Nestled quietly in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains lies Ellijay, Georgia—a peaceful town rich in wildlife, winding mountain streams, and outdoor adventure. Known fondly as the Apple Capital of Georgia, this historic county seat boasts a vibrant downtown filled with antique shops, local art galleries, and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
But Ellijay is also home to something else truly spectacular: the birthplace of Northern Georgia’s most admired custom home builders, Modern Rustic Homes.
Over 40 Years of Vision and Craftsmanship
Co-owners Michael Grant and Joe Dixon partnered together decades ago to create a unique design-build business model built entirely around turning a client’s dream into a tangible reality. Together, they bring over 40 years of combined industry experience to the luxury home market.
For Michael Grant, design is a lifelong calling.
“I grew up walking job sites with my father who was a carpenter,” Michael recalls. “I remember very well at the age of five picking up nails and watching these homes being built. I realized early on that I had a passion for the whole design-build process.”
Joe Dixon discovered his own passion for construction during high school while watching his father fully remodel their family home. This deep appreciation for framing, structure, and execution drove Joe to start his first construction company in Massachusetts back in 1984. Today, his meticulous eye handles project management and structural engineering, mastering conventional, log, hybrid, and timber frame builds.
The Collaborative Design-Build Process
What truly sets Modern Rustic Homes apart is their fluid, communicative design-build approach. Instead of separating the architect from the contractor, Michael and Joe bring both worlds under one roof.
The process begins by mapping out the client’s ultimate wishlist:
- Spatial Order: Evaluating room adjacencies, spatial volumes, and sightlines.
- Textural Balance: Harmonizing patterns, textures, and structural layouts so the home inherently feels right.
- Craftsmanship Focus: Utilizing heavy timber rafters, exposed beams, and intricate joinery that remain visible for a lifetime.
To ensure pristine execution, Modern Rustic Homes utilizes a dual-superintendent system. A front-end superintendent guides the client through daily milestones up to a specific phase, where a dedicated finishing superintendent seamlessly takes over to monitor fine details through completion.
Embracing the Hybrid Style & Sustainability
While they build everything from traditional log homes to classic timber frames, their most popular style is the hybrid home. These structures combine the predictability and insulation of conventional framing with heavy timber accents, rough-sawn lap siding, shiplap, stonework, and custom metalsmithing.
Furthermore, Modern Rustic Homes designs with the future in mind, prioritizing two crucial structural elements:
- Energy Efficiency: Carefully angling the home to take advantage of passive solar gain, alongside high-performance insulation, windows, and doors.
- Low-Maintenance Materials: Creating a strategic blend of natural and high-grade synthetic materials to drastically reduce long-term upkeep.
Hearing From the Homeowners
The true measure of a luxury builder is the satisfaction of those who live in their creations.
When Rich and Susan Haydale decided to move to North Georgia to be closer to family, they discovered an abandoned, unfinished build. Michael Grant instantly saw it as a “diamond in the rough” with excellent structural bones. Today, it stands transformed into a magnificent family retreat, complete with custom Mountain Laurel hand-cut and woven into the architecture by local craftsmen.
Similarly, Scott and Kathy Solomon hired the team to execute a highly complex luxury build on a steep incline overlooking a lake in Johns Creek.
“Everything was built with quality materials and built in a quality way,” Scott notes. “You can just feel it when you walk into our home. It’s clean and contemporary, yet rustic at the same time.”
Bringing Your Vision to Life
Whether you want to build in the bustling northern suburbs of Atlanta—like Alpharetta, Milton, or Johns Creek—or escape completely to the peaceful peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Modern Rustic Homes simplifies the journey. With one point of contact, you get answers to your real estate, design, and construction questions in a single phone call.
Ready to build your masterpiece in North Georgia?
- Phone: 706-273-7140
- Website: Modern Rustic Homes