TAFT, Tennessee – The mountain home of artist Connie Ulrich, tucked in the rolling hills of southern Tennessee, is equal parts rustic and refined.

Exposed beams made from local poplar play nicely with Ulrich's collection of fine art; a woodburning stove is surrounded by reclaimed tile; natural materials from the property were used to create unique architectural elements like ledges and bannisters.

Ulrich built the 1,200-square-foot board-and-batten home on 27 acres in 2003. She had been searching for a serene retreat.

"I love peace and quiet and solitude," said Ulrich. "I chose the land because I couldn't see any other houses from it. It's very peaceful and rejuvenating."

She traded her cows for the lumber to build the home, and then acted as her own contractor during the process.

"This house was a lesson in patience," admitted Ulrich. "But I love coming up with ideas for how to utilize space. I thought about the house's layout, right down to the direction the door swings to make it easier to bring in wood for the stove.

"I think I missed my calling as an architect," she joked.

Artist at work

Ulrich is in fact a jewelry designer, and her pieces echo the home's aesthetic in many ways. Her handmade jewelry draws from her love of the natural world, juxtaposing fine materials like gold, diamonds and platinum with pebbles, rusted steel and other found objects.

Ulrich's 35-year career has included exhibitions at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C. and several best-of-show awards at regional art and craft shows. About three years ago, she moved her full studio to Lowe Mill in Huntsville, where she concentrates on designing and fabricating her jewelry, and offering classes and workshops.

Now that her work keeps her tied more closely to town, she finds herself spending more time at her home in Huntsville's Five Points neighborhood.

But her serene mountain farm still offers an escape and a way to draw inspiration for her art.

Refined and reclaimed

A wall of nearly floor-to-ceiling windows allows light to flood the open main level of Ulrich's home. A collection of birdfeeders hang in the windows, suspended from the balcony above.

Inside, wall colors like mint green, lavender and sunny yellow provide a backdrop for Ulrich's collection of art.

"The walls are painted colors from nature," said Ulrich. "All my life I was afraid of painting walls. I thought they had to be off-white to showcase the art."

Much of the home is furnished with reclaimed objects. The tiny kitchen boasts a true farmhouse sink that came from a friend's grandmother; she found her open kitchen shelving in front of an old mechanic's shop in Twickenham while she was out walking her dog. Her father made a kitchen cabinet from old textile drawers.

"I just made up my kitchen with things I had," said Ulrich. "It's a very workable kitchen. I do like to cook, and I like to experiment."

In the home's entryway, antique 1930s chandelier and sconces – reclaimed from her childhood home – illuminate a set of stairs outfitted with a bannister made from a walnut tree she cut down on her property.

The second level is where the master suite was originally planned to be; Ulrich decided to move her bedroom downstairs when she realized her aging dog wasn't able to make the trip up and down stairs.

But upstairs is now used as a guest suite and yoga space; it opens onto a wide balcony that looks out over the tree line. Ulrich said she has often slept on the porch, even in cold weather, because the view is beautiful and she could see all the stars.

A place for everything

The property also has a guest house, which Ulrich rents out, and her workshop, which houses her studio and metal-working equipment.

There's even a tiny "junkyard" out behind the shop, neatly organized – she calls it her library – where she stores found objects she uses to make the occasional sculpture. The library might hold anything from old metal bedsteads to used Freon tanks.

When she gets time away from town, Ulrich likes to bring her dogs with her to her retreat. They enjoy exploring the network of trails on the property, or relaxing in the hammock by the creek.

"We like to get out," she said, "and just take it all in."