Field Story: John King’s Appalachian Retreat

A first look at John King’s Appalachian home during construction. The completed project will be featured in a full project profile.

Tucked into the rolling ridgelines of the Appalachian Mountains, country music artist John King’s new family home is more than a residence; it is a return to where his story began. Designed as a modern mountain retreat with deep ties to heritage, the home balances openness and strength, warmth, and precision. Behind the scenes, that balance is made possible by a floor system engineered to support both ambitious design and everyday life: TrimJoist®.

Part 1 of John’s build offers a from-the-field look at the project as it progresses, with a complete project profile to follow once construction is finalized.

Returning Home to Build Something Lasting

For John King and his wife, the decision to build in the Appalachians was personal. Both were raised in the mountains, and the dream of returning, this time with their own family, had been quietly taking shape for years.

“We wanted our girls to have land and room to roam,” King explains. “Building here felt like coming full circle.”

The goal was a home that felt rooted in its surroundings while supporting a modern lifestyle—one that offered space to gather, create, and grow. From the earliest planning stages, the project called for thoughtful design choices that could honor the landscape without limiting what the home could become.

A Mountain-Modern Vision Shaped by Nature

The architectural vision centered on a mountain-modern aesthetic: tall ceilings, generous natural light, and an exterior that blends seamlessly into the surrounding terrain. Large window walls frame the views, while open living spaces create a sense of flow between indoors and out.

For King, whose career often takes him on the road, the mountains offer clarity and inspiration. Nature plays a quiet but constant role in his creative process, influencing both the feel of the home and life unfolding inside it.

“This land has always been a retreat for me,” he says. “It’s where a lot of my ideas come from.”

That connection to place shaped everything from layout to material choices and demanded a structural system that could support the home’s openness without compromise.

Structural Demands Beneath the Design

While the home’s aesthetic is calm and understated, the structural requirements were anything but simple. Long spans were needed across both the basement and main level to achieve open living areas. Vaulted ceilings and a substantial kitchen island added significant load considerations. At the same time, the design required flexibility to route HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems cleanly throughout the floor cavity.

Future plans added another layer of complexity: a dedicated recording studio on the property, designed to support creative work without sacrificing comfort or performance elsewhere in the home.

The project needed a floor system that could do more than meet specifications; it had to adapt.

Why TrimJoist Was the Right Choice

TrimJoist entered the picture through a trusted recommendation. King was introduced to the brand by builder and designer Chip Wade, whose firsthand experience with the system carried weight.

From the outset, TrimJoist stood out for its practicality on the jobsite. The open-web design allowed mechanical trades to work efficiently without excessive drilling or rerouting. Long-span capability supported the home’s open layout and heavy loads with confidence. And the trimmable ends gave the framing team flexibility to adjust on site without slowing progress or compromising structural integrity.

“I was blown away by how easy the joists were to work with,” King recalls. “That flexibility made a big difference.”

Built for Builders—and Appreciated by Crews

The framing team echoed that sentiment. Throughout the build, installers noted how straightforward the system was to handle and install. Adjustments were simple. Coordination between trades was seamless. Work proceeded smoothly and on schedule.

For builders and framers, TrimJoist’s reliability translated into efficiency—an increasingly valuable advantage on complex residential projects where timelines and precision matter.

An American-Made Story That Matters

Beyond performance, Trimjoist’s commitment to domestic manufacturing resonated deeply with the project’s values. As a “100% Built in America” product, the system aligned naturally with King’s desire to support U.S.-made brands and American workers.

“I love supporting companies that create jobs here at home,” he says. “That mattered to us.”

That shared value adds another layer of meaning to the build, connecting craftsmanship, community, and long-term investment in quality.

Looking Ahead: A Dream Home and a Creative Future

As construction progresses, the home is already representing a new chapter for the King family—one rooted in the same mountains that shaped their past. It is being built as a place to raise their daughters, gather with loved ones, and create lasting memories.

It is also a place of creativity. With plans underway for the on-property recording studio, King envisions completing and releasing new music inspired by the very land surrounding the home, blending family life and creative work in one setting.

“We’re incredibly grateful,” he reflects. “This home is a dream come true.

Built to Support What Comes Next

This Appalachian retreat is a testament to what’s possible when thoughtful design meets a structural system built for real-world demands. With TrimJoist supporting the structure beneath it all, the home is coming together with openness and strength that supports both everyday living and future ambitions.

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