Story by Lindsay Hughes
Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
Perched on a lakefront lot at Tennessee National, David O’Block and Trish Trimble’s home was designed to support the way they live with family close, doors open and time divided between indoor gathering spaces and outdoor living.
David’s connection to Tennessee National began through golf. “I’ve always loved the course,” he says. It wasn’t until new ownership expanded amenities and development accelerated during the early months of the pandemic that the couple seriously considered building. “We both love the lake,” Trish adds, “so when the opportunity came up, it just made sense.”
They purchased a lakefront lot and began planning a home that reflected how they live. The resulting design features an open floor plan with a walkout basement, expansive outdoor living areas and a pool, elements that allow the home to shift with the seasons. Weekly gatherings with Trish’s son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren are central to their routine. “In the winter, we’re usually downstairs in the game room,” Trish says. “When it’s warm, we’re outside by the pool. We really use every space in the house, it just depends on the weather.”
Entertaining is intentionally relaxed. “We want people to feel comfortable and move freely throughout the house,” David explains. That mindset influenced both layout and amenities. For David, the wish list was extensive: a walkout basement, game room, golf simulator, wine cellar, bar, spa, pool, grilling areas and multiple outdoor living spaces. With so many entertaining spaces, David enlisted the help of Andrew Barnett with Eargasm Audio/Video to ensure the home was well equipped with Wi-Fi and TVs to meet the family’s needs. Trish focused on architectural details that would bring warmth and continuity, including a brick barrel ceiling in the kitchen and gas lanterns on the front porch. “Those were things I knew I wanted if we ever built again,” she says, referencing a home they admired years earlier.
While the couple’s previous lake home leaned rustic, this build marked a stylistic shift. Working with architect and longtime builder Ray Keeney of Ray Keeney Custom Homes, who had built their prior home more than a decade earlier, they expanded the basement footprint and refined the home’s connection to the outdoors. The final result is a transitional modern design with a black-and-white exterior. “If you’d told us five years ago we’d build a black-and-white house, we would have said you were crazy,” Trish admits.
Design inspiration came from several sources, including time spent at a seasonal home on Florida’s Gulf Coast and months of research during the planning phase. Collaboration was key. Interior designer Katie Simpson of Lady Katie Creations played a central role in refining finishes and guiding decisions. “We called Katie our mediator,” Trish laughs. “If David and I couldn’t agree, she helped us see it another way or made the final call.”
Local artisans contributed custom elements throughout the home. Venetian plaster walls by A New Hue add texture and depth, while metalwork by Aspyre Metals appears in features such as the range hood and fireplace details. Brick ceilings, brick risers, custom railings and detailed tile work provide continuity across levels. “The plastered walls still amaze me,” Trish notes. “The primary bedroom looks like leather, and the basement TV wall feels like metal.”
The home’s layout is intentional to provide a welcoming atmosphere. From the front door, much of the main level is visible at once, with the lake view anchoring the space beyond. Downstairs, the basement opens directly to the pool, linking the bar, wine room, game tables and family room to the outdoors. “Walking down the stairs into the basement is probably my favorite,” David says. “You see the pool and the pool house, it’s calming.”
One feature that evolved beyond its original scope is the pool house. Initially planned as a functional structure to house equipment, it became a destination. “Ray asked where we were going to put the pool equipment,” David recalls. “I went on Pinterest and decided, ‘Go big or go home.’” The finished structure includes a wood-burning fireplace, multiple televisions, grilling and refrigeration areas, storage and generous seating. “It wasn’t even part of the original plan,” she says, “and now it’s one of my favorite spaces.”
For David and Trish, home is less about making a statement and more about creating a feeling. “Home is a sanctuary,” Trish says. “It’s where we find comfort.” David agrees, adding that the home allows them to enjoy the result of years of planning and effort. “It gives us space to relax and be together,” he says. “That was always the goal.” The home is already fulfilling its purpose, adapting to seasons, welcoming guests and supporting everyday life on the lake.