Exterior designer Raleigh Adams draws both his creative spark and the raw materials for his work from the forested slopes that surround his home in the North Carolina mountains.
Early roots in Boone shape a lifelong love of the outdoors
Adams grew up in Boone, where the woods served as a playground of bike rides, firefly hunting and jumps into natural pools. His father, a golf professional at the local club, taught him the game, while his mother encouraged an appreciation for fresh produce and the aesthetics of cooking. Those childhood experiences led the teen to a summer job at the golf course, where he first encountered curated setting design. This blend of wilderness and order continues to influence the pieces he creates today.
From forest hunt to finished object
Adams says each work begins with a “hunt in the Appalachian forest for the perfect tree.” He selects bark, kiln‑dries it and builds objects from scratch, avoiding molds to keep every piece unique. The designer cites architect Henry Bacon, known for the Lincoln Memorial and the chestnut bark shingles of Linville, as a touchstone. Since chestnut blight eliminated those trees, he now favors poplar bark for his planter boxes and mirrors, aiming to marry classic proportions with natural forms.
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His process reflects a broader view of outdoor spaces as stage sets, a perspective sharpened during a stint as a struggling actor in Hollywood. While working for a setting firm there, he encountered a range of styles brought by a diverse clientele. He also admires Billy Haines, a former actor turned decorator whose work blends Southern elegance with a hint of California cool. This eclectic background informs the way he approaches each new design.
In a recent interview, Adams mentioned he often retreats to the woods alone, without a cell phone, to let ideas surface. “I always get my best ideas alone in the woods without my cell phone,” he said, highlighting the importance of solitude in his creative rhythm.
The designer also adopts the Japanese notion of 72 micro‑seasons, noting that constant change fuels his imagination. “Life is fleeting, and we should all take time to appreciate nature with that level of close attention,” he explained, linking the passage of time to his artistic output.
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Adams continues to share his work on social platforms, likening Instagram to cinema and Facebook to theater. He acknowledges the distraction of constant connectivity but argues that a savvy artist can turn technology into another medium. “Andy Warhol would certainly revel in it if alive today,” he noted, suggesting that his online presence is an extension of his artistic practice.
His work speaks.
