Art & Nature Retreat Suite Near Mountains, Airport & University of TN

Your own outdoor patio overlooking the creek with private entry to a charming apartment with ample parking and easy level walk from parking pad to patio. Unique and colorful, this retreat and it's original art has inspired the many artists, musicians, authors and nature-lovers who have stayed here. Enjoy the park like setting 12 min. from Airport, 15 min. from Univ of TN, 40 min. from Smoky Mountains. Your home away from home is lovingly maintained and scrupulously cleaned

I have hosted hundreds of people and many artists and writers who have retreated at my place for inspiration. I have housed medical students in residency, families of students attending the University of TN, many folks nearing retirement looking for property in the area, traveling nurses, quarry consultants from Italy, millwork artisans, artists for FanBoy Expo in July, band members traveling to town to play, bands who have played at Big Ear's Festival in March, actors being filmed in area for movies, film makers, authors for writer retreats, artists for inspiration and local shows or attendees of Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, business travelers, extended family visiting the area, stop overs for long distance travelers, production team members filming in the area, videographers, photographers, composer of an opera (I bought tickets and attended! He and his wife have come several times), honeymooners, spring/fall/winter break students, family reunions, friend reunions, even a cool eclipse chaser from England who told me how her Jewish parents met in a Nazi concentration camp in Poland! I have been so fortunate to host the most amazing people from ALL OVER THE WORLD to share their stories from their life journeys with me. I am so blessed to be a host.

The Casteel Branch house is located beside a spring fed creek called the Casteel Branch in the foothills of the Smokies. Our yard is a park-like setting. Be sure to take time to enjoy the birds, sit by the babbling creek, rest in one of the hammocks, sit outside on the patio surrounded with shabby chic fairy lights, enjoy the moments you have here in tranquility.


This listing is for a basement mother in law apartment that comfortably sleeps two, but could accommodate 5 people. I reside in home above this apartment.

I have added a new oven, dishwasher, new task lighting in the kitchen. I have also added a new charcoal grill out on the patio.

There is a very comfortable Queen mattress in the apartment bedroom with plenty of dressers. The queen bed has two Wheat Dreams Queen Pillows – 20” x 30” (Cotton Zippered Shell Filled with Organic Buckwheat – Made in USA) $100 each pillow ~ Pillow Tip: You can carve out a comfy little “ear hole” when you’re sleeping on your side / provides versatile, flexible support that conforms to your head and neck contours. Pillow is properly filled no more than 2/3 volume so there is room for shaping. Each is covered with a UltraPlush Premium Waterproof Pillow Protector – (Hypoallergenic and Bed Bug Proof Zippered Pillow Case in Super Soft and Quiet Queen 20”x 30”) $25 each pillow cover. I have tried to invest for your proper rest. I also added two Adjustable Foldable Bed Desks for Laptop, Reading and Writing. I have a small tv with a Smart DVD player in the bedroom. And I can provide up to 3 white waffled robes for added comfort.

For cleaning during your stay, since I do offer monthly discount ~ I have provided a vacuum, broom, Swiffer, bar keepers friend, sanitizing wipes, toilet brush and cleaner, etc. We also have an iron and small ironing board in bedroom linen closet along with a counter top washing machine (bring your laundry soap) and I have clothes pins if you want to line dry items.

Off of the bedroom is a closet nook with a single bed that has a touch of whimsy (a favorite of my 4 grown children and all of my college guests). I painted a mural of mountains on the walls of this room, added hot air balloon lights, and LED lights, and included a sleep machine, reading light, and a fan for a magical get away. The twin in this offset from main bedroom is small and packed with pillows cased in bright fantastical colored covers.

In the sitting room there is a small retro chrome dining room set and one twin daybed with another twin trundle that rolls out into room. And I have a 43" 4K Ultra HD Smart Roku LED TV in the sitting room with Xfinity cable.
There is one full bath and a small foyer area outside the bathroom with a large lighted mirror and a small dresser upon which you will find a hair dryer and curling iron. We have provided an initial supply of toilet paper along with a few extra rolls, but these may not be enough for your entire stay and you may need to purchase additional supplies.


There is a small galley kitchen with small apartment sized refrigerator with small freezer, dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee pot, plates, silverware, pots/pans, etc. for your use. I have cutting board, cookie sheets, pizza pan, pizza slicer, cake/muffin/pie pan, wok, crock pot, blender, colander, mixing bowls, etc. Paper towels and dish soap and coffee and filters are provided to get you started (maybe not enough for your entire stay)~ as well as spices and things left by other thoughtful guests.

The basement patio is for you to enjoy. We have STRONG wifi. There are plenty of games and books for your leisure. Many guests have taken pillows and blankets and books out to enjoy the hammocks in the yard for a restful time. Outside on my lawn guests have had picnics, played frisbee golf, played games, lounged in the hammocks, had children play in the creek, and just really enjoyed being surrounded by nature. Bird watching is great from the patio too!

We have a travel map for you to place a pin where you are from! You will be amazed to see how many travelers have found refuge at our place ~ they have brought their cosmopolitan flare from all over the world to our East TN home!

I have added about 50 books on the greater Knoxville area and they are marked as my permanent collection to stay for all guests. You can read about the city, Cades Cove, Elkmont, The Walker Sisters, local history, Indian history of the area, about local logging and marble quarries, ghost stories, disappearances in the Smoky Mountains, books on hiking, local cook books, and biographical books. Also, I figured most would not go to Visitor Centers to purchase maps and information about Auto Tours of the Great Smoky Mountains. I have purchased these and labeled them to stay in my apartment for all guests to access (replacement fees will be as follows if missing after your stay), but for your planning purposes I have included these in a welcome bucket:

*Tennessee Treks: The Wayward Travelers Guide to Waterfalls & Back Roads of Tennessee (over 100 waterfalls, swimming Holes, Camping Spots, and Scenic Drives) ($10)
*Day Hikes In & Around Cades Cove/ Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Newfound Gap Road (auto tour) Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Roaring Fork (auto tour) Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Tremont Logging History (auto tour) Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Cades Cove Tour / Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Clingmans Dome / Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)
*Great Smoky Mountains Trail Map ($2)
*Water-Falls of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park ($2)

FREE ONLINE Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour of Knoxville (1 hour)
Search: "things-to-do/tours/cradle-of-country-music"

FREE ONLINE Knoxville History Driving Tours:
Search: "Knoxville History Project Historic Knoxville Driving Tours"


Civil War divided this area.
Search: "Knoxville History Project Civil War"
Search: "civilwartrails"
Search: "Tenn_PDF-mapguide"
Search: "KCWRT/Welcome_files/Driving"

Right down the road (0.3 miles) is the bridge over Stock Creek (Present Day Volunteer Cove Marina where you can rent jet skis and pontoons) where a skirmish had occurred during the Civil War. Search "Dorothy E Kelly The Civil War in Blount County" from blog posted June 11, 2016 to read about the details. Many use metal detectors in and around the waterways to find relics from the Civil War around here.

I do have a business license, remit taxes, and am properly insured. I have smoke alarms, fire extinguishers (One designated for kitchen and another in living room), in bedroom there is a fire Extinguishing Spray in Aerosol Spray Can, Stove Top Fire Stops, carbon monoxide alarm in the apartment. So far I have had a most wonderful experience hosting travelers from around the world.