They say that the third time’s the charm. Homeowners Deborah and John Wilson certainly hope so.
“This makes our third house on Youngs Road in the past 14 years,” says Deborah Wilson of the home they call Sunninghill, “and this is going to be the last one. We’re satisfied.”
The Wilson home is among those on the 54th Southern Pines Garden Club Home & Garden Tour scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The brick home, set back from the road, was completed in August.
“Our contractor was Alan Walters,” says Wilson. “Everyone who worked on the house was local.”
The approach gravel drive lined with curving bricks anchors the front of the property. The combination of a natural and manicured landscape makes a pleasing picture between the house and horse barn.Upon entering the home, the airy, high-ceilinged rooms draw the eye to the spacious terrace with its creative fountain and expansive view of the property.
Using greens and beiges of different intensities, the Wilsons have created a warm and cozy atmosphere for both themselves and visitors.The drawing room to the right of the dramatic foyer entrance is the heart of the house. A player grand piano helps fill that space. A vaulted ceiling opens to the second floor gallery and landing, creating a soaring space. The upstairs loft provides a perfect gathering space for guests with its game table.
Off the drawing room is a library that features a faux paint finish that so closely resembles cherry paneling that it’s hard to tell the difference.
“Arabesque is responsible for that fine work,” says Wilson.
A small bar and a half-bath are close by. The master bedroom boasts a view of the back of the property as well as the terrace and is dominated by a double-motor fan and the huge mirror over the chest.
“We saw the mirror and liked it and decided to buy the whole bedroom suite,” says Wilson.
The his and hers master bath features a cast of a French soaking tub for Deborah Wilson and a steam bath that has two entrances.
The Wilsons have taken their three cats (from the animal shelter) and four dogs (all Labradors) into consideration in selecting flooring for the house.
“We wanted something easy to keep clean because we do let our pets have the run of the place,” says Wilson. “That’s why we selected tiles and hardwood for much of the house.”
The great room, with kitchen, has an enormous cathedral ceiling and specially designed roof trusses that support the large span of open space. A double motor fan is also used in this room.
The expansive kitchen features a restaurant-style range and plenty of custom-made cabinets as well as a nook for a table and chairs.
“John is the cook in our family,” says Wilson.
The dining room also has a high ceiling. The walls are lined by art by local artists such as Meredith Maartens.
“There are so many good local artists,” says Wilson.
A spacious laundry room can be found off the kitchen. A short hall leads to the garage as well as to the stairs to Deborah Wilson’s home office.
“I am a teacher at Sandhills Community College and teach most of my courses on-line,” she says. “John is an investment banker.”
Upstairs are two bedrooms and two baths for use by visiting family members and guests. The bathrooms feature upper walls of the same material used for outside masonry with beaded board for the lower walls.
“The larger bedroom has the smaller bath and the smaller one, the big bath,” says Wilson.
“I wanted something with texture in the bathrooms and you can get this product in just about any color you want,” says Wilson. “I didn’t want any more wallpaper.”
Throughout the home, unique and intriguing accessories and collections create a special, whimsical touch.
Other homes on this year’s tour include those of Dr. and Mrs. Antonios Karamalegos, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Conley Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Casey and Mrs. David Jones.The proceeds from the tour benefit several local beautification and restoration projects as well as a scholarship to the horticultural program at Sandhills Community College. Last year, the club gave monies to the Town of Southern Pines for the swimming pool and park on Henley Street, plantings for Weymouth, Bethany House and Habitat for Humanity as well as Southern Pines Elementary and Primary Schools, Episcopal Day School and The O’Neal School.
This year’s tour co-chairmen are Holly Floyd and Jody Mincey.
Advance tickets for the tour may be purchased for $15 at the Campbell House and the Country Bookshop in Southern Pines or the Gentleman’s Corner in Pinehurst as well as on the Web site, www.southernpinesgardenclub.org.
Tickets are $20 on the day of the show and will be available at any of the homes on the tour.
