The Carolina Vineyard

*Please Note; The following story is based upon my personal Dream House Pursuits. You can find some of my dream ideas on Pinterest (my other house boards are secret! :) Just saying!)*

IF there is one thing that Bebe knew for certain, it is what her dream house looked like. She dreamt and designed the home so many times; updating it with the newest gadgets and finds that she’d come across while reading, surfing the net, on Pinterest; while designing its many rooms using the app, Design Home. She even named her dream house!—The Carolina Vineyard; A combination of two favorite places, Martha’s Vineyard and South Carolina, where she spent time as a child. Her dream house is a beautiful, majestic, modern Farmhouse, painted a soft buttercup yellow, with mahogany porches, and double wood doors with adorning hurricane light sconces on either side. It was set on twenty-two acres of land. It had a wraparound porch, set on a cobblestone foundation, that housed an underground cellar the entire length and width of the 8,000 square feet Farmhouse.

Moving back home held a lot of sentiment for Bebe. This year’s town celebration was going to be held at the old Martin place—which was now her place. Twenty-Two acres of the most gorgeous lush land, located near the County line. It was another parcel of land that maintained its original grandeur.

The old farmhouse was renovated exactly how Bebe pictured it; keeping much of its charm, using pictures of the property in its prime, that the previous owner’s daughter had given her after the sale.

Restoration had gone longer than expected, but was well worth it. A traditional farmhouse with tall ceilings and original dark mahogany floors and separate rooms. Bebe had most of the walls torn down to open up the space and had the floors restored and stained to perfection. The kitchen was completely gutted and transformed with white cabinets, gray and white marble countertops, an eight-foot island on a dark charcoal gray base, that had refrigerator compartments throughout, a second small sink, seating for six, and pendant lighting. There was a six-burner Viking cooktop and double convection ovens. Stainless-steel appliances complimented the aesthetics of the antique white and gray scheme. There was an enormous walk in pantry with another refrigerator and freezer, a mud room, and the laundry room off a butler’s kitchen.

The breakfast nook held a large farmhouse table, with built-in window seating. French doors were added, that led to the added outside kitchen and one of the new seating areas with a pergola.

Bebe could see the many card games being played around the handcrafted Mahogany Watson table. Down the steps was a landscaped stone walkway that led to an inground pool, and pool house with a full gym. That was another added feature on Bebe’s must have list.

Back inside, a grand living room with a wood-burning fireplace was a warm welcome. The colors in the downstairs rooms, with the exception of the master suite, and kitchen, were painted a neutral Wilmington tan, with antique white wainscoting one third way up the walls. The dark mahogany floors, reminiscent of dark chocolate, played nicely against the lighter colors. The use of stylish throw and area rugs, added charm to the space.

The office held custom built oak cabinets and shelves that contrasted nicely with French vanilla walls and cream-colored area rugs. It added to the room’s warmth, as did the brick fireplace, painted the same French vanilla. The picture window was complete with plantation shutters, and built-in window seat.

The dining room was large enough to seat sixteen people comfortably, opened to the family room, which boasted comfy plush sectionals with a chaise, large pillows, and a sliding wall of windows that retracted into the walls and opened to the side deck with extra seating and a fire pit. This side of the house faced the big red barn and lake, that would be the central location of the weekend festivities.

Completing the rooms on the first floor was the Main suite, a sun room, and a guest room. Bebe had two additional bathrooms added and a new powder room. Upstairs, there were five large bedrooms, and a second master suite. Each of the other four bedrooms shared Jack and Jill bathrooms, both bedrooms on opposite sides of the hall.

The home was exquisite. The new open floor plan and floor to ceiling windows, allowed sunlight throughout. The entire outside of the house was painted a soft buttercup yellow with white trim and white Plantation shutters. The wrap around porch was refurbished, as was the grand, curved staircase that greeted you when you walked in the front doors. Double mahogany doors made the home warm and inviting and definitely easy to get the furniture inside. Hurricane lanterns were used as sources of light on either side of the front doors and strategically placed around the house.

Bebe walk through her home with awe and tears burning her throat. The rest of the furniture would be delivered in a day. Carpet was put where she wanted. Curtains were hung. The kitchen, dining room, family room were all furnished, as well as the Master suite and the guest room. She could hardly believe this was where she was going to live and one day raise a family. A smile, as bright as the sun, lit up her face. This morning she woke up and felt a little flutter in her belly. She could hardly believe that her dreams were coming true.

Standing in her Master suite, Bebe was happy with her choices. She did not want it to be too feminine so she chose an icy gray for the walls with cream colored crown molding, that complimented the dark hard wood floors. The King-sized bed was decorated with navy, cream, and gray pillows, white cotton linen, and a navy comforter with a velvet gray throw. At the foot was a Watson custom-made bench with storage, with a tufted cushion. Area rugs brought the whole motif together. There was a sitting area in front of the two-sided fireplace that led to the luxurious master bath. She smiled to herself, imagining the fun she was going to have in that glorious soaking tub and walk in shower, large enough for six people!

Yes, she had gone quite extravagant with her designs but she knew this was going to be her forever home and she wanted to have a place large enough for her family and friends. At the time, when she gave the lead Contractor, her specifications, having her own children wasn’t a thought. She was thinking about her friends and all the god children she would have. She wanted her home to be welcoming and fun.

As she walked throughout the house, taking stock of everything, her stomach rumbled. Looking at her watch, it was half past ten. Had she really been there for over an hour already?

Patting her stomach, Bebe spoke aloud, “I got a nice chicken and avocado sandwich waiting, with some thick cut peppered bacon. That should do the trick!”

Ever since passing out, and having dizzy spells a few months ago, her family and friends were adamant about her diet and making sure she ate. Even little Bella, her friend’s daughter, was in on making sure she ate, wanting to share her cookies with her so she would not be sick anymore. It was just the stress of moving and wanting her dream home to be finished. She stupidly skipped too many meals and drank to many diet sodas on an empty stomach.

Bebe smiled, remembering the awe on the little girl’s face when she’d given everyone a tour before the furniture came. She understood Bella’s urge to run around. That is exactly what she’d done the first time, when she had came alone. It was a dream come true for Bebe. Her dream house was complete.

Getting her sandwich from the refrigerator and a bottle of water, Bebe sat down at the table on the back deck off the kitchen. She lifted her face towards the sun, closing her eyes for a moment, smiling as the warmth of the sun’s rays warmed her skin. It wasn’t too hot yet, but it would be another scorcher today. Close to a 100 Degrees. It was supposed to be hot all week, including this weekend for the festivities. Taking a huge bite of her sandwich, she smiled wide. She was home. Finally home in her dream house. A place she had dreamt of all her life, was now a reality.

©Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.