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| Winston-Salem; Davie County; Advance; Lewisville; Clemmons |
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Whispering Oaks Lane is impressively symmetrical: each side of the house has functional fireplaces, and the rooms on each of the upper and main level floors are accessed from a central hallway. In the planning stages of this home, the Sellers wished to add a third floor with roof dormers; hence, the fireplaces were moved to either end of the home, with wings being added to each side of the design, inspired by those at Carters Grove Plantation on the James River in Virginia. These wings would house the attached garage, screened porches, and other modern-day conveniences essential in contemporary construction. The exterior of the home exhibits essentially the same features as The Wythe House: the exterior is tumbled oversized brick, and vertically-set bull-nosed brick trim separates the first and second floors. True divided light windows throughout the home contribute to the warmth and understated elegance of the property.
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Interior Shutter and Window Design
Meticulous attention to detail and the re-creation of the Federalist design period was of the utmost importance to the Sellers. One example is specific to the interior window and shutter design found in revolutionary-period fine homes. The wall thickness (approximately 18 inches) was sufficient to disguise interior shutters, the raised panels of which folded either across the windows or out of sight into the windows. In order to achieve this end, all walls were double-studded.
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Hand-Forged & Custom-Crafted Lighting
All lighting fixtures are handcrafted, having been forged by craftsmen from Lamplighter in Williamsburg, VA. All hanging fixtures inside the home are suspended by a tubular hook, which essentially serves to hide the electrical wiring from sight. In addition, hand-crafted gas lanterns are located at key exterior points: two fixtures flank the grand entry, as well two fixtures adorning the entrance to the breezeway and the attached garage entry, respectively. The post lantern in the herb garden was also created by Lamplighter. These fixtures are both historically correct and aesthetically pleasing.
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Flooring
Flooring on the first, second and third levels is old-growth eastern pine, with floor boards ranging from 8” to 21” wide. These timbers are harvested selectively from private stands of large old growth white pines, and are prized for their even grain striations, unique knotting, and warm caramel coloring. The wide plank flooring was supplied by Carlisle Restoration Lumber in Stoddard, New Hampshire. All hardwood flooring is nailed with rectangular historic reproduction nails in the pattern standard of the period. Brick pavers were used in the lower level; These pavers were custom-selected for their handmade appearance. The Sellers carried the use of the brick pavers over into exterior living areas, including the veranda and the screened porch.
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Interior Cabinetry and Custom-Crafted Mantels
The craftsmanship, quality and details of the cabinetry are unique, and likely unequaled in any other residence. All cabinetry, hardware, mantels and finishes were carefully chosen and constructed in a concerted effort to maintain the historic and artistic integrity of the Federalist era. All cabinetry in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms was produced by The Kennebec Company in Bath, Maine. The cabinetry is solid wood, and rectangular historic reproduction nails were used. Although the kitchen cabinets were stained, the cabinetry in the laundry room and five (5) bathrooms was painted both inside and out in historic period colors. Cabinet tops are made from imported South American solid black soapstone. Further, the kitchen cabinetry was custom-designed by the Sellers, who worked closely in conjunction with Kennebec’s craftsmen to develop special ‘hideaway’ and storage features. The custom mantels in the home are all period reproductions, having been hand-crafted by Paul Mundt. The wet bar in the basement is a replica of a Cage Bar found in Williamsburg, VA; the bar was used throughout the 1700’s in taverns and places of rest for travelers and partakers of ‘spirits and the occasional smoking of tobacco.’
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Ceiling Heights, Closets, Windows and Elevator
Ceiling heights in the home range from 9’ (on the second and third levels) to 10’ (on the main level.) Solid wood doors are 8’ high, with overhead transoms over exterior doors, as well as many interior openings. All closets are large, with custom-designed shelves, rods, and systems of organization. All windows are high-end Pella products, and are true “divided light” windows. The residence has a built-in ‘state of the art’ solid panel interior elevator for easy access to all levels of the home. In order to maintain the colonial ambiance of the residence, the access door for each floor consists of a raised panel door in the same style of those doors used throughout the remainder of the home.
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Audio, Video, Computer, Telephone, Security, & Satellite Systems
The home contains ‘state of the art’ audiovisual and technology systems, custom installed by Ron Swartz of Audio Video One in Winston-Salem, NC. The residence was pre-wired for audio in selected rooms and for the exterior patio, porches and terraces. The family room, bedrooms and exercise room have flat-screen televisions, the majority of which are contained within custom-built cabinetry with remote control infrared receivers in each room housing the satellite, DVD, & VCR systems. All TVs are hidden within the cabinetry behind doors in a manner that serves to maintain the colonial ambiance of each room. The Escient system controls both remote and wired systems & devices. Four satellite dishes provide separate satellite programming, with the Master Bedroom having a free-standing system. The security system assures close monitoring of all necessary elements. The recreation/play room in the lower level of the home also serves as the home theatre/media center. All speakers are hidden behind either the walls, housed either in period cabinets or in the ceiling. Upon remote command, the system may be powered on to open from the ceiling, at which time a large theatre-sized screen presents, while the Ronco Home Theatre room projector lowers itself electronically from overhead. In addition, light control systems signal lighting to automatically dim. Further, all rooms where cable television, video, security, and/or computers were desired have been wired to allow for redundancy. The home also has a full service Ingersoll Rand generator, with a top-of-the-market switching system.
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Gardens & Outbuildings
Resplendent white fencing is traditional in Williamsburg; at Whispering Oaks, the picket fencing surrounds the orchard, the vegetable garden, the herb gardens, and the perennial garden. On each of the gates, you will find ‘ball and chain’ closers, as are common in Williamsburg. Outbuildings include a potting shed and a reproduction ‘chicken house.’
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A Winding Drive, Private Lake, and a Neat Surprise
Upon entering the gates to the residence, one will notice the paved drive which turns into oversized tumbled pavers, which lend to the period appearance of the house. One will also drive past an amply-proportioned lake. A well-hidden amenity: a 176-yard par-three golf course quality hole (with the tee box being located on top of the dam of the lake in front of the house. It’s an uphill shot to the large green, with a white sand trap to the left of the green.
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Historical Significance
Situated along Hunting Creek, it has been historically documented that what was once thought to be an old farm road coursing the property was actually the Colonial Road of the 1700s. Further, it is a historical fact that Cornwallis’ British Army camped along the creek bottoms in February, 1781; just two days earlier, the army had crossed the Yadkin River at a point called ‘Shallowford.’ Welcome to a home that promises to cross space and time, and truly remain a home for the ages.
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