2341 Roxboro Road (1999)

This elegant Georgian home, built in the 1920's, takes a departure from strict Georgian principles with a distinctive French flair, which can be seen in the roof line and the celadon color of the window shutters. Georgian elements include the front entranceway with its pilasters, Greek-inspired pediment with finial, but walk along the driveway side of the house and the irrepressible French influence beguiles the viewer. A balcony with delicately wrought French ironwork, flower boxes, and French doors gives the viewer a sense of a grand French country home, Yellow and white awnings complete the effect. With this unique mix of Georgian and French elements, this lovely home is at once both stately and charmingly inviting.

Traditional features of the Georgian home are noted upon entering, in the form of the center hall, which divides the living room and dining room, six-over-nine panes of glass in the double hung windows, and the classically inspired fireplace.

The current owners have lived in England and France and many of the treasures in their home made the trans-Atlantic trip to the U.S., including a particularly fine antique English cabinet. Wall maps depict areas where the family lived while in Europe. A Steinway grand piano dated 1827 graces the living room,

The family room is a recent addition to the house, added by the current owners. The original outside brick wall, including a window, adds a charming effect, and now acts as an interior wall, separating this room from the kitchen. Oak flooring with radiant heating was installed. Bookshelves line one wall, while large windows, French doors and bright blue paint enhance two walls, giving the room the feel of a screened porch. A skylight adds to the sunny, open feel of the room.

An arched door leads from the family room to the completely remodeled kitchen. Here the owners' love of French country design comes through. Glass cabinet doors are lined with chicken wire. Walls are a mustard color, and blues, yellows and reds are used throughout the room. Rooster motifs pop up here and there. A Portuguese sundial forms the center of the backsplash on the wall behind the stove. A French style oven hood mirrors the roof of the house.

Outside, a lovely, secluded patio and garden nestles on one side of the house. Formal statuary as well as elegant plantings, such as the Japanese cut leaf maple, lend an aura of quiet serenity to this space.

While many homes and their owners seem ideally suited to each other, this pairing has a particularly romantic story. The parents of the lady of the house always loved this home, as did she, but although it came on the market a few times over the years, it did not coincide with their needs at those particular times. Finally the home, probably impatient to be occupied by one who loved it so well, came on the market just as the current owners were leaving for an extended overseas stay. The lady phoned the realtor from France, her fond husband agreed it was the perfect home for them, and all have lived happily ever after.