“Our Home Must Be in the Country” from the October 1944 issue of The
Southern Planter
The Robert Everetts of Nash County, North Carolina had, like many other families, an intense longing for a home of their own. They haven’t waited to build when the War is over. Here, in the first of a series on home improvements and building in the South, is how an old Southern home dating back to Colonial days is satisfying their longing.
Three years ago, when plans for a home of their own were in
the making, North Carolina countryborn Robert Everett firmly expressed his
view. “I wouldn’t live in any man’s town. I want a home in the country!” And
Tennessee-born Mrs. Everett agreed.
Unable to build during wartime, they visioned possibilities
in the Boddie-Bunn Plantation in Nash County, near Nashville, on which stood a
12-room house dating back to Colonial days. Dignified, stately, the house was
well worn with generations of living and, during recent years, much neglect.
Sturdily built as Colonial houses were, restoration would be a good investment.
Its lines of beauty, appropriate to the surrounding rolling hills covered with
choice North Carolina trees and shrubs, could easily be kept.
During the first months of ownership, Mrs. Everett stated
with all her energy and enthusiasm the long-time improvements in the house. She
also did a large part of overseeing the early developments in building up the
land, while Mr. Everett divided his time between his own new 600-acre farm and
management of the family acres in nearby Martin County. In two years of
terracing, building new fences, and enriching the soil, they have produced good
crops and expect even better ones to come.
The house is the story. It is approached from the highway by
a winding driveway already lined with native evergreens and dogwood in the
background. It seems to have grown up with its setting—on a hill surrounded by mimosa,
magnolia, crepe myrtle, dogwood, holly and pecan trees as tall as the house
itself. Mrs. Everett has planted colorful, blooming shrubs around the house,
and will add more along the drive.
Underpinning for the porches and paint on the exterior walls
were first essentials. Most remarkable of the restoration of this property,
however, is that done inside the house with Mrs. Everett’s own hands and the
little help she could obtain from farm labor and carpenters of the community.
While the plans are her own, she had her handiwork checked regularly by Mrs.
Effie Vines Gordon, Nash County home demonstration agent, and Miss Pauline
Gordon, North Carolina Extension house furnishing specialist.
Wide floor boards now gleam with their new shellac and wax
finish. Soft pastel paints, brightened walls, woodwork and mouldings in some of
the rooms, wallpaper in appropriate designs for walls of others.
Each of the tall windows, that extend almost form the tall
ceilings to within two feet of the floor, frame changing views of the
countryside that surpass any painters. Mrs. Everett made the curtains,
draperies and cornice boards to accent this feature of country living, and
there are no low shades to mar the view. Outside window blinds are partly drawn
in summer for coolness.
Kitchen Once an Old
Store Room
To our mind, her choicest ventures are the efficient
kitchen, once a storage room, and just off the kitchen, the dining nook which
was once part of a long side porch. Convenient cupboard space and working
counters built around her electric range, refrigerator and sink are of
available knotty pine paneling. Windows, with glass shelves for growing plants
and bright glassware line the exterior wall of the dining nook. Cupboard spaces
in long window seat beneath are storage for her many jars of canned foods.
Framing the windows are draperies of an old English legend print in gay colors.
The interior wall still has the original window which looked out on the porch
and afford additional enjoyment of the nook window arrangement from the room
within. Walls surrounding these inside windows and that next to the kitchen are
also pine-paneled.
Many of Mrs. Everett’s comfortable furnishings are pieces
made by excellent North Carolina cabinet makers who make reproductions with
skill and exquisite workmanship. Her pictures, collected ovr a period of years,
grace the large wall areas.
Mr. Everett pays his wife a compliment that would please any
farm homemaker. “She has been the happy combination of gardener, carpenter and
queen!” She is a gracious hostess, an excellent cook. From the garden, she sets
a true farm dinner table of good food, both fresh and canned. She has found
time for some work in her new community, and is now chairman of the Nash county
Nutrition Committee.
They’re Planning for
the Future
During these two years, they have had to busy themselves
with farmer as well as remodeling. There are still many plans for the day when
time is right for substantial building for the future. A central heating unit
will replace the present system of a large downstairs heater and a fireplace in
every room. Among other things on the list are rugs to grace and fit the large
floor areas, more furnishings and electric equipment. The original part of the
house to the back, said to be 198 years old, is still untouched.
Both the Everetts like lots of company. As soon as possible,
the back section will be remodeled for more room, when they may enjoy the kind
of living where friends come to spend the night, where Southern hospitality can
be restored in its rightful measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment