Let the rest of the world have their McMansions—we're partial to little white cottages with red roofs, thank you very much. Nestled snugly in a hollow in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 150-year-old farmhouse in Glenville, North Carolina has officially stolen our hearts.
We're more than a little obsessed with the 10+-acre property, which includes an upland meadow with views of beautiful Whiteside Mountain. Elsewhere, a meandering stream, barn, and picket-fenced garden are perfectly placed amidst old stone retaining walls. Life in such a peaceful retreat cannot help but inspire all kinds of creativity, as it has done for the most recent owners—they've been hard at work on a book about the history of the property.
There's quite a bit to love about the inside, too, most notably a double-sided fireplace that was added during a mid-twentieth century renovation by then-owner Martha Neuse Reynolds—a direct descent of John Adams. Most of the rest of the house retains its nineteenth-century character, with ceiling beams and wide-plank wood floors complemented by carefully-selected antique furniture.
Houses like this seem to have been built for memory-making, and the current owners have cherished the 13 years they have spent here. "I will miss my dahlia garden and seeding the stream with arrowheads and gemstones for the grandchildren to find," says one.
But she's confident the next owner will find just as much to love. "There is just something going on here that has captured the imagination of many."
661 Owen Mountain Rd is for sale for an asking price of $425,000. For more information, contact Beth Townsend with McKee Properties at (828) 421-6193.
Writer Elizabeth Finkelstein is a self-proclaimed old house addict on a lifelong hunt for her perfect historic home. From big Victorian fixer-uppers to tiny colonials to mid-century modern masterpieces, Elizabeth believes that the best homes show the charm of having been loved over time. She chronicles it all on her website CIRCA Old Houses, which showcases beautiful old houses for sale across the country. See more at CircaOldHouses.com.
