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| We were very blessed to be able to purchase our home this summer. We looked at tons of homes and always came back to this one....each time telling ourselves we had lost our minds. But...it just 'felt' like home.
The previous owner (a local contractor) and his wife loved antebellum homes and "Gone With the Wind." Much of the inspiration came from "Twelve Oaks"...Ashley Wilkes' home. The previous owner and his wife built on the home for years, approximately 20, never completing it. They did live in it for about 10 years. The Mrs. passed over about 7 years ago, after 52 years of marriage. The Mr., broken-hearted, put down his hammer and never did anything else on the home. He passed over about 4 years ago. Since that time, the home has been empty. His son inherited the home and said he was 'looking for the right couple' for his parents' home. The son refused several offers. We all feel it was Divine Guidance the way things worked out for this to be our home. I'll post pics below. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sat, Nov 24, 12 at 14:15
| Our home is on a little over 9 acres. The drive is long...as with Twelve Oaks. There were 12 oaks lining the drive, 6 on each side; but, Hurricane Katrina destroyed three of them. The style of our home is Greek Revival. The 'widows walk' is functional. We love to go up at sunset. |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sat, Nov 24, 12 at 14:36
| This is the 'before' pic...what the parlor looked like when we purchased our home. |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sat, Nov 24, 12 at 14:41
| My honey working on the arches. We are doing as much of the work ourselves as we can. We have hired a man to do trimwork and a millwork man for the fluting on the columns, fireplaces, arches, etc. |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sat, Nov 24, 12 at 15:08
| The parlor was the first room we finished. We're trying to do one room at a time. We're in search for a Victorian parlor set (within our budget). These are the furnishings in the meantime. I am currently working on the window treatments. |
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| Wow!!! Your home will truly be a labor of love. |
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- Posted by jeannespines (My Page) on Sat, Nov 24, 12 at 17:03
| Wow! GWTW is my fave movie...I have collected GWTW for about 15 yrs. You certainly have found your 'place' ...& I am glad that this place can be filled w/love again! Congrats! Beautiful! TFS! Jeanne S. |
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| You have a gorgeous home that the restorations show a true labor of love. Please do continue to share with us :). |
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| I was going to say exactly what fun2bhere said! |
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| Gail, Your home is a treasure! I love the burgundy walls behind the shelves next to the fire place. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the transformation. How many rooms are in the house? Nana |
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- Posted by party_music50 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 25, 12 at 9:14
| [mouth hanging open in amazement...] Speechless. |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sun, Nov 25, 12 at 13:21
| Fun, It really is fun....it was for the previous couple and it is for us. We truly are having fun. We use the house as an excuse for a lot of trips...going to Natchez, Vicksburg, etc. to look at antebellum homes for ideas. We always stay in a B&B and pick the brains of the owners. They all love to share the history, etc. of their homes. Also, trips to buy furniture from the Victorian era. We do a lot of searching as we are both retired and are determined to stay on a budget. jeanne, milosmom, kswl, nana, As far as how many rooms are in the house... starting on the bottom....there is a cellar that was intended to be a wine cellar (which was never completed). We feel this cellar is amazing because in our 'neck of the woods' there are NO cellars...we live below sea level. How this man did this is still a mystery. ;) Ground level...foyer, parlor, formal living, kitchen, family room with wet bar and 1/2 bath, grand ball room with two full baths, bedroom with full bath and a study. Second floor...foyer, two bedrooms each with full baths, and master suite with two full baths. Third floor...plumbed and wired for three more bedrooms and two fulls baths...not completed. At this point, we don't have any plans on completing this floor. Top level...widow's walk. There is also a 'closet' for an elevator that will go from the first floor to the widow's walk. Don't know if we will ever complete this. The part of the home that is somewhat completed is 6751 square feet. We feel so blessed with this home. party, I apologize for the length of this. I am just bubbling and don't know when to shut up. Gail
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| Gail, your home is amazing. I hope you will continue to share with us as you finish rooms. I love your parlor room. Using burgundy behind book case shelves really sets those off. I can see why your just bubbling. I would never b able to Punk |
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| Gail, it's amazing! You ought to do this topic on the Home Decorating forum too. I'd love to see a close up picture of your doll. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Home Decorating Forum
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Tue, Nov 27, 12 at 12:19
| phone, Thank you very much. I would love to share pics as we get projects completed. oak, I'd be glad to post a pic of my doll...and her sister. Gail |
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- Posted by allibeth68 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 27, 12 at 13:09
| Stunning!!!! LOVE it!!! |
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- Posted by marlene_2008 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 28, 12 at 17:51
| Holy Cow! What a BEAUTIFUL home! How wonderful for you and your family.....you have done a great job with the parlor as well...totally breathtaking! I'm with Party.....speechless! |
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- Posted by luvstocraft (My Page) on Wed, Nov 28, 12 at 22:02
| I agree with Marlene, what a BEAUTIFUL home! I had just read your story about your life three years ago and now this! You have come a long way gal! I am thrilled for you over the house and the happiness you have found. I love love love houses like yours and sure hope you will share more pictures of befores and afters with us. Luvs |
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- Posted by oldalgebra (My Page) on Fri, Nov 30, 12 at 10:57
| Excuse me. Can I borrow your husband for a couple of months. There's a few projects I need completed. He's busy??? Oh, well. The work you've done is beautiful. You can SEE the love you have for the place in every detail. |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Fri, Nov 30, 12 at 11:08
| alli, Thank you. marlene, luvs, old. Gail |
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- Posted by purplemoon (My Page) on Sun, Dec 2, 12 at 0:15
| Gail, you keep right on bubbling and sharing with us, girl. The story behind your home, and then how you found it... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as its all so wonderful. I dearly love this sort of thing and it touches my heart and gets me all emotional. (being born in Ala. I have to love GWTW and antebellum homes!) You are doing such an amazing job at restoring this place and your husband is a treasure himself! hugs, Karen |
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- Posted by GulfportGail (My Page) on Sun, Dec 2, 12 at 10:04
| Karen, Thanks so much for your sweet, kind words. |
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