527 Whitaker Road , Shelby, NC 28152(Cleveland County)

A French Country Estate nestled inside almost fifty sprawling fenced acres of rolling countryside at the edge of the mountains in Western North Carolina. Special finds throughout Europe were transported to this estate home to create a captivating manor house. The home took five years to construct. Each artistic and architectural element has been thoughtfully and lovingly curated. The home features a slate roof with copper guttering and copper outdoor gas lanterns. Hand-painted murals and fleur- de - lis images appear on ceilings and walls throughout the manor’s spacious interior. Furnishings and textiles were custom and specifically crafted. The elegant entry hall is formed by limestone, marble, plaster walls and antique stone floors procured in Provence. The immense great room with its arched beamed ceilings and antique heart pine floors has a massive fireplace at one end of the room with hand painted over-mantel, and Juliet balconies that overlook the gallery from the second-floor halls above. The kitchen with its subtly distressed paint finishes of a neutral palette provide the entire kitchen with a sense of serenity while providing a culinary canvas with which to create. An infusion of Viking built-in freezer, refrigerator and dishwasher drawers in French cabinetry compliments the large Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. The custom designed dual-fuel La Cornue range sits majestically inside a limestone niche with a custom designed copper hood and hand- made tiles. A well- appointed butler’s pantry and food pantry flank each side of the range. The dining room is glorious with it’s intricate ceiling details, large windows which overlook the estate, fireplace, and custom chandelier and custom French niches with antiqued mirrored doors for storage of dinner and serving ware. The library is ensconced in warm wood panels and features a fireplace along with ample shelves to house prized book collections. A wood paneled fireplace and exquisite custom carpet of “Old English design” completes this refined yet comfortable space. The Owner’s Suite is awash in beautifully hand plastered walls. The ceiling’s centerpiece is a hand painted mural. This expansive retreat has windows that overlook the lawn with its unique and custom designed pool and fountains and the beautifully carved French doors access the covered veranda. The Owner’s bath features two separate dressing and vanity areas with custom distressed cabinetry. A free-standing tub, separate toilette room, shower room with multiple heads and sprayers, dressing and closet rooms are all contained within the Owner’s private area. An office, morning room and linen room are located just off the Owner’s suite. A well-designed laundry room and artfully designed powder room are located just off the kitchen. A craft/wrapping room and t hree additional well-appointed and spacious guest suites, privately located off the upper grand hall, along with a theatre room, powder room and small kitchen complete the upper level. Separate garages surround the courtyard and family entrance. Over 88,000 pavers took several months to lay. A “party garage” has been designed with a large family dining table, kitchen with Viking and sub-zero appliances, game tables, bath and changing room, and easy access to the custom pool and fountains. A trellised pergola and covered outdoor garden run the length of the space between the pool and veranda on the rear of the home. This very inviting covered outdoor space has a stone hooded outdoor built-in grill with flanking refrigerators and warming drawers and ample dining and seating while enjoying views of the lawn, garden, and pool. The pool has inlaid tile and its curved shape is divided by a foot bridge of flagstone that provides access to the outdoor fireplace. Two soothing multi-tiered waterfalls flank each side the luscious pool and adjacent patios . A beautiful setting for farm or equestrian endeavors.