Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Creamy white cabinets contrasted with black metal hardware are complemented with gray Corian counters for a gourmet, country-like kitchen setting. The oversized stovetop island and angular bar offer extra work space.

By Diane S. Morales, Caller-Times

August 27, 2006

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

The formal dining room is located at the front part of the home overlooking the front yard. Ecru carpet and beige wall color keeps the palette neutral.

PHOTO GALLERY

Jim and Nonie Johnson traded in their countryside view and its creatures for colder climes in Minnesota. But they’re taking some sweet South Texas memories with them after living in a two-story home in Calallen.

The couple moved from Oklahoma in May 2005, then moved out of their Wood River home in June.

“Initially we said ‘no’ to the idea of moving,” Jim said. “We didn’t want to fight the snow and scrape windshields, but then we thought it was the right career move.”

The Johnsons grew fond of the stone and stucco home in the brief time spent there, investing in beautifying the façade with a flagstone courtyard around a water fountain in the circular driveway.

Palm trees frame the arched stone entrance for a Mediterranean touch on the home’s tan exterior.

The arch effect repeats sporadically inside the Bearden built home, starting in the formal dining room at the left of the entrance.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Decorative stamped concrete surrounds the fountain in the front of the home for an elegant yet rustic presentation that complements the home’s exterior.

A rectangular wood table with six high-back chairs fits easily in the ecru carpeted space. Beige wall color and white crown moulding with cornices fills crevices, a theme throughout the house. Tucked in a corner is a built-in buffet with a gray Corian counter and white cabinets with glass panels. The Corian counters and white cabinets are repeated in the gourmet style kitchen where space isn’t hard to come by.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

A white metal canopy bed is playfully adorned with leopard print bedding and a toile patchwork quilt and bits of pink. The countryside is a peek away from the balcony.

The living room is a straight shot from the entrance. A shelf trimmed with moulding in the foyer leads to a series of niches around a built-in wall unit for displaying accessories. The wall units flank a stone fireplace, which complements the home’s stone exterior accent. Wine-colored draperies hang from a wrought iron rod around three picture windows reaching near soaring ceilings. Additional windows below the picture windows bring in natural light from the covered patio accessible through French doors.

Overlooking the living area is a roomy kitchen complete with double sinks, a convection oven and warming drawer and enough counter space for entertaining.

“The kitchen has plenty of cabinets and I think the cooking surfaces were my wife’s favorite,” Jim said.

A casual dining spot near a patio window and a long bar offers plenty of seating space.

Countryside views

A wood and wrought iron banister leads upstairs to a lounge at the landing, which overlooks the living area. Wrought iron rails matching the banister accent the balcony effect in the lounge, keeping the space open and airy.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Bearden Homes embellished the living room with arch accents in and above the wall unit to mimic the fireplace opening.

Right off the lounge is a bedroom with a balcony view of the countryside. The other two bedrooms are upstairs as well, while the master suite is downstairs near the living room.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Double vanities opposite each other and a dressing table area keep the flow going in the master bath. Walk-in closets are conveniently located in the space as well.

A boxed ceiling with white crown moulding and cornices frames the bed and windows overlook greenery from the flowerbed plants near the patio.

Double doors open to the master bath where an ivory and white color palette beams with light coming through the glass block above the tub. A vine scroll patterned wallpaper enriches the space.

But it’s the backyard view into the countryside that makes the home a peaceful retreat.

Contact Diane S. Morales at 886-3758 or moralesd@caller.com