Imagine that you have stepped back in time instead being
on the paved Carthage Road in 2010 you are arriving in a buggy to the new country home of Col. Alfred Rowland and his wife Susan Blount. It is 1875 and they have just finished their home of the outskirts of Lumberton on her share of one of her father, William Blount’s farms.
You see the large white two-story transitional Greek Revival/Italianate Style home framed by two large magnolias. You notice the two double-tier, pedimented porch with sawnwork balustrades, slightly tapered square posts with molded caps, and a wide paneled frieze on both levels as a focal point.

As you approach the house from the street, you notice, a heart-shaped bed of boxwood and azaleas is located in front of the house, between the magnolias, and is framed by a gravel walk outlined by dry-laid rock in the shape of a chalice.

The home is typical of the country home built at that time with a few changes that Mrs. Rowland requested like the bay window in the living room.  The floors in the house are heart pine and all of the mantels are simple Greek Revival-style.

The Rowlands were parents of four children: John A. Rowland, III, Penelope, Winifred and Mae. The son followed in his father's footsteps and became a lawyer. He also served as a judge and mayor of the city of Lumberton before his early death by 1920. Rowland-Norment School was named for Miss Penny and Miss Bunch (Winifred) who taught for over 40 years. The two sisters continued to live at Riverwood after the death of their mother in 1924. The youngest daughter, Mae, married D. Preston Shaw, a lawyer and state senator. She returned to Riverwood and lived with her sisters after the death of her husband. The sisters subdivided the property into what is now the Tanglewood neighborhood to the south of the house. Their family connections can be seen in the street names, which include Rowland, Shaw, McMillan, Austin, Kenan and Riverwood. The property passed to Mae's daughters, Elizabeth Shaw Austin and Sue Blount Shaw Schutt. Mrs. Schutt was the last of the Rowland family to live at Riverwood.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been gracious stewards of Riverwood since 1961. The house has been carefully maintained with little alteration. A garage and playhouse were added to the property in the 1970s but do not detract from this wonderful property. Riverwood continues to serve as a landmark of transitional Greek Revival/Italianate style architecture in southeastern North Carolina as well as a testament to the life of Alfred Rowland II, local citizen, lawyer, and statesman who built the home during the prime of his career.

     This corner lot was purchased from F.K. Biggs, Sr. by Adeline Keith Smith in 1954 who soon built the home. After her death in 1982, it was owned by Thomas Jeffery Keith and in 1987 was sold to Thomas Joseph Keith and Mary Anne Keith. Thomas and Margo Falconi purchased the home in 1992 and sold it to Phyllis and George Calvin Allen, Jr. in 2000. Michael Brown purchased the home in 2005.

This 3400 sq. foot home features two bedrooms, formal areas and the centerpiece is a beautiful paneled study. Brown stated he actually bought the study and the rest of the house came with it.

This is the first year we have featured homes from the Oaks Community. It is a master-planned community located on 400 acres of wooded homesites. At the center of the community is a seven acre lake and park.

The Floyds built this traditional home in 1995. Decorating for Christmas is a family affair – out come all photos of their son and daughter taken each Christmas. The tree in the den is also all about the kids and includes all the hand-crafted ornaments that they made over the years.

     The Strickland home was built in 2007.  When planning to build, the Stricklands knew exactly where to locate the perfect builder.  Jeremy and his father, Ronnie, are general contractors and the owners of RGS Builders, Inc.  For the past 18 years, RGS Builders has built local custom homes. The Stricklands decided on a William Poole house plan.  The exterior of the house is classic in style with Corinthian columns on a rounded front entrance.  Some minor changes were made to the original plan as a downstairs master bedroom/bathroom was added.   

Some of the family’s favorite home features are the pale yellow kitchen cabinets, tongue-and-groove cypress in several rooms, and, of course, the apple green front door.  The interior is a mixture of both the traditional and the whimsical, with vibrant colors and cheerful fabrics abounding throughout the house.

During the Christmas season, the family room and kitchen are decorated with fresh greenery.  The family room Christmas tree has red and green ornaments and some have special significance as they recall special trips and events.  Family photos and a collection of carolers are displayed throughout this area.  The Christmas tree in the living room features gold and silver ornaments of snowflakes, birds and mercury glass.  The boys’ rooms, as well as the upstairs playroom, are filled with bright, kid-friendly ornaments and Christmas decorations that highlight the joy of the Christmas season.

The Allen home, situated on a four-acre lot in the Grande Oaks, was completed in late 2006, enabling the Allen/Helgren family to enjoy their first Christmas in a home that Gary and Susan had dreamed of building for years. The European-style home was designed with a French Country theme, beginning with the arched wooden French doors that grace the main front entrance and continuing with the massive stone fireplace that is the focal point of the main floor gathering room. Extensive fine woodwork can be found throughout the house.

The Allens enjoy their home year round, especially during the holidays. The tradition-style Christmas decorations begin with the front street entrance columns draped with live greenery and traditional Christmas red ribbons. During the last four Christmas seasons the home has been dubbed by some locals as the Christmas Tree House as all the eight-foot holly trees that front the home and side brick privacy walls are lit up with Christmas lights. Live greenery consisting of magnolia, fir and holly grace both the main entrance and front side entrance with the red ribbon accent continued.

Upon entering the main living area foyer, guests will view the formal dining room and study. The study features a fireplace with mantle draped in live greenery. Across the main floor gallery you will find the gathering room where the woodburning fireplace and main Christmas tree are decorated in a traditional Christmas theme. The adjacent kitchen with a faux fireplace mantle over the range, the smaller gathering area and bar/entertainment room also are decorated with live greenery.

From these rooms guests may access the veranda and flanking terrace that stretch the rear length of the home overlooking the outdoor entertainment area and carriage house. The veranda/terrace wrought iron railing and side garden gate/fencing are draped in greenery and accented with red ribbons.