Idea House closes Sunday

A lifestyle magazine's designer home built in River Dunes will close public tours Sunday, after attracting more than 10,000 people to Pamlico County during the past year.

Dubbed the 10th Anniversary Coastal Living Magazine Idea House, it was featured in the November 2007 edition and opened last fall for tours. All the proceeds were pre-designated to HeartWorks Medical Home Mission, HOPE Clinic and the Pamlico County Heritage Center.

The three-story, 4,920-square-foot house will remain open through the weekend, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Visitors can also view the Promenade of Porches - a tour of eight River Dunes residential porches designed by local and national home décor professionals.

River Dunes President Ed Mitchell said the visitors came from across the country and abroad.

River Dunes is a 600-home waterfront community being developed on 1,300 acres in eastern Pamlico County off Orchard Creek Road near Oriental. Mitchell said the visitors to the home are good for River Dunes and for Pamlico County.

"The thousands of visitors who have already seen the house and the thousands more to come are giving national exposure to Pamlico County as a wonderful place to live," said Mitchell. "We are proud to partner with Coastal Living, three great local charities, and hundreds of volunteers to showcase the best of waterfront living in coastal North Carolina."

Because of the response, the home was re-opened for tours in the spring.

Happy Williams, the house manager, said visitors have come from nearly every state and 11 countries.

Tickets are $10 per person and $15 per couple.

The house was built by Watermark Homes of Raleigh, and is adjacent to the River Dunes Harbor and offers water views from every room. It was designed by Historical Concepts of Atlanta.

Tammy Connor Interior Design of Birmingham, Ala., decorated and furnished the house in a nautical theme with many elements that showcase both national and local artists and sponsors.

To get to River Dunes, drive N.C. 55 to Oriental. Turn left onto Straight Road outside the town limits. Go 2.4 miles and turn right onto Orchard Creek Road. The River Dunes entrance is about another two miles on the right.

The house is now for sale, with or without furnishings.

For information, call 800-975-9565.