A New Generation / DesignMeDevon

This historic home (the oldest in the neighborhood) has been owned by the same Melino family for several generations. It is a long-standing family tradition that the house is handed down to a family member named Charles or Charlotte. There have always been "Charlies" in this grand home. Though visitors to Melino assume this street—Charlie II Avenue—is named in honor of royalty, it is in fact named for the current owner's great great grandmother, Charlotte Fontaine (known as "Charlie" to her friends and family). Though real estate developers have made offers to purchase the property (to tear it down and build upscale condominiums), our current homeowner (Charlotte Fontaine-DuPré), is determined to keep this house in the family. So much of the original estate—the gardens, outbuildings, etc.— has been sold off to pay for upkeep of the home. Several years ago, the solarium wing of the house (formerly just off of the study) was damaged beyond repair in a hurricane—that portion of land was also sold out of necessity, and is now the site of a gym and apartments.

Owning an historic home comes with challenges; the cellar which once housed the kitchen and scullery has had to be partially filled in with concrete to support an unstable foundation (due to subsidence) and is not longer usable. To subsidize her income as a successful author, Charlotte has started renting rooms to tourists who flock to Melino to enjoy the sun and sand during the summer months. She's made updates to the house, converted an upstairs sitting room into 2 ensuite bathrooms, and furnished 2 of the 4 bedrooms for guest accommodations. There's even a charming antique store counter in the front hall to welcome guests (Charlotte found this treasure at the local salvage yard).

The remaining improvement that Charlotte has on her immediate wish-list is a new kitchen! For the time being, she's set up a temporary one in the former butler's pantry. The beloved antique cast iron cookstove was painstakingly hauled up the stairs from the cellar, and there is a new refrigerator and tiny sink...all in all, not a very efficient workspace. Perhaps a wall could be carefully opened up to create an open and airy kitchen and dining space...and a half bath could replace the area that the (now defunct) basement stairs currently occupy...

...This is the dream, anyway, and Charlotte would love nothing more than to have #DesignMeDevon work some magic on this home!

#thiscozynook thanks CC creators for the following items

—satanistist (cast iron cookstove, Parisian Bedroom Collection, Ornate Fireplace, Regency Desk, Ellie Chandelier, Carlisle Armchair, Bedford Deacon Sofa)

— Wiggle Rugs — 1950's Vehicle Pack — Sewing ModPack (old sewing machine)

—antique counter as well as a few other items in this build can be accessed from the Paralives debug menu