The magnificent European-style brick and stone home built by J.J. and Nancy Jackson won this year's Award of Excellence in the Moore County Home Builders Association Home of the Year Awards and will be one of the homes featured on the 15th Annual Kitchens And Moore Tour Thursday, Sept. 11.

The well-traveled Jacksons are Canadians who have lived in Prague and Bucharest and speak three languages. J.J. was a pioneer in the cell phone service business, being an executive with the company who took the service into Prague and the Czech Republic. Supposedly "retired," he is still actively involved in the business world and traveling. He enjoys golf, both with contemporary and antique hickory clubs; fishing in special locales; and collecting good wines. When they entertain, he often cooks on the terrace, using the stainless steel and stone barbecue grill.

The couple has three daughters, two sons-in-law and three grandchildren who live in Canada but like to visit as do many friends.

In fact, due to Canadian friends with condos in Pinehurst, the Jacksons had been visiting the area for many years before a time in 1997 when they were enjoying a visit at the Carolina Inn. They looked at each other and said, "We are home."

In 2002, they purchased the land in Fairwoods on Seven upon which they have built their dream home. Rhetson Company constructed this 6,400-plus square foot beauty in 22 months. The Jacksons have occupied it for a year, bringing with them displays of delicate iridescent hand-blown crystal pieces, art glass creations and paintings from Romania and Prague, reminiscent of their time abroad.

Nancy Jackson pursued a career as a food service supervisor in Canada and in the United States. In Europe, she involved herself in charity fundraising for orphans in Romania and for the homeless in Prague. She was active in the International Women's Association, which assists charities.

"When you live in other countries, you like to do what you can to help," she says.

She is continuing her volunteer efforts locally by supporting the Kitchens and Moore tour that benefits the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina and other Moore County youth programs.

Carolyn Register is chairman of the event, which is sponsored by the Moore County Extension and Community Association, Inc. Betty Hurst and her hostess committee will welcome tour guests to the home.

Nancy Jackson's background in the food industry and her expertise in food preparation enabled her to assemble a fantastic kitchen. With its warm, custom-made maple cabinetry, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances, this kitchen affords every imaginable convenience.

The exceptionally well-designed space, which Nancy describes as the "Heart of the Host," centers the home, surrounded by a generous open bar curving to views of the great room and breakfast area. The walls of windows lining the rear of the house provide a view of the 12th hole of Pinehurst No. 4. The windows in the great room have motorized shades, which are easily activated for protection from the afternoon sun.

Serving as chef in her kitchen the day of the tour, Jackson will be able to answer questions about the specially designed conveniences, including everything from the spice racks to the bread-warming drawer.

The over-sized island with its granite top has an inlaid butcher-block cutting board that can be lifted to scrape cuttings into a hidden waste can. Two of the island's diagonal corners were rounded to make easier passage for a busy cook. Further convenience comes in the form of a dumb-waiter that takes food from the kitchen to the upper level for guests.

The appeal of the home is immediately visible in the unique designs and well-planned dcor encountered upon entering through towering double front doors. Centering the foyer flooring is an inlaid replica of the North Star. The antiqued cream-colored molding that surrounds arched doorways, outlines the foyer ceiling with 12 different layers.

In the great room, the molding is featured on and above the marble fireplace, framing a Donald Ross portrait and then stretching up to the 22-foot ceiling.

The owners discovered this special product and the knotty pine paneling for the study in Drywood, S.C., and had it custom-made for the house. All the flooring in the house is maple with the exception of the Carolina room and the study, which are made of pine. The octagonal-shaped study flanking one side of the front door is J.J.'s domain. It is dominated by a handsome dark wood desk that is complemented by a cream-colored leather sofa and green leather winged back chairs. A colorful octagonal carpet coordinates all the decorating elements.

Opposite the study is the elegant dining room with its generous round table that accommodates 12 guests. The immediate focus is a massive chandelier with six tiers of shimmering crystal prisms. Matching sconces light the marble-topped buffets. A large painting of wine glasses lifted in a toast marks the entryway to the wine cellar.

The gate in a wrought iron railing just beyond the dining room opens to expose a curved stairway that appears to lead down into the dark bowels of the earth. This dramatic impression has been achieved by artist Dawn Privette. The blackened walls and ceiling of the cellar picture the owners' dogs, a believable tunnel, a wine cask and a realistic arrangement of wine bottles and fruit, all created with unusual techniques originated by the artist. The cellar, which houses 2,000 bottles of wine, has its own temperature and humidity controls.

Returning to the main floor, guests may visit the Carolina room. It boasts comfortable wicker furniture, a colorful fireplace wall of local stone and a handy bar, but the real treat is just outside where an intimate, stone-walled patio houses a seven-person hot tub.

The first floor also reveals a guest suite, a special powder room decorated by Dawn Privette and a master bedroom with Railroad Baron bed and matching chests.

An outstanding feature of the master bath is the almost life-sized garden scene created in stained glass above the Jacuzzi tub by Bill Mitchell, a glass designer. Individual room-sized clothing closets with built-in storage are real winners. All bath flooring and showers are of ceramic tile.

Mounting the stairway, with its maple railing and delicately turned white balusters, one finds the second floor to be an open loft design. The second floor amenities include two guest suites and a sitting area that opens to a covered porch overlooking the golf course. Energetic guests may take advantage of a well-equipped exercise room that also opens to a porch with golf course views.

The tastefully renovated home of retired banker Don Thompson in Southern Pines will be an upcoming feature of the tour as will four additional "must-see" homes. The owners are Ron and Barbara Archbold of National Golf Club; Steve and Nan Moore of Pinehurst; James and Cecelia Obi of Pinewild Country Club; and Joyce White of the Village of Pinehurst.

Tickets and maps will be available the day of the tour for $20 at The Village Chapel Hall.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for $15 from Phoenix Fashions, Seven Lakes; The Faded Rose, Pinehurst; Hallmark Store, Pinecrest Plaza, Southern Pines; and the Office of Cooperative Extension Service, Carthage, or by calling (910) 947-3188.