BY MARILYN GRUBE

Special to The Pilot

The 17th annual "Kitchens . . . and Moore" tour, sponsored by the Moore County Extension & Community Association, will be held Thursday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The benefit tour will offer an opportunity for visitors to view six private homes in the Pinehurst area. Sharing their homes will be Al and Sandy Logan, of Pinehurst; Dick and Jann Meadows, of Pinewild; Ralph and Joanne Wade, of Forest Creek; Marcel and Francoise Trepanier, of Mid South Golf Club; Frank and M.L. Gregory, of Pinewild; and Charlie and Jane Jackson, of Pinehurst.

The award-winning Acorn Cottage in the historic village of Pinehurst is the retreat of Al and Sandy Logan. The owners chose Wayne Haddock, of Pinehurst Homes, and Johnsye White Interior Design to renovate and decorate this prototypical Pinehurst cottage with a respect for its character and tradition.

In fact, Al Logan went to great lengths researching the history of the cottage through recorded deeds at the Carthage courthouse and information and photographs available at the Tufts Archives.

The cottage was built in 1950 by an Englishwoman, Elsie Baxendale Krebs. Krebs had previously lived in The Oaks, across from the Magnolia Inn, hence she named the cottage The Acorn. When her husband passed away, she purchased two adjacent lots for $1 "and other consideration."

One lot, now the Community Presbyterian Church's parking lot, served as her formal garden. Her lawyer, Robert Page III, recalled that when she was complimented on her yard, she responded that, "It was not a yard, it was her garden." Upon her passing, The Acorn was sold in 1977 to a well-respected jurist, Judge John McConnell and his wife, Janice, who remained in the property until they passed away. The Logans purchased The Acorn cottage in 2007.

The Acorn Cottage, from the exterior, brings us back in time to the good and simple life of Pinehurst in the 1950s. Although the formal garden is gone, mature camellias, azaleas and gardenias remain and the property is surrounded by towering magnolias, pines, oaks and hollies.

Historical Integrity

Across the bluestone threshold, historical integrity is one of the themes of this cottage. The Logans were able to restore the original doors, windows and hardware. Demonstrating that details make a difference, you'll see original keys in their workable locks, and glass doorknobs quaintly mixed with the original gold-toned knobs.

As Wayne Haddock tells it, there were many challenges with this remodel project, including the removal of load-bearing walls, but you wouldn't know it from the graceful flow of interior space. Opening up interior walls enhanced the natural light in the cottage. Plantation shutters and banks of windows along the former porch contribute to the light and breezy look.

One example of the care taken by the Logans to preserving the past is the original bronze fireplace surround, andirons and tools appointing the restored fireplace and mantel in the living room. Visitors might also take a moment to examine the living room's original cabinetry with its oil-rubbed bronze hardware and the period ceramics and glassware.

Sandy Logan's love of antiquing is evident when you examine her many finds, such as the three-tiered coffee table or the piecrust table or the beautiful upholstered chairs lovingly handed down through her family or the 200-year-old deacon's bench, originally from a small church in Cary, which crossed the Cape Fear River by boat when it belonged to her great-great-grandmother.

Kitchen Re-do

Much of the remodeling effort took place in the kitchen, which truly is the heart of this home. Like everything else in the Acorn Cottage, details make the difference. Subway-sized porcelain tile, with a simple diamond relief pattern, is over the stove, the tempered glass cabinet doors display teacups and Seagrove pottery is placed on the counter. The kitchen takes advantage of its view into the gathering room and also across the dining area into the backyard.

The other remodeling challenges, understandably, were the master and guest baths, both of which are now practical and stylish, thanks to creative tile and stonework.

Because of the cottage's rear wall of windows, the very private backyard becomes an extension of the house. Here, the Logans have created a bird sanctuary complete with a martin house designed as a church, several additional birdhouses and birdbaths and a stone rabbit and angel, perhaps left by the original owner, Mrs. Krebs, to protect her garden.

Adding to the day's festivities, Keith and Georganne McDaniel, of Green Gate Olive Oils, will provide various tastings, including samples of vanilla ice cream with blueberry, chocolate or black cherry balsamic vinegar. The volunteer hostess chairman for this cottage will be Judith Sams.

Proceeds will be given to the Moore County 4-H Clubs, the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Inc. and other local youth groups.

Tickets will be available at The Village Chapel and at each tour house the day of the event for $20. Advance tickets for $15 will be available at Phoenix Fashions, Seven Lakes, at (910) 673-5998; The Faded Rose, Pinehurst, at (910) 215-0505; Daphne's Hallmark, Southern Pines, at (910) 692-7333; The Seagrove Candle Company, Southern Pines, at (910) 695-0029; and the Cooperative Extension Service, Carthage, at (910) 947-3188.

Many out-of-town visitors begin the tour at the Pinehurst Village Chapel, where they can get tickets and maps and help in locating the houses.