BY MARILYN M. GRUBE

Special to The Pilot

The Pinewild home of Bob and Arlene Knapp is among six distinctive homes featured on the "Kitchens . . . and Moore" tour to be held Thursday, Sept. 8.

The couple selected a lot nestled between the sixth green and the seventh tee of Pinewild's Holly course. Billy Breeden was their builder; Arlene herself was the designer.

Arlene wanted a home that would pull together their years of travel in an elegant, but casual way.

The Old World decor has a rich and regal, but muted, palette. It features dark stained woods, rustic wrought iron, gilt and brass accessories. The style uses timeless fabrics, such as woven tapestries, damask and luscious silks of oversized scrolls, paisleys, stripes and animal prints and adds accoutrements of fringe, tassels and beaded trim.

On a hot day, the home is an oasis. Dark brick on the exterior, hand-forged wrought iron grilles on double entry doors and cool latte colored walls on the interior welcome visitors.

The entry has 4-inch plank walnut flooring, but the flow of space is established by the repetition of arches and columns. Light enters through expansive French doors and an arched transom at the rear and reflects off of the great room's white trim and cabinetry. Window treatments are minimal.

Adjacent to the entry, the dining area is crowned by interior arches and arched transoms.

Highlighted by another arch, the kitchen overlooks the great room so that the cook is never far from the party. Alder cabinets and an oversized pantry door have a rich sable finish and black glaze, coordinating with a distressed black hood and island. Limestone tile and 20-inch porcelain floor tiles blend with the latte-colored walls and African granite countertops.

In this location, the staff of Elliott's on Linden will delight visitors as they have annually by participating in the Kitchens tour for "too many years to remember."

On the other side of the French doors is a lively patio accented with red pillows and red geraniums.

The office displays evidence of Bob's military career: His West Point saber and military medals, decorations and ribbon bars are framed and hung on the wall.

The master bedroom suite offers more impressive furnishings, lightened by ivory brocade bedding and upholstery. The four-poster cherry rice bed is an 18th century Carolina tradition showing a plantation owner's principal source of wealth, in this case shafts of rice and tobacco leaves intricately carved into the posts. Arlene used bow-front chests as generous nightstands.

Guest rooms continue the Old World theme. One is Italianate and one is a sunny country French.

The hostess-in-charge will be Sandy Hoffman, also of Pinewild, and a member of the Linden Garden Club.

Sponsored by the Moore County Extension and Community Association, Inc., the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc. and other local youth programs.

Tours begin at 10 a.m. at the Village Chapel, Pinehurst, where brochures and tickets will be available and refreshments will be served. Tickets will also be available at each house on the day of the tour for $20.

Advance tickets may be purchased for $15 from the Faded Rose, Daphne's Hallmark, Seagrove Candle Company, Phoenix Fashions, and the Cooperative Extension Office at the Moore County Agriculture Building in Carthage.

For more information, call the Moore County Cooperative Extension Office at (910) 947-3188.