CONTRIBUTED

Episcopal Day School will host its annual Candlelight Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 6 p.m.

This is the 32nd year for the tour, which features unique homes around the area, each ­decorated for the holiday season. Some of the homes will include musical talent, while others ­spotlight the work of local artists and chefs.

Forest Creek is home to a new and contemporary residence owned by Dr. Lynne Haubelt. This is a spacious and airy home, which offers many features unique to the Sandhills. From architectural design to furnishings, the residence is a blend of the talents of designers, artists and craftsmen from both Haubelt’s native Pittsburgh and the Sandhills region. Thoughtful consideration was given to livability, aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency.

Haubelt and her husband, Nick Gurgiolo, immersed themselves in the study of Frank Lloyd Wright and his architecture to create a vision for their home. Gurgiolo was a contractor in Pittsburgh and had a love of design. They planned every detail over a five-year period and selected Thomas Pierce, an architect in Pittsburgh, to oversee the design plan. Sadly, Nick Gurgiolo recently passed away. Local contractor Wes Husk was instrumental in completing the home that the couple had created together.

The sleek and contemporary exterior of the house introduces guests to the architectural style of the space, but visitors might be surprised when they step inside. The high ceilings and portal skylights create a feeling of light and warmth. A chapel in France provided inspiration for the skylights, which provide strong angles and views in all directions.

The combined living area and kitchen has well-defined spaces, with great flow between them. They chose eco-glass countertops and custom bamboo cabinets, created by Patrick Goembel of Apex.

A stunning art glass window in the kitchen was a gift from Haubelt to her husband and is reflective of the couple’s love of glass.

A striking piece of art in the dining area has both old and new connections to North Carolina. The piece is an interpretation of a petroglyph, an early stone drawing found in North Carolina, and it was created by Beverly Dickson of Troy.

It is one of the many pieces of local art selected for the home. Several items featuring the red-cockaded woodpecker, a nod to the Forest Creek logo, can be found throughout the home, represented in different types of artistic media.

Haubelt worked with local interior designer Vickie Auman, who helped her create welcoming spaces in neutral tones with vibrant pops of color.

Auman also specializes in using the work of local artists, and together, she and Haubelt visited numerous regional galleries.

The master bedroom and bath feature clerestory windows for natural light and privacy.

Special details used in the master bath transform the space into what feels like an enclosed outdoor space, while offering total seclusion. Mirrors are mounted onto windows, and the soaking tub is nestled underneath a full-size window, so views of the beautiful scenery around the house are uninhibited.

To get to the lower level of the home, guests travel down a floating staircase, which is lighted from below. They enter into a spacious and bright entertaining area, complete with full-size bar, outfitted with raw travertine. Several other entertaining areas populate the lower level, including a home theater, a gym and a golf simulator room.

Haubelt enjoys entertaining, and she often hosts guests from out of town in the 6,000-square-foot home.

A large guest suite with a kitchenette and sitting area is located on the first floor and was part of the original plan to create a home that could be lived in for a long time and accommodate a variety of guests.

Insulation and utility choices were given meticulous care, and the homeowners selected a geo-thermal heating and cooling system, as well as a concrete roof.

The roof has no penetration, to prevent heat/cold loss. The roof tiles are laid in an orthogonal pattern, which makes the roof look as it’s in motion.

The beautiful stone on the outside of the house is Tennessee crab orchard stone, sourced in North Carolina.

The Candlelight Tour will include five distinctive homes, from historic properties to new and contemporary designs.

Tickets may be purchased at: The Country Bookshop, Cool Sweats, Nature’s Own/195, Gulley’s Garden Center, One Eleven Main, Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour, Elegant Nails and at the EDS school office.

For more information about Episcopal Day School or the Candlelight Tour of Homes, call (910) 692-3492.