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Park West "We moved here because of the kids," Diane told me. "The schools are nearby. ... everything is just right." Diane Lewis traveled a lot before she settled in Mount Pleasant. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, only because there was no hospital in her hometown, she was raised in rural Mississippi. Somewhere along the way, she dropped her Southern accent, but her gracious home and warm manner hint that she is a Southern woman at heart. A Lowcountry-style fountain greets visitors as they arrive, immediately establishing a mood of tranquility and peace. Diane-s careful attention to detail With wonderful views of the marsh and deep water beyond, the main level of the home is open and airy and clearly made for entertaining. The kitchen is spacious and inviting, with a beautiful tile back splash behind the stove. Floors throughout are made of Australian cypress, adding warmth. "I love the matte finish of the floors," Diane says. She-s right. High-gloss wood floors, so commonly seen in other South Carolina homes, might seem out of place here. Diane explains that Streamline was building the home as a spec house but that they were very willing to make c "Luckily," she says, "we decided to buy early enough to make some design changes." One of those alterations involved leaving out plans for an elevator and using the space for a very large, walk-in pantry. Another change, she points out, is in the master bathroom. "I didn-t like the tub where it was placed and had them put this tub here," Diane says. "I-m girly and I love the candles." I can see by the candles of all sizes situated around the edge that this is a woman who enjoys luxuriating in the bath. And why not? Diane is a busy mother who talks about her children with great pride, but everyone needs a haven. The master bedroom carries out the theme; though expansive, it is cozy, and the view of the water is nothing short of spectacular. "How amazing to wake up to this view every morning," I remark as we pause in the bedroom. She concurs. The same attention to detail can be seen in the other bedrooms. Garrett, Diane-s eight-year-old son wanted to live his favorite sport, so his room is decorated with a baseball theme; he is a student at Laurel Hill Primary. Kristin is 18 and attends Wando High and is looking forward to college. Finally, rounding out the household is Ellie Mae, the family Shih Tzu.
The media room is the ideal spot to watch television and DVDs. Small but Upstairs, where normally there would be an attic, is the massage room. "I call this my Zen room," Diane confides, and I can see why. The area is finished, with access to storage, but in addition to the massage table, there is a little nook—a place to read, relax or just hide out for a bit. With all the traveling Diane has done, I couldn-t help but wonder how she ended up in Mount Pleasant. She explains that, after living in London, she and her family were ready to settle down on the Carolina coast, believing it was an excellent area to raise children. Will she stay in this wonderful house, I ask? For the moment, yes, she tells me before confiding that she has bought a four-acre lot in Sewee Preserve. Diane likes that area because it is a little further out, toward Awendaw."I-m really a country girl," Diane laughs. "I like to have some land around me." How did she get involved with the charity? "I saw a sign for the Charleston Miracle League, looking for volunteers,"
she explains, "and that was it."
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