A HOME FILLED WITH LIFE, LOVE, AND LAUGHTER

SHANNON AND SAM STEWART’S HOME - THE PLACE THEY ENJOY MOST ife, love laughter L A HOME FILLED WITH & -

Story by JOHN RIDDLE / Photography by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

If ever a home’s personality matched that of its owners, it is Shannon and Sam Stewart’s home. All the characteristics you want in a home and a friend - warm, casual, inviting, full of character, and not lacking the most important ingredient…love.

The driveway up to the stately home is as welcoming and inviting as Shannon is when she opens the front door and greets you with her infectious smile and bubbly personality. She, at once, makes anyone feel comfortable and welcome as they become swept up in her world that is her home and, more importantly, her family.

Just a few steps into the foyer, you realize that this could take a while as Shannon begins telling stories behind most everything you see. The dining room, to the left of the foyer, boasts a mirror she made herself. The ornate silver tea service was a gift from her mother-in-law, Happie Stewart. The full-sized mounted bear across the hall - featured prominently in what Sam refers to as the "man cave" - is a trophy of Caroline Stewart, their daughter.

A peaceful coastal scene by local artist, Ester Deen, hangs above the table in the foyer, providing warmth and depth to the room. It is accompanied by a tortoiseshell, the first of many you'll see, which Shannon collects. The floors even have a story as they were made with sunken trees pulled from the bottom of the Altamaha River in Long County.

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Above: Artwork by Ester Deen, a local artist, hangs in the foyer. A tortoise shell from Shannon's collection helps complete the vignette.

Foyer

Left: The wood floors on the first floor came from sunken trees in the Altamaha River.

Man Cave

Right: Caroline Stewart shot the bear that dominates the "man cave."

Below: The “man cave” is a testament to the family’s love of the outdoors and hunting.

Dining Room

The dining room has a hint of formality but provides a comfortable ambiance. Shannon made the mirror from pallets.

While unique and highly personalized, the home is “not gliltzy,” Shannon says. “I do most of my own decorat- ing. I like estate sales, and I don't like things to match," she explained. Her use of natural colors feels the home with an airy feel. A bank of windows across the back of the house also floods the house with natural light.

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“ I DO MOST OF MY OWN DECORATING. I LIKE ESTATE SALES, AND I DON'T LIKE THINGS TO MATCH.” – Shannon Stewart

Family Room -

Above: The two-story family room, in neutral tones, is cozy and inviting. Windowed doors open up the space to the back porch and beyond. Right: Shannon has an eclectic eye when it comes to art- work.

-Kitchen

Above: Sam Stewart and his sister, Amy Stewart Fletcher, in the kitchen where the counters were made from marble slabs from the Stewart Candy Company.

Top Right: The lines on the kitchen counters represent the measurements used to cut candy.

Bottom Right: The breakfast room provides a good view of the pool and the back yard.

In each room, there is a story, even in the kitchen where the counters are made from marble slabs used by the Stewart Candy Company. One of those slabs is also used on a pub-high table on the covered back porch.

Stepping through one of the windowed doors connecting the family room to the back porch, you are welcomed into a "picture-perfect" back yard complete with pool, fire pit, and a covered cooking area that hosts most of the family's gatherings. "We grill or smoke something a few nights a week," Sam said. It is perfect for the many crawfish boils, oyster roasts, and tailgates for UGA football games that son, Sam Jr., says are his fondest memories.

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Back Porch -

The covered back porch is a popular spot for afternoon gatherings or to catch up after a long day. Sam, Jr., and his friend, Mary Catherine Barnes, enjoy the high-top table with a marble tabletop from Stewart Candy Company. Sam and Shannon with two of their five dogs.

Below: This old candy kettle, used by Stewart Candy Company in the 1920's, has found a new purpose as a planter under the outdoor covered cook porch.

Backyard -

Top: Mary Catherine Barnes, Sam Stewart, Jr., Mary Stewart Bishop holding Margaret Bishop, Ben Bishop, Amy Stewart Fletcher, Shannon Stewart, and Sam Stewart enjoy one of the typical family gatherings under the covered cook porch in the back yard.

Middle: Shannon arranges her own flowers like these beautiful hydrangas from their garden.

Left: Trees provide a canopy of shade in the expansive back yard, which makes an excellent place for a stroll and relaxed conversations. (Mary Catherine Barnes, Shannon Stewart, Amy Stewart Fletcher, and Mary Stewart Bishop)

Top Left and Right:

The firepit, anchored in a corner of the backyard near the covered cook porch, provides additional seating and a place to catch up and warm up during fall and winter gatherings.

Left: Sam, Jr., and Shannon by the pool with one of their two bulldogs.

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On the day of the photoshoot for Okefenokee Living, Shannon invited family as is typical of the gatherings they host. The day was perfect, though a little hot. The shoot was originally scheduled for Spring but wasn't able to take place until June.

But, every day is a good day at the Stewart's home. Because every day, guests can expect the same heaping helping of good conversation, good times, and good food. And, when you leave, you feel like you want to go back because, well, you enjoyed it so much. And, that’s just the way they intended it. O L

EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY AT THE STEWART'S HOME. BECAUSE EVERY DAY, GUESTS CAN EXPECT THE SAME HEAPING HELPING OF GOOD CONVERSATION,

GOOD TIMES, AND GOOD FOOD. -

Extra F lavors for the Perfect Setting

THE “PAW-PAW”

A unique Southern drink experience helps guests quench their Summer thirst. The “Paw-Paw,” a crowd-pleaser at Sea Island, might be the original Southern “snackon-the-go." Kids can grab a Coca-Cola bottle, which is an experience in itself, and adults can add peanuts and bourbon for an entirely different experience. All you need are bottles of Coca-Cola, individual packs of peanuts, and your favorite bourbon.

MS. PATTY'S ARTICHOKE DIP (Contributed by Susan Goehring)

1 can (14-16 oz) artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped 1 can (4 oz) roasted and diced mild green chilis, drained 1 cup favorite mayonnaise (not salad dressing) 1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded fresh parmesan cheese (not the green can) Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, transfer to a baking/serving dish. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and browned a little around the edges. Can easily be doubled (or tripled) and is still quite tasty at room temperature. Serve with baguette slices, bagel chips, or raw veggies. Leftovers, if any, can be reheated in the microwave (and make a delightful filling for a weekend omelette).

A “PICTURE PERFECT” LEMONADE STAND

Whether it’s fresh squeezed or made from a mix, presentation is important. Here, Shannon uses lemons and limes, fresh flowers, and a matching pitcher and glasses to help make this lemonade stand “picture perfect.”

Save Here, Splurge There …

Story by KRISTEN BOYETT Interior Designer, Lott’s Furniture Photos by JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY

CREATING A SPACE THAT IS TAILORED TO YOUR LIFESTYLE AND BUDGET

on hand that you can reuse. An existing dresser turned into a media cabinet… now you're saving right off the bat! When you do need to buy new, consider each piece's staying power. Don't overspend on "here today, gone tomorrow" trends. Instead, use paint and less expensive details like textiles, accents, and accessories to bring in a temporary trend or seasonal flair. Balance your space by flanking your higher-end splurges with more budget-friendly pieces. For example, use more affordable Designing a space with a budget in mind shouldn’t feel like a daunting task, and there’s no exact formula for getting started. Make your dollars These budget friendly handwoven baskets add texture and color to this splurge end tables beside your pricier sofa and try to offset the price work for you! Spend them where they matter most and work the hardest. worthy cocktail table. of your dining room using a less Splurge when you truly love something and know that you’ll keep it. expensive rug under the table and P rice tags and budgets. They’re not my favorite topics when it comes to my job as an interior designer, but the truth is, they are some of entertain. These things are used daily and should be of high quality to ensure they'll hold up well. More top-end craftsmanship and construction methods, along with chairs. Thoughtfully mixing higher and lower end items lends itself to a more acquired and collected look. And while comfort and quality may have a slight disadvantage in the lower price the most important. Considering a client's better materials, are worth the cost (think bracket, you don’t have to sacrifice style! design style, needs, and budget is like solid wood vs. particle board). Comfort and We've got some incredibly well-priced, putting together a puzzle - it is both chalcustom options, such as fabric and finish great-looking choices on the showroom lenging and rewarding. Filling a space (and choices, also go hand in hand with a more floor! especially an entire house) with furniture significant investment. Spending a little can get very expensive very quickly. My famore on these types of big-ticket items will Designing a space with a budget in mind vorite rule of thumb to keep from breaking pay off in the long run as they won't need shouldn’t feel like a daunting task, and the bank is: save here, splurge there. to be replaced for a long time. there’s no exact formula for getting started. Make your dollars work for you! Spend The first thing to do is prioritize. Before You'll also want to put a little more into the them where they matter most and work you shop, think through all the pieces you areas that give a first impression. A unique the hardest. Splurge when you truly love want and need to complete your space. chandelier and a luxurious rug can make something and know that you’ll keep it. Necessary furniture, of course… but don't your foyer feel interesting and inviting. Cut corners on things you may be ready forget the accent pieces, lighting, rugs, With the right touch, small spaces have a to toss in a few short years or feel you may artwork, textiles, and other decorative elbig impact and set the tone for your whole outgrow. ements. Thinking on a room to room basis house. For all splurges, try to stick with is helpful. Consider what's for function and pieces that feel timeless and classic so you Creating a home you love is all about what's for looks, and focus on highest use can be sure to love them for years to come. balance, and we’re here to help no matter and most visibility. Keeping things fairly neutral will provide longevity and make it easier to add or the budget! O L Splurge! Typically, your splurge-worthy items will be the most significant pieces in your most-used spaces, like the bed and dresser in your master bedroom, the sofa in your living room, and the dining table and chairs change the décor around the space. Think of these pieces as the building blocks for the rest of your house! Save! As you plan to purchase new furniture, Another tip: Don't sink a lot of money into rooms that are lower on your priority list or don't get used often. If you rarely have guests over, USE YOUR GUEST ROOM AS A SPACE TO SAVE. where you most often eat, gather, and keep in mind the things you already have

Patrick Simmons, Executive Director of the Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau, in front of the historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Waycross.