Lake Oconee visit was an inspiration

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC


During a birthday trip to the Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation, Stephen and Melanie Schoen decided they wanted to visit Lake Oconee more often. Melanie, 40, chatted about their second home in Reynolds Plantation, which they purchased last year.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo, for the AJC The Schoens brought in an interior designer to develop the decor that they wanted. Muted colors in the great room emphasize the lake setting.

Christopher Oquendo, for the AJC Stephen and Melanie Schoen had visited Lake Oconee for the first time in August 2008, and were impressed enough with the setting to buy a vacation home in the Reynolds Plantation development.

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Why Lake Oconee: The couple had never visited Lake Oconee before that August 2008 trip, and they were wowed by the setting, golf course and other activities. “By Saturday we were looking at real estate,” Melanie said. “One of the most surprising things is that this beautiful huge development is just right there in middle Georgia.

“It was surprising, I guess, the scope and the size of what Reynolds Plantation has to offer and all the amenities that they have. It’s like a full-scale country club times five.”

Their place: A new four-bedroom, 4½-bath home by Greensboro-based DreamBuilt. One of their favorite features is the 500-bottle wine cellar, which they haven’t had in previous homes. The terrace level includes three bedrooms and a large living space. One of her favorite spots is the porch, where she and Stephen enjoy sitting with their coffee and soaking up the lake views.

The décor: The couple hired interior designer Mary McWilliams of Atlanta-based MaryMac & Co. on a tight deadline because they wanted to entertain family last Thanksgiving. She found antique items and other pieces to fit with the traditional Southern décor that they wanted, and also used existing furniture including European antiques that had been in her husband’s family.

How far from home: About 1 hour, 20 minutes from their home in Vinings.

How often they’re there: Typically twice a month in the summer and as often as possible during the spring and fall, with the family sometimes heading up there as late as Saturday afternoon.

What they do when they’re there: Boating, tubing, golfing, playing tennis, dining out. They hold special occasions, such as daughter Emily’s recent 16th birthday party, at the lake house. They spend much of their time at the Lake Club, which has three pools.

What they considered: The home’s proximity to the lake was a priority — they wanted to be able to view the water and have a dock for their boat. They also looked at what the children (Will, 2; Emily, 16; Stephen Jr., 18; Molly, 21; and Mary Lauren, 22) all would enjoy. “My little guy is too young to be on the lake or on a tube, so the Lake Club and pool was very important. My husband will drive us over to the Lake Club and drop Will and I off, and the kids will go tubing. That works well for our family.”

At a Glance

Stephen and Melanie Schoen’s home at Reynolds Plantation has four bedrooms and 4 ½ baths. They purchased it in October 2008.

Community overview

Reynolds Plantation, about 90 minutes from Atlanta, is a community on the 19,000-acre Lake Oconee, which boasts 374 miles of shoreline. Community amenities include five golf courses (totaling 99 holes), with a sixth course by Pete Dye in development. Other golf features include its Golf Academy, led by Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor Charlie King, and TaylorMade Performance Lab. The property has three full-service marinas, five restaurants, three tennis facilities totaling 14 courts, five pools at its Lake Club, more than 14 miles of walking trails (a conservationist also is on staff) and a wellness center. Residents are involved in more than 30 self-organized groups and clubs.

Info

Reynolds Plantation

www.reynoldsplantation.com

Getting there

Take I-20 east to Augusta. Take Exit 130 to Greensboro/Eatonton and turn right on Lake Oconee Parkway. Travel 7 miles and turn left onto Linger Longer Road. Travel 2.5 miles and turn right onto Jackson House Lane into Reynolds Plantation.

Recent sales

$873,000: 1011 Falling Creek Drive, Greensboro 30642. A three-bedroom, 3 ½-bath home includes a screened porch with a fireplace.

$1.2 million: 1023 Holt’s Ferry, Greensboro 30642. A four-bedroom, 4½-bath home that was the neighborhood’s first EarthCraft-certified home, the Links GreenHouse.

For sale

$845,000: 1321 Swift Creek, Greensboro 30642. A four-bedroom, 3½-bath home on .61 acres.

$739,000: 1051 Early Place, Greensboro 30642. A four-bedroom, 4½-bath home on .78 acres.