Southport Magazine

Quaint Cottage Feel, Huge Inside
317 Clarendon in Southport offers space, charm, traditional character details all wrapped up in the perfect location
story by: ami brown photos by: chris webster
Looks are deceiving in this gorgeous Ginger Bread cottage. The outside may look small, but the inside is spacious, open and immaculately restored and remodeled. Picket fence, front porch living, this Southern Charm historic home won’t last long on the market.

This charming historic home in the heart of Southport has been fully renovated and includes all the modern conveniences and finishes. It’d located in a quiet neighborhood, a quick walk to the waterfront. The warmth shine and the sunlight floods in the home, with heart pine flooring, 10 foot ceilings and gas fireplace. The huge gourmet kitchen has custom cabinets, granite counters and GE Monogram Stainless Steel appliances including a gas cook-top. The master suite has two large bonus areas – one set up as an office and the other a crafting or workspace. There are 2 guest rooms and 2 additional full baths. There is a veranda off the master suite upstairs, the perfect spot to enjoy your favorite book and a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer. The large attached garage offers ample workshop space and more storage.
This Historic Singletary House was built in 1899 and is owned by Chris and Colleen Webster. They love this house and Southport, but feel it’s time to sell. They have the home listed with Jay Jolliff with Margaret Rudd Associates.
After many years living in Raleigh, they would bring their boat here every year and really enjoyed the region. They knew when they retired, they would make Southport their home.
This house may look like a small cozy bungalow, but looks are definitely deceiving. This house opens up, and is amazingly 3600 square feet.
Lots of light floods in the numerous windows with plantation style shutters. The southern style front porch is perfect for rocking, reading or just enjoying the warm weather as you wave at the friendly neighbors.
The house was lovingly remodeled with high-end finishes. The hardware has been kept in the period and the solid wood floor has an old school feel.
The 5-piece crown molding tops off the 12 foot ceilings. The living room has huge widows and is roomy. The built-in custom cabinets makes the perfect entertaining centerpiece.
There is plenty of room for oversized furniture and wall space for your own art collection.
Even though the remodel brought in the new, the old charm of a historic property is still everywhere you look.
The soft blues and yellow mimic the themed tones of the region and sea decor. Without feeling too beachy, you really get the feel of nautical living in a quaint Southern town.
The green picket fence set off the low maintenance lawn and is the perfect colorful choice. The dark shutters contrasts with the yellow exterior highlights the oversized windows.
The ornate wood trim on the porch, adn the cute cotage feel, reminds me of a Christmas Ginger Bread House. I can just smell them now!
I love the white wicker furniture on the front porch. The lightly colored cushions and the table lamp are artfully placed to give that high-society feel with a friendly down to earth style.
If you are in the mood for a drink, this house has you covered! With a built in wet bar, you can enjoy mixed drinks any time you want. A below counter wine fridge can hold plenty vino for those romantic dinners just for two.
The open plan gourmet kitchen offers granite counter tops, custom cabinetry and all top of the line stainless steel appliances. This is a chef’s dream kitchen, perfect for entertaining. The gas cook top is perfect for the ultimate entree.
Deep double sinks and dishwasher make clean up a breeze. Low maintenance is definitely my style!
The overhand of the countertops creates the perfect eat-in bar space for a couple of stools. A second bar space on the adjacent wall just under the windows, adds to the flow and creates intimate seating areas for cozy chats or having your morning coffee.

The huge formal dining room is painted in soft, cool tones. It’s calm and again feels majestic, high society. The contrasting dark mantle over the period fireplace is the perfect touch.
There is plenty of room for a large table, oversized buffets and a china cabinet. The chandelier sparkles and creates an inviting ambiance.
I am all about art work – and really need my wall space! This dining room is the perfect space for displaying some of your most prized paintings or portraits. The huge windows at the far end of the room let in a tremendous amount of light, feeling open and airy. I love how the dark furniture really stand out against the light walls and white trim work. It’s a real show piece!
I also love mixing the old and the new. Having an eclectic style can really make a statement in a home. Antique pieces along side of modern creates a signature style – a unique element that makes a house a home.
Little pops of color create interest and beauty and keeps the eye moving around the room – I love that in home style! Whether it’s a floral arrangement, a bold piece of art or a simple throw pillow – it can make all the difference.
The dining room floors are a showpiece, and I love that they are on full display – not covered up by a rug. I am a sucker for hardwood floors.

One of the bedrooms was turned into a huge office space. This could be perfect if you need a home office, or are a consultant and need your own getaway.
The placement of this corner desk really lets the room show it’s size. The under window seat would make the perfect space to take a break from staring at that computer screen and get a much needed dose of nature.
Again, light pours in the windows making every room bright and feel alive.
If you needed more bedrooms, this could easily be a spare room as well. It could also make a nice workout room, home gym or quiet Zen or Yoga room. It feels warm and inviting.
With two guest rooms and two more guest baths, you’ll never run out of space for all those visitors who want to enjoy Southport and the waterfront.
The colors are pale and soft, just enough color to be simply beautiful without feeling over decorated. I love it.
This work space has to be one of my favorites. I wish I had a space like this. There are long countertops, plenty of leg room underneath for several chairs to move around. I always have more than one project at a time.
The glass front cabinet doors open up the space and break up the white cabinets. This is the ultimate quilting room. It could be used for scrap-booking, painting, model building, jewelry making or so many other crafts and hobbies – the skies the limit with this room. There are lots of drawers and storage for everything you would need.
The pinnacle of rooms is this screened porch balcony over the garage. Set back from the road, it offers a quiet place to get away.
I can see myself sitting here reading, writing or taking a nap. The fans keep the space cool in the Summer and offers an Island breezy feel.
The French Doors are the perfect stylistic touch. I love the color palette chosen, pops of bright orange here and there gives the space a tropical vibe. It sure makes me want a Pina Colada!
I also love the details of the porch, the arch beautifully compliments the period but feels modern as well. I love the trim and attention to detail with all the woodwork.
Everywhere you look, style, grace and elegance fill the air, the walls, the floors and the entire house. It’s a floor to ceiling dream home, set in a lovely neighborhood, only blocks from the water front. I don’t think there is much more to ask for…. Except where’s the key to my new house?
The office space looking toward the hallway. Plenty of room for a large desk, file cabinets, shelves and all the things you may need to have a complete home office.

Mr Wesbster, the homeowner is also an avid photographer and took all the photos in this article.

Call Kay Jolliff for more information on this property: (910) 523-0624.