Castillo del Mar, Myrtle Beach, SC

An Inviting Castle by the Sea

By Howard Elgison

It was many and many a year ago
In a kingdom by the sea
That a maiden there lived, whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child
In this kingdom by the sea
-Edgar Allan Poe's
Annabel Lee

Just as Edgar Allen Poe’s "Annabel Lee" conjures up images of picturesque, romantic, seascapes, so too does a Mediterranean style community known as Castillo del Mar in Myrtle Beach. A premier, 39-home site neighborhood in Grande Dunes, Castillo del Mar is a resort development situated between the intra-coastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean near Myrtle Beach.

Carrell Homes, one of two builders for Castillo del Mar, has built the grand Mediterranean style "Venetian" home, one of two models offered in Castillo del Mar.

"If you dream big enough, dreams really do come true," said Donald Gupton, a real estate developer who along with his wife Sue, recently purchased the splendid new home.

"We were sold on the entire picture," Gupton said. "We are confident that Castillo del Mar is a quality project because it is a Grand Dunes neighborhood. We know that we will be surrounded by properties that are in good taste and that will enhance in value."

Many of the stylistic ideas for the Venetian were inspired by a trip that the Carrell Homes owners’, Bruce and Sonya, took to Italy. Sonya’s vision was to create European design concepts that are not normally found in coastal homes.

We believe this is a very special home," she said. "It is a nice blend of Mediterranean architecture that is still adaptable to the Southern coastal environment. It’s definitely something new and different for Myrtle Beach." Sonya calls the home a true "joint venture" between Carrell Homes and all the other unique individuals who brought their expertise to the building of the home.

The room design, décor, color schemes and furnishings were done by Sally Stowe Abernathy of Sally Stowe Interiors. Ms. Abernathy’s color schemes reflect the rich Old World ambiance of the home.

The wine closet, located in a hallway adjacent to the kitchen, features a wrought iron grapevine door created by Conway metalsmith, Carl Grainger of Grainger Metal Works. "Grainger is a true artist," said Sonya, "And really put his heart and soul into this piece."

The pool and garden can be viewed from almost any room in the house, said Gupton -- one of his favorite features about his new home.

Homes in this South Carolina "Kingdom By the Sea" range from 2,500 to 3,000 square feet and are priced from the $600,000. One can only wonder if Poe’s anguished, heartbreaking ode to his lost love would have had quite the same depth of feeling had he endured his trial in such stylish surroundings. Misery may love company but comfort is fine all by itself.

Published from a previous issue of Carolina Homes & Interiors Magazine

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