Description of 3542 Bason Road, Mebane NC 27302
The Griffis-Patton House, located on the Mebane-Graham Lake on a tract of just over ten rolling acres, is a substantial and well-preserved two-story brick Greek Revival style home. It's estimated construction was 1839-1840. This is one of the first houses in Alamance County known to have been constructed with thick walls made entirely of brick. The front porch with the original brick steps leads to double wood doors which open into the foyer. The original L-shaped historic structure has been transformed and offers a front sitting room with complete restoration of the original plaster, beadboard ceilings, with an exposed brick wall featuring original hand-made bricks and gas fireplace. There is a separate library and family room. The family room, which was added to the home in the 1940s, has been transformed into a space with beautiful vaulted wood ceilings with wood beams, a large French window and a working wood stove. The side porch, accessed from the parking area is supported by the original rounded brick columns and leads into the family room, which also has 2 double French entry doors. Curry and Company ceiling lighting was specifically selected to enhance the feel of each of these spaces. There is a large dining room with a glass chandelier and gas fireplace. Downstairs windows are 9-over-9, original or restored and have storm windows. The nineteenth century frame kitchen, a rectangular one-story building covered with a gabled roof was remodeled and offers exposed wood beams and exposed brick wall, a Blue-Star gas stove, granite counter tops, a pantry room which stores a washer and dryer, folding table, wood slab shelves and extra storage. There is additional storage under the stairs and off the kitchen, is a full bath with a beautiful antique claw foot tub. The downstairs primary bedroom was an addition in the 1990's, with an exterior designed to beautifully replicate the brick work of the original structure. The bedroom area has trey ceilings and includes a bathroom with a large walk-in shower, antique copper garden tub, a toilet room with bidet and heated seat, heated floors, 2 single sink vanities with make-up vanity attached to the larger one. Additionally, there are 2 large walk-in closets, a cedar-lined coat closet and separate linen closet. The 2 double wide French doors with transom windows lead to the outside covered patio and pool. Of note, lead glass transom windows from an 1800's Michigan home complement the bathroom and hallway entrances in this space. The original L-shaped stairs lead to a second-floor foyer and 3 large bedrooms. The secondary bedroom, in the back portion of the upstairs has 2 large closets and an extra storage area, a full bathroom with a shower, whirlpool garden tub, toilet and vanity as well as an outside balcony overlooking the property. There is a second full bath serving the other 2 large bedrooms, both with closet space. Upstairs windows are 9 over 6 and all have storm windows. Each room in the home with the exception of the primary bedroom and kitchen has a fireplace (7), all with original mantels except the library, which was replaced in the 1940s and the family room woodstove.
The entrance to the main property offers an electric gate which leads to a large parking area flanked on the left by the side entrance porch. The back covered patio off the primary bedroom leads to the L-shaped pool. The pool has a pergola and large area for lounging. The formal established garden has roses, hydrangeas, flowing trees, spices, ornamental grasses, ivy, a large peony garden and a Wisteria-covered pergola. The garden is fully fenced with gates and additionally offers a raised vegetable garden, the original cook's kitchen—which currently acts as an office/workout room, the historic well-house and gazebo. Outside of this area is a second 5 ft barbed wire lined fenced along with a garden house, a wood shed, a tree house (with electricity and internet) and a 5 stall barn and tack room