Batenic Family Custom Home
In 2007 we met Mark and Kathy Batenic. They owned a lot on Poteskeet Drive in the Chicahauk area of Southern Shores and already had a set of house plans they were about to complete. We “walked” through the plans as we discussed their lifestyle, their needs and wants. There were some changes that needed to be made given the local building and zoning codes. As those changes to the plan were being made we put together a price range and contract for them to review. A couple weeks later we met on site to review the contract, selections, and specification sheets.
The next day the Batenic’s were leaving on a business trip and would be away for about a month. Anxious to get started they asked 2 questions. Could we forgo the contract right now until they got back and had a chance to review the documents? Of course, we said yes, take all the time you need. Then came the second question. How much will you need over the next month or so to get started on the house? We don’t want to wait until we get back to start. We figured out an amount and they wrote us a check right there. We started making calls that afternoon to line the trades up.
Mark’s hobby is collecting trains. Hobby is probably not the right word because hobby assumes you spend your free time devoted to that. Mark has very little free time. He has collected numerous train sets in all different scales. The room over the garage was the train room. The detached garage has full-size rail work cars.
Kathy has a room dedicated to her sewing hobby. Custom cabinets house her yarns, cloths, and other accessories.
The house is a traditional style that fits in the coastal maritime setting of the Outer Banks and is appointed with walnut and ceramic tile floors throughout. Custom cabinetry in the living room, office, laundry room, and bathrooms with granite countertops. The kitchen and butler’s pantry have two cherry base cabinets with white wall cabinets above and glass transom display cabinets above the wall cabinets.
Paneled wainscoting adorns the entry, stairs, and dining room. Crown molding, custom wrapped beams, and wide moldings on the doors and windows are throughout the home.
The concrete swimming pool with black pebble plaster has a stamped, two color concrete deck and a stone wall on the canal side of the pool that has 3 waterfall features. The built in hot tub on the end of the pool allows water to flow into the pool from the hot tub.
This spring we helped the Batenic’s with repainting the inside of their house and making a few minor repairs around the house.
Together we won the Outer Banks Homebuilders Parade of Homes Judge’s and People’s Choice awards in 2008. Although the Batenics home has so many special features it is still known as the Train house. The railroad sign, train tracks, and Larry car next to the garage probably have something to do with that.
The Batenics other hobby is owners of Toyrific in Duck at the Scarborough Shops. Stop by the toy store and pick up some gifts for the kids and grandkids. They have a lot to offer.