634 Houston Rd., Columbus, NC 28722

'Once-in-a-While' is an Arts-and-Crafts style cottage with a dose of folksy foothills craftsmanship and a bit of colorful whimsey. Within its 2-acre site, the house is surrounded by flower gardens and connecting pathways with the rest of the land forested. At the gable end is a rustic deck covered by the roof. A stone patio with a firepit spans the distance to a studio building. Hardwood floors and wood-paneled walls attest to the skilled hands of the carpenters. The highly functional galley-type kitchen forms an engaging intersection between the living room and the big country dining room, merging the chef with family and guests. Within the past two years, the house has been completely renovated within and without, including the gardens and the new 531 sqft. studio/workshop. 'Once-in-a-While' will invite you to stay a while. Somehow, it feels like an old acquaintance.