Home Of Your Dreams

Written by Susan Upton
Photography by Theresa Marie Photography & Design

Article originally published by Stages Mississippi in the May/June  2016 Issue

This year’s St. Jude Dream Home® is truly a gem, full of unique architectural details, custom finishes, and innovative products. Built by Deep South Custom Homes in the Indian Creek subdivision in Flowood, this 4 bedroom/3.5 bath, 3,300 square foot home valued at $500,000 assumes a rustic and farmhouse feel, yet exhibits modern touches throughout.

This year, St. Jude broke ticket sale records only halfway through the campaign. Open house tours prior to the giveaway were a huge success, thanks to the many volunteers who helped show the home to the public and promote ticket sales. As I was writing this story, I thought it was important to provide a little background on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude opened in 1962. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world. It is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. A child is never denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude has developed protocols that have helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the hospital first opened to 80 percent today. In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, was a mere 4 percent. Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94 percent, thanks to the research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.

Collaboration Increases Quality

The first Dream Home was given away in 1991 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since then, over 250 homes have been given away and nearly $290 million has been raised for St. Jude. The success of these projects would not be possible without the loyal local vendors and sponsors who commit their time and resources to each year’s home. The 2016 St. Jude Dream Home in Flowood was blessed with unwavering support from many national and local sponsors. The exterior of the home showcases a combination of Old Chicago Brick and paint brick, donated by Old South Brick; large antique pine beams from a St. Louis mill, donated by Plantation Millworks; and 50-year high-definition shingle roofing by Certain Teed. The garage door and all sheetrock were donated by Renfrow Supply, and all exterior and interior paint was donated by Sherwin-Williams and painted by Mina Paint Company.

Brian and Natalie Burkley of Deep South Custom Homes created a modern and rustic design that incorporates a touch of farmhouse whimsy with an industrial edge feel. Pictured on the previous page, the large picturesque dining room window is surrounded by one of Brian’s and Deep South Custom Home’s trademarks of old brick. Overall, the home’s inspiration came from their love of old, timeless character mixed with today’s modern amenities to give the home a completely fresh but cozy feel. Michael English of Ross Furniture in Flowood generously donated his time and inventory to stage the 2016 St. Jude Dream Home. In keeping with the architectural design of the home, he chose a simple, pine farmhouse table for the dining room with soft, linen upholstered chairs. The large storage cabinet is a late 1800s bookcase, also in pine.

As the tour continues inside, we want to personally thank those of you that reserved your ticket for the chance to win this gorgeous home. And if you were not the lucky winner, then Deep South Custom Homes can still build your dream home! However, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital if you feel led to do so. Finding cures and saving children’s lives is St. Jude’s mission. You never know when a friend or family member will need their treatments.