Randy and Sheila Thomas knew they were onto something special when they took their first look at the 4 bedroom, 3-1/2 bath home on a cul-de-sac on Montego Court in East Lexington. With nearly 5000 square feet on three levels, they could see lots of potential for shaping it into a stylish and comfortable haven.

And now after eight years, they have become as attached to their neighborhood as their home.

“I couldn’t begin to tell you how much we love living in the Greenbrier neighborhood,” Sheila said. “I feel safe here, everybody looks out for each other.”

“It’s a big community with a small town feel,” Randy said. “It’s the kind of place where you’ll see everybody out walking their dog.”

The first order of business was updating the home for the new millennium.

“The home was built in 1986, and there was wallpaper everywhere,” Randy said. “We spent days upon days stripping wallpaper. It would come off in pieces just about the size of postage stamp.”

“A lot of what we did was cosmetic, like painting and light fixtures,” Randy said. “We put granite countertops in the kitchen and in the downstairs kitchenette. The house was ready for new HVAC systems when we got here. And we’ve replaced the hot water heater, garage doors, and put all new insulation in the attic.”

As vice president of Burchfield and Thomas Construction, Randy assesses the house with a critical eye.

“The builder of this house did a wonderful job,” Randy said. “The walls are well-insulated. It’s got real wood Southern Lights windows by Gilkey, not thin vinyl windows that are inefficient. Our energy costs are very low for the size of the house.”

TWO HOUSES IN ONE

The front door opens to a large tiled foyer with a powder room and staircase. To one side is a formal living room with three-piece poplar dental molding and a wood-burning fireplace.

To the other side is a den, also with wood-burning fireplace. The first floor is notable for its 9-foot ceilings, exposed wood beams and many natural wood accents.

At the back of the house is an eat-in kitchen and a formal dining room that opens to a large Florida room overlooking the yard. There is also an office which is currently outfitted with a fainting couch and vintage oak display cases.

“When we’re entertaining or having the family over at holidays, the flow between the kitchen, the dining room and the Florida room gives everyone plenty of space to move around,” Sheila said.

Sheila enjoys going all out for Halloween, Christmas, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter and July Fourth with lots of decorations and entertainment opportunities for family and friends.

Which brings up the question of where to store everything.

“We’ve got acres and acres of storage space,” Randy said. “Having lots of closets is priceless, especially if you’ve got a lot of stuff.”

A sitting area on the second floor leads into the master bedroom with full bath. Three other bedrooms are on the second floor including a spacious junior suite.

The finished basement features a theater room, living area with kitchenette, full bath and an exercise/craft room.

“It’s really like having two houses when you’re entertaining,” Randy said. “You’ve got everything you need down here.”

COUNTRY CLUB LIVING

There’s a spillover effect from the Greenbrier Country Club that lends prestige to the surrounding community. For those who choose to become members at some level, many amenities are available in the clubhouse and on the grounds – golf, dining, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, family-oriented activities and a 19-acre lake for fishing.

“We’re three or four minutes from Interstate 64/75, and we’re just two miles from Man-O-War,” Randy said. “We’re close to shopping. It’s just four miles to Costco, Meijer’s, Cabela’s and any kind of eatery you could want. We’re just minutes from every place.”

Randy and Sheila are relocating to a small farm in Clark County to be closer to family.

“It was hard to find a house that we could give this house up for. I’ll miss the great neighbors and all the trick-or-treaters.” Sheila said. “But my mom in Mount Sterling is getting older and isn’t able to drive to Lexington now.”

Randy is looking forward to farm life.

“This has been an awesome house, but I was raised in a little place near Mount Sterling called Hog Creek,” Randy said. “To be honest, I want a little land and some tractor therapy. It’s about just getting on the big tractor and pulling the mower behind me and everything’s good.”