Weekend Getaway on Lake Athens In all respects, this is a lake house. Every room is oriented with a view of the picturesque lake-- the bright furnishings, open spaces, and light-hearted touches inside leave little doubt. Located about an hour's drive southeast of Dallas in Athens, Texas, the small town's charm and the glistening waters of Lake Athens enticed the home owners to build a weekend retreat. The home features the kind of casual comforts and traditional touches that are perfect for lakeside living. The home exudes the casual confidence of a classic Nantucket dwelling, but remains rooted in all things Texas. Beaded-board details, a scattering of antiques, and the sunny yellow of the exterior mix with signature touches. The overall design contributes to comfortable family spaces and capitalizes on lake views to the rear.

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Excerpt from Aug 2001 article in the Athens Daily Review For the Wheat family, their Lake Athens house is a great weekend retreat. But for readers of Southern Living magazine, it could become the model for homes across the south. The house named "Wheat Dreams" by the family, is featured in the July 2001 issue of Southern Living. The magazine praises the design for its elegance, while still standing up to the pressure of an active family with four children, as well as a pair of dogs. Built about three years ago on the north side of Lake Athens, Southern Living points to the house as a great example of "casual elegance." "The home that they built exudes the casual confidence of a classic Nantucket dwelling, but like the Wheats, remains rooted in all things Texas," reads the article. Colorful furniture, bright tiles and lots of windows create what Southern Living calls the "perfect getaway for the busy family." The Wheats live in the Dallas area, but decided they wanted a weekend spot in East Texas about three years ago. "We looked at property on Cedar Creek Lake first, but that area was just too busy," said Mrs. Wheat. "Then we looked at Lake Athens and it was so peaceful." The Wheats met with their architect, Steve Chambers, and began construction with Tidmore Building of Athens. "The inside of the house is very unique," said builder Danny Tidmore.

The Wheat home at Lake Athens was featured in Southern Living magazine's July issue. The house was built by Tidmore Building of Athens, as a weekend getaway. "It has the Cape Cod design, plus extensive woodwork and custom tilework inside", he continued. "You really have to take a look at the inside to appreciate it." Once the work was done and the Wheats had settled in, Chambers contacted Southern Living, Mrs. Wheat said. "He has a working relationship with Southern Living and likes to call them when he's done something he's proud of," she said. The magazine sent a photographer to Athens last August along with one of their editors and even a stylist to help the family look their best. The entourage spent three days in town soaking up the East Texas atmosphere and going over every aspect of the Wheats' house. So why did Southern Living choose "Wheat Dreams?" "I think because of the way the house is designed," Mrs. Wheat said. "The colors, there's a lot going on that's real cheerful. It's a place you want to spend time."