$1,400,000

Elegant, Bright, and Made for Gathering. Sunlight is the first thing you notice. It pours through tall windows, spills down a sweeping curved staircase and carries all the way through to the gardens out back. This painted-brick French Provincial in Midtown's Sterling Place has the elegance of a classic and the warmth of a home that has been well loved, with more than 4,000 square feet made for both lively evenings and quiet mornings. Ceilings rise high throughout. In the living room they soar to 16 feet, creating a bright, airy space that feels grand when the house is full and cozy when it's just you. Hardwood floors, custom built-ins, and fine cabinetry and trim add character to every room. This is a house that loves company. The 300-square-foot kitchen, with its center island and gas cooktop, is where everyone ends up. From there it flows into the formal dining room and the sun-washed sunroom, which is more than 200 square feet and wrapped in windows that bring the garden views indoors. Outside, the backyard sets the rhythm of the day. Mornings begin with coffee under the covered awning, surrounded by greenery and birdsong. Weekends bring friends over for a barbecue on the spacious patio, which spills onto an open lawn with plenty of room for a game of badminton. As evening settles in, gather around the outdoor fireplace with a glass of wine while the sounds of wildlife and the fully fenced, beautifully landscaped yard make it feel like a private oasis. When it's time to unwind, the main-level primary suite opens right onto the patio and offers two walk-in closets, custom built-ins and a spa-like bath with dual vanities, a soaking tub and a walk-in shower. Upstairs, a guest suite with a private bath and two bedrooms sharing a Jack-and-Jill bath give everyone their own space. A walk-up attic offers exceptional storage. Neighbors wave from tree-lined sidewalks and come together each year for a holiday party, chili cook-off and community garage sale. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is just five minutes away, so you're close when it matters and home quickly to the peace of your own backyard at the end of a long shift. Downtown Wilmington's restaurants, Wrightsville Beach, shopping and the airport are all under 15 minutes from your door.