218 Shelmore Blvd. - I'On, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Life really can be a breeze at I'On, an upscale community in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, that seems more like a town within a town than simply a neighborhood of luxury homes.

Located Highway 17, just three miles from the modern Arthur Ravenel Bridge ? the gateway to historic Charleston ? and not much farther to some of South Carolina's beautiful beaches, I'On offers its residents a wide range of recreational activities, as well as ample opportunity to enjoy nature and the company of their neighbors. I'On has a top-of-the-line tennis facility, a pool, a workout center, a boat ramp, a church, two picturesque lakes and a network of walking paths. There's even a rookery, a sanctuary where bird lovers can relax and watch their feathered friends thrive in their own community within a community.

While some neighborhoods can boast of recreational activities that almost rival those of I'On, few can match the convenience of its downtown area, a collection of shops, a restaurant and a pub, and a bed and breakfast. I'On even has its own school. First through eighth graders don't have to travel far to attend the East Cooper Montessori Charter School on Ponsbury Road.

Even fewer neighborhoods can hold a candle to I'On's sense of community, according to Carolina One Realtor Catha Remington, an I'On resident herself. She pointed out that neighbors walk together, gather for concerts at the amphitheater on Westlake and participate in community activities at Maybank Green, a large, grassy area along Shelmore Boulevard.

"I'On is not just a neighborhood," Remington said. "It's a community."

Just across the street, at 218 Shelmore, she is offering a three-story home for sale that features large, airy rooms, wraparound porches which are specifically designed to catch and highlight the gentle breezes drifting in from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Adjacent to the main house is a wonderful carriage house with opportunities for a versatile guest suite, office space or owner retreat.

At just over 5,000 square feet, the home appears even larger, in part because the kitchen/great room combo features 12-foot beamed ceilings and oversized windows. The kitchen is equipped with top-quality Bosch, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances and a large granite-top island, along with a huge built-in cherry china cabinet. Just off the kitchen is a walk-in pantry with a butler's area, complete with a wine cooler and icemaker. Behind the kitchen is an oversized mudroom with convenient built-in benches and a closet for book bags, shoes and recreational gear.

The first floor includes large and airy formal living and dining rooms, a family room with a fireplace and built-in bookshelves and a room with a full bath that can be used as a study, an office or even a downstairs master bedroom.

"This house is light, airy and spacious," Remington commented. "That's just one of the many features that sets it apart."

There are three bedrooms on the second floor, each with its own bathroom. The spacious master bedroom includes a bathroom with an enormous walk-in shower and a Jacuzzi tub. One flight up is still another bedroom with built-in shelves, more than ample storage space and a full bathroom. The third floor also features a large, open area that can serve as an office, a playroom or a media room. Regardless of its use, a large window provides a perfect view of Maybank Green.

The entire house, built by Tanis Development Co., is adorned with heart pine floors, deep crown molding and mahogany doors, as well as a security system and a central vacuum system.

There's even more to admire at 218 Shelmore. Situated on a professionally landscaped corner lot, this home suited to the Charleston environment is equipped with hurricane shutters and a metal roof.

The house, like I'On, is a perfect spot to come home to at the end of a day in the Lowcountry.

For more information about the home at 218 Shelmore Blvd., contact Realtor Catha Remington at (843) 697-1667, (843) 849-5212 or cremington@carolinaone.com, or visit www.IOnHomesForSale.com and www.catharemington.com.

By Brian Sherman