Home Tour: Celebrity Chef Paula Deen’s Waterfront Home
Luxury Defined finds out what Southern living is all about in this tour of Paula Deen’s luxurious riverside estate near Savannah, Georgia
The culture of the American South is closely aligned with its unique cuisine—just ask celebrity chef Paula Deen, famous for her authentic Southern restaurants, fourteen cookbooks, and the wildly popular TV series, Paula’s Home Cooking. But what about good, old-fashioned Southern hospitality? This week, Luxury Defined takes a tour of Riverbend, Deen’s luxurious waterfront home on exclusive Wilmington Island near Savannah, Georgia. This resort-like estate embodies the natural warmth and graciousness those from below the Mason-Dixon line celebrate as part of their rich cultural heritage.
Riverbend’s French-Caribbean aesthetic features a Delta-inspired design that pays homage to its picturesque Southern setting, as Spanish moss hanging from the estate’s trees evokes the quaintness of the American South.
Even with eight bedrooms and nine baths, the expansive main house still maintains a warm and inviting atmosphere. Luxurious details, charming salvaged fixtures from days gone by, and soaring ceilings with exposed beams await you at every turn.
For a chef like Deen, the kitchen is at the heart of any home, and Riverbend’s two kitchens spare no expense when it comes to professional-grade equipment. From top-of-the-line appliances to a butler’s pantry, the indoor kitchen is ready to serve even the most demanding chef.
Outside, a patio kitchen is perfect for casual Southern-style barbecues or the most sophisticated of catered events.
In the great room, a buffet sideboard is custom fitted with concealed refrigerating and heating drawers. While soaring ceilings and chandeliers create an enchanting atmosphere of elegance, a sitting area near the fireplace offers views of the river beyond.
The master suite features a private terrace and custom walk-in closet, but the enormous ensuite bathroom is the real showstopper with its spa-quality tub and spacious vanity area finished with fine marblework.
Hospitality is all about hosting, and Riverbend offers two cottages, a quaint barn housing a three-bedroom apartment, and a charming dock house perched right above the Wilmington River.
There’s no shortage of ways to relax here at Riverbend. Watch the sun set from the home’s private water frontage or experience the pool’s ‘dive-in theater.’
Animal lovers will be entranced by the activity in the house’s aviary and saltwater aquarium.
Riverbend retains the essence of Southern living and adds a touch of luxury to make it a one-of-a-kind Georgia gem.
