When Andrew and Anna Rayner began their search for a new home, they weren’t just looking for a beautiful property—they wanted a place that felt like home in a neighborhood that offered a strong sense of community. Guided by REALTOR® Dana Harshaw with BOLD Real Estate, the Rayners found exactly that in Governors Club.
Andrew, a chemical engineer of English heritage, spent decades in Dublin, Ireland, working in pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Anna, a Chicago native with a career in high-tech, had called California’s wine country home for years. Their paths crossed seven years ago at an event in San Francisco, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Governors Club provided the perfect setting for their next chapter. After Andrew and Anna expressed their desire for a vibrant social life and community, Dana encouraged them to explore the neighborhood. “Living here feels like being at a resort full-time, with endless opportunities to golf, swim, dine, and connect with neighbors,” Anna shares.
Inside their home, the Rayners have curated a stunning blend of old and new. Family history and heritage are on full display. “Andrew and I enjoy surrounding ourselves with things that remind us of where we’re from and what we’re about,” Anna explains. Among the cherished pieces are collections of both old and new Waterford crystal, which pay homage to Andrew’s Irish roots. These heirlooms are displayed in Anna’s mother’s antique buffet, which they carefully refurbished to restore its original beauty.
The Rayners’ home also reflects their travels and shared experiences. Unique trays made from barrel staves by a Sonoma artist celebrate their years in California wine country, while their bathroom features rich colors and intricate details inspired by the streets of Asia.
The dining room is a particular highlight, adorned with original paintings by Anna’s great-grandmother, a pioneering artist from Missouri who taught at the School of the Ozarks in the late 19th century. “She was truly ahead of her time,” Anna says. “Being a female professor in the 1890s was almost unheard of.” One of her great-grandmother’s works, a portrait of Sophia Allen—Anna’s great aunt—will be displayed in their soon-to-be-completed billiard room. Sophia’s uncle was none other than Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary War hero. Anna cherishes the original Windsor chairs and a table gifted to the family by Ethan Allen in 1768. “I feel so lucky to have a family that has preserved these treasures,” Anna reflects.
Since moving in, Andrew and Anna have been hard at work transforming their home to fit their style. Their previous “rustic casual elegance” aesthetic from California didn’t quite translate to North Carolina, so they’ve reimagined the space with locally made furniture and thoughtfully refurbished heirlooms. Where North Carolina homes often feature lighter trim with darker walls, the Rayners flipped the script with darker trim and lighter walls—a hallmark of California design. “We’re still in the process of pulling it all together,” Anna says. They’ve worked with local artisans to create a harmonious and personalized aesthetic that blends their past with their present.
What the Rayners appreciate most, however, is the vibrant community that Governors Club offers. Anna has already embraced local causes, including her involvement with the Pretty in Pink Foundation, which supports uninsured and underinsured women in North Carolina.
Their move to North Carolina has also opened the door to new adventures. They’re eager to explore the burgeoning wine scene in Virginia and spend time discovering the local culture. After a year of settling in, they’re looking forward to enjoying everything their new home and community have to offer.
Article originally published in Stroll Governors Communities Magazine!
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