It’s the epitome of gracious southern living. Flanked by a canopy of trees and set back on a sprawling 1.8-acre lot, this is the home that issues an elegant invitation to Washington Park to all passersby on River Road.

Built in 1939, its design harkens back to another day — stately columns frame a gray slate veranda, against a backdrop of white brick and contrasting black shutters. It’s a sprawling, four-bedroom, 4,500-square-foot home, with the bonus of a detached garage and mother-in-law suite upstairs.

It’s a home made for family, according to owner Will Mayo.

Mayo has called it his home for the past 19 years, and what drew his eye when he was in the market is what draws the eye of those passing on River Road today.

“Its curb appeal. It’s an iconic house in Washington Park. Everyone drives by it. It’s a beautiful house,” Mayo said.

Mayo’s father grew up in the neighborhood just over the Runyon Creek bridge, east of Washington, and fresh out of law school, Mayo bought his first home in Washington Park — a quiet, waterfront neighborhood known for its family- and pet-friendliness.

“It’s just a great neighborhood, and even though the house is big, it’s really functional. It’s great for entertaining. It’s a great place to raise kids,” Mayo said.

Mayo’s growing family required the house to grow with them. Originally a three-bedroom, he and wife Michele converted what was a ground floor “gentleman’s den” to a master suite with bath and walk-in closet. They updated the mother-in-law suite, a space that holds a bedroom, bath with shower and its own kitchen, with new flooring and HVAC — so there’d be plenty of room for their five children. As for outdoor living space, they built a deck that wraps around the back of the house, looking out over a lawn that’s seen plenty of play over the years.

“The back yard is like a football field, and many a football game has been played back there. Many a basketball game has been played in that driveway, too,” Mayo said.

The sports fans of the house can be discerned readily — one room, originally son Patrick’s playroom, pays homage to Mayo’s alma mater, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, with walls painted Carolina blue, one of which boasts the school’s logo.

“I’m a fan, but my son is a fanatic,” Mayo laughed.

The Carolina Room isn’t the only color to be found in the house: from a large, sunny yellow entrance hall to a cool, two-toned gray dining room, from deep-blue master bath to a warm-brown living room inviting the outdoors in with skylights and windows and glass doors that open onto the expansive deck, this house is a celebration of color.

But with the kids off to college, the Mayos are following the trend of many empty-nesters: downsizing, in a bid for simpler life with less home and yard maintenance required. The couple recently built and moved into a Moss Landing Harbor Home on Water Street, and put their River Road home up for sale.

“It’s a grand lady. It is, and still can be, a beautiful homeplace. The right person can turn it into a showplace,” Mayo said.

The Mayo home is listed with Gerri McKinley, owner/broker with Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty in Washington.