Fairy tale come true

By KATIE HURST

Misty and Victor Binkerd in front of their castle home.

Once upon a time, Misty Binkerd married her husband Victor and they moved into his home on his family’s land in Shelby. The home was little more than a shack, but the young couple was happy and in love.

Now 18 years and four children later, Victor has followed through on a promise he made to Misty when they wed – that some day he would build her her dream home. On the same land, Victor’s able hands turned the couple’s meager dwellings into a home fit for 14th century royalty.

“She’s my princess and every princess deserves a castle,” Victor said.

A castle is exactly what Misty got with the two-story, five-bedroom home Victor built. Complete with two stone towers, a moat and drawbridge, Misty said she could not be happier with their new home.

“It’s a fairy tale come true,” she said

The Binkerds have now lived in their castle home for three years, giving them plenty of time to complete the modernized old world theme. From the knights of armor to the authentic family crests, the Binkerds have put thought and effort into every detail of their dream home.

In the open floor plan of the first floor, family can easily mix and mingle between the living room, dining room, kitchen, bar, game room and library. Antiques such as the 1840s piano and the family heirloom painting give the old world theme an authentic feel.

“As we do it, we want to do it right,” Misty said. “We’re not trying to make it a trinkety place.”

Victor and Misty said building the house themselves allowed them to customize every detail. In the kitchen, instead of a built in wine rack, guests will find a built in soda rack. Victor also kept in mind the family’s flair for entertaining when designing the home. A basement theater provides stadium seating for 18 with a 10-foot screen, the upstairs game room allows 16 people to play Xbox at once and an outdoor stage, pool and picnic area is the perfect venue for summer shindigs.

Victor even set up a projector, light and sound system outdoors for drive-in movies at home.

One of the most unique aspects of the home is the master bedroom, the only portion of the Binkerd’s old house that remains. Decorated as an enchanted forest, the bedroom includes trees sprouting from walls, painted waterfalls and a moss-like bed set into a base of boulders. Victor said he didn’t follow a design for the bedroom, just let his imagination run wild.

“I just decided this is what I wanted it to look like,” he said. “This is our spot. The rest of the world disappears when you’re in.”

The Binkerds castle home has gained a reputation, for both good and bad, Misty said. The couple is used to strangers driving by for a peek at the house and even knocking on the door to ask for a look inside. Misty said when they had furniture delivered to the home, the delivery men were scared to come inside because they thought it was haunted.

“For Halloween we decorate really large,” Misty said. “This house lends itself to a spooky atmosphere.”

Whether admired or feared, Misty said it doesn’t matter what other people think of their home. She said her favorite quote describes the home perfectly and is kept in sight across a painting in the living room that reads, “Once in a while in an ordinary life, love gives you a fairytale.”

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