the soothing palate of Navaho white, flint and khaki, with stained bamboo flooring
and grass cloth wall coverings. Upholstered furnishings arranged on a sisal floor rug
are anchored by a mantel of African sapele wood. The same wood covers the island
counter top paired with silver sea green granite elsewhere. The granite is matched in
the butler’s pantry with mosaic tiles and a
hammered nickel sink.
It is the second home that McKenzie
has designed with Berta Hamilton. This
one is more contemporary with allowances
for antique family pieces, like
those in the formal dining room and the
foyer, along with some family heirlooms
custom made by Pug Moore of Rocky
Mount. The fine line between traditional
and modern values is reflected in Berta
Hamilton’s choice of framed art: oil portraits
of family members hung in predictable
places while abstract oil pastels by
Herb Jackson line the stair wall.
A massive live oak tree enhances the
Hamilton site that Erwin worked to save.
Beneath the tree is a piece of circular
granite found on site that he converted
into a bench. By placing pavers between
the parking area — skirting the base of
the live oak and bench — the family and
its friends travel through the landscape to
the front entrance. Because live oaks are sensitive to root coverage, beneath the tree,
layers of gravel and perforated pipe allow air to flow to the tree’s roots. The mature
tree is uplit at night. The placement of the guest parking at the entrance to the property
permits room for a brick walled courtyard planted with climbing camellias and
hydrangeas.
“It’s more than a bunch of pretty plants; we try to create spaces … make outdoor
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WBM march 2012