home of distinction
parts of the house that are quite traditional and formal, but I like that it’s not too precious and
71
Carpenter Jim Miles built all of the paneling in the house and
is credited with hiding the guest suite door within the lines of
the living room panels without disturbing the visual impact of
the fireplace, elements of which — mantels, pilasters and tile sur-rounds
— were salvaged from Carole’s grandmother’s house in
Virginia and rebuilt on a larger site.
Local craftsmen worked with out-of-state masons and builders
in a broad mix of Eastern Seaboard expertise. The Johnsons say
the melting pot of workers fused into a well-oiled machine that
produced an exceptional result.
“I was a headhunter for 20 years and have a lot of experience
hiring people. When you hire people you are hiring their charac-ter
and we were fortunate in this case that everyone was a good
person,” says Richard, a 1990s Internet entrepreneur. Richard
has recently created a nonprofit group to preserve Masonboro
Island where he walks with his dogs weekly.
Carole says building the house was a full-time job for three
years, but it didn’t take them long to unwind and enjoy the
beauty of what they created when they moved in August 2011.
“It’s our own little paradise,” she says. “The view calls you out
there and it was in our hearts to be here.”
he house is serenely white with punctuations of
t
tans, blues and greens to accentuate its coastal sem-blance.
The windows, doors and screens are all large,
clear and views are unobstructed, save a minor interruption by
the massive oak that anchors the front lawn. Porches wrap the
waterfront exterior. Shading the warm summer sun, they are
made inviting with hanging beds and screened-off escapes where
the Johnson children do homework or play.
Large-scale rooms evoke the family lodge that Richard loves.
Their wide hallways create the perfect paths for sea breezes to
Opposite and above: Bold blue walls add drama to the dining room. Antiques and family heirlooms are paired with Louise Gaskill chandeliers. Below,
elements of a fireplace salvaged from a family estate find a new home in the living room.
71
WBM june 2012 71
WBM june 2012
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM