45 ‘‘We built on the existing shape,” says Humphrey of the home’s original footprint and exterior elevation. “The owners really wanted the stainless steel wire railings on the outside, for example, and so the look bridges the line of traditional shape with a more sleek and modern style.” The exterior’s sophisticated barely black paint color, in contrast to crisp white trim and gleaming vertical-paneled metal roofing, further enhances the striking home’s original lackluster curb appeal. Also, as part of the home’s exterior, Humphrey designed and constructed approxi-mately 900 square feet of attached outdoor living space, including covered front and back porches, an outdoor shower and a spacious waterside deck contiguous to a screened porch equipped with outdoor-living amenities. Comfortable custom-built furniture echoes the Mid-Century Modern trend brought forward for the 21st century. With overhead heaters, an oscillating fan and an outdoor wide-screen television, the family predicts the porch will be the go-to gathering place all seasons of the year. Paces from the porch and deck, a fire pit is surrounded by a pair of poured concrete sofas. From this ground level vantage point, the heated swimming pool beckons. Adjacent to the pool is a detached 575-square-foot heated pool house, which offers the family and their friends a full kitchen and dining area, plus rollaway bed space and a full bath. Pavers designed by Humphrey contribute functional and aesthetic qualities to the overall livability and landscape of the property’s perimeters and creatively link outdoor spaces, such as the pool area to the nearby covered dock — complete with sink, mini-fridge and cleaning spaces for the day’s catch. Susan Covington of SAC Art Design, Inc. says, “Bryan Humphrey definitely pulls it all together. He’s going to make it happen for the client, and he’s going to make it happen for me as the interior designer.” Of the home’s interior décor and overall style, Lee Malone knew from the outset she wanted the look to be different; not the typical coastal Cape Fear regional style, or the dark traditional look of her year-round home. She reached out to two designers, Mark Wilkerson of Austin, Texas, and Covington of Wilmington, NC. “I have always thought it would be fun to have a very contemporary house, and this place seemed like a good fit for that,” Lee says, giving a nod to the orange and turquoise color palette grounded in gray scale. Personally knowing Covington for a number of years and familiar with her friend’s eye for creative style, Lee says it seemed natural to reach out to Covington for help achieving the look she wanted. “Lee told me she wanted this house to be different. More modern. Contemporary. Clean lines. Minimalist, with Mid-Century elements,” Covington says. “That’s where we started.” Two years later, the end result is the seamless marriage of unique textures and vibrant colors complemented by the classic, smooth lines of the Mid-Century Modern style. Combinations of glass, concrete, limestone and marble are used innovatively on walls, floors and various surfaces throughout the home, offering both tactile and visual interest. Custom handcrafted wooden furniture, including bed frames, headboards, creative cabinetry and tabletops provide contrast, offering depth and warmth to the space. White walls and white accent pieces — notably Eero Saarinen’s iconic white Tulip Chairs and Arne Jacobsen’s hanging Egg Chair — accentuate bold graphics and original artwork showcased throughout the house. Covington designed interior doors for both efficiency and aesthetic purposes, while intriguing lighting, such as headboard backlights and rope lighting, offers appropriate ambience to the home’s overall style and scheme. “And there is the fun, funky wallpaper in the game room,” Covington laughs. “And a shuffleboard table.” Lindsey Malone says the game room is her favorite. Her favorite outdoor space? The pool, obviously. www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
2014-11
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