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WBM november 2018
NSPIRED BY motifs
that harken back to
the Wilmington area’s
shipbuilding industry,
Batson brought many
maritime references into the
project without going over-board
— from cable railings
on outside decks to a playful
steam whistle that announces
the arrival and departure of
guests.
“Living on the water, you
have a lot of boat traffic,”
Batson says. “A lot of people
are going to know who you
are and that you’re at home.
So we installed a steam whistle
on the outside of the house.
If someone goes by and waves
he can hit that button.”
In the home’s primary stair-well,
a tile wall rises from the
ground level to the top floor.
Mazer says the original design
included a waterfall, but
potential moisture issues led
her to search for a porcelain
tile from Spain that mimics
the flow of water. Paired with
the foyer’s grand staircase,
the upper floor landing leads
to a pocket door entry to
Matthews’ man cave. A cutout
compass rose at the ceiling
and tailored inlays in the
mahogany floors extend the
ship building metaphors.
Matthews says he has prob-ably
one of the prettiest views
on the island. From the deck
he can see the town’s Thursday
night fireworks and the lights
of the Ferris wheel Memorial
Day to Labor Day. During the
off-season he hears no traffic,
only the songs of birds.
“This is God’s country,”
he says.
home of distinction
ANDREW SHERMAN
I