home of distinction
When Ken and Denise bought the home, it
included a defunct dumbwaiter that proved to
be one of the most interesting challenges of the
renovation. The manufacturer had long gone
out of business, so it couldn’t be repaired. It
was replaced with a pneumatic vacuum eleva-tor
from Port City Elevator that maintains the
same footprint, preserving space while adding
functionality.
A pneumatic vacuum elevator uses air pressure
to move the passenger cab up and down inside an
airtight tube. In addition to taking up less space
than a traditional elevator, it is energy-efficient
and quiet. Catherine was able to find handrails
that worked with both the modern feel of the
elevator design and the relaxed, beachy aesthetic
of the home’s redesign.
The fireplace mantle is Denise’s favorite detail
of the renovation. It was fashioned from a board
salvaged from the old Crystal Pier, a place the
whole family enjoyed on vacations as the children
were growing up. Denise spotted a picture at
Re-eco Design in Wilmington that had been
made from salvaged wood from the pier and
inquired about lumber that might be purchased
for a modern hearth with a piece of Wrightsville
Beach and family history.
Replacing a defunct dumb-waiter,
the pneumatic vacuum
elevator saves space and adds
convenience.
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WBM january 2020