DOWNSIZING was not the intention when the
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WBM october 2020
Carroll family began to seek new real estate. But
when Robby stumbled upon a one-story, single-fam-ily
home in Wilmington with the possibility for a
vast outdoor space overlooking the 10th hole of Cape
Fear Country Club golf course, they immediately saw the potential.
At first glance, it was the epitome of a fixer upper. The home was
built in 1950 and had been abandoned since Hurricane Florence hit
in 2018. The blue tarp on the roof and several desperately needed
repairs were deterrents for average home buyers.
But the Carrolls are no average home buyers. Where others saw
obstacles, they saw opportunities.
“My husband had already walked through once and wanted to take
me to see the house,” says Liz Carroll, owner and lead designer of Liz
Carroll Interiors. “I told him that I would walk through and I could
tell him in two minutes if I could fix it or not.”
She walked in and immediately saw the charm and capability the
house had to offer.
The couple decided to buy the home, unsure whether they were
going to keep or rent it. But as they made the renovations they
wanted, they decided to enjoy it themselves.
The importance of a large outdoor space was high on their list, so
the Carroll family quickly learned to love having a one-story home.
“My whole family has loved it,” Liz says. “It’s just so much easier
with three kids, especially now that we are all spending extra time
at home due to the pandemic.”
home of distinction
The Carroll home’s original monotone tan shade lacked curb appeal and did little to highlight the home’s architectural bones. After
the remodel, the home was given a facelift by adding a bright white coat of paint to contrast the new charcoal gray roof. Fresh land-scaping
ties the home into its natural surroundings. Before renovation, the backyard was overgrown and had drainage issues.