Satisfaction on the Water

The Rolling Stones may have said “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” but they would certainly find it in a rock star of a home overlooking Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach.

Kersting Peridot Interiors used a thoughtful combination of contemporary furnishings and fixtures sourced worldwide in a design plan inspired by the homeowners’ love of the legendary band. Original artwork, murals by local artists, and a collection of Rolling Stones memorabilia are interspersed throughout.

The architectural design is by Kersting Architecture. Architect Jim Graham worked on the project with the late Michael Kersting; both fans of 1960s rock music. The result is an on-the-water gem that even Mick Jagger himself might find satisfying.

Upon completion, the home — the first-place winner of the Carolinas ASID Excellence in Design Award — was given the name Satisfaction.

The original home, built in 1959 on Harbor Island, did not have much rock or roll.

“It was a great little old cottage on the water, but nothing you would drive by and get excited about,” says Graham, the project architect when he was with Kersting Architecture.

A side tower was added, with the elevator now able to travel to a fourth-level stop. The design added two outdoor waterfront spaces for a total of four and increased the square footage to more than 6,000. An original fireplace running up the exterior is now inside. The original stairwell was transformed into a wine room, becoming a core design feature of the main living space.

“We preserved the flat roof along the front of the house and reshaped it, cleaned up the trim, put new small spindle steel posts, put live vegetation on top of it, but pretty much every other element of the house has been completely transformed. It was a dramatic transformation,” Graham says.

The two-phase renovation added two outdoor on-the-water areas overlooking Banks Channel featuring ipe and mahogany wood finishes and cable railings. Full circle views stretching to the beach can be enjoyed from the 30-foot sectional on the rooftop porch. On the second level deck is a unique 12-foot-tall swing lounger.

“There’s this company called Dedon and they do this huge nest, it’s like the I Dream of Jeannie lamp. We said, ‘This would be perfect here!’” says Leslie Stachowicz, president and principal designer of Kersting Peridot Interiors.

“When we heard they were installing it, we said, ‘We’re stopping by!’ It’s massive and incredible,” says Chelsea Bennett, Kersting Peridot project designer.

Stachowicz worked with Bennett to help produce the “wow” factor.

A fourth-floor bar at the top of the elevator tower and a rooftop deck featuring 360-degree views of Banks Channel were two of many statement spaces added to the home that declare rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay.

The Rolling Stones originated in London. Abbey Road in north London is home to one of the world’s most famous recording studios and the iconic zebra crossing image on the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. It is fitting the seven-foot chandelier cascading through three floors into the entry of the home was custom designed by Cameron Design House, a bespoke sculptural lighting company located on Abbey Road.

“We worked closely with the lighting designers to make sure it fit the space. Each piece was carefully planned, and the glass blown by hand. The color is unique in the way that it was mixed for this particular piece and can’t be exactly recreated. It’s a forever conversation piece,” Bennett.

“We knew we wanted an impactful piece to go there, it’s really an illuminated sculpture. They wanted to see something bold and interesting and to have quality pieces,” Stachowicz says.

The homeowners wanted their Rolling Stones memorabilia to be delicately worked into the design plan without going over the top. The elevator, however, was a space destined for some fun. It has custom wallpaper.

“We customized the Rolling Stones image and scaled it up; the side walls are a reflection of the image,” Bennett says.

Murals by local artists including Nathan Verwey and Sullivan “Sully” Anlyan bring in color against crisp, white walls. Furnishings and fixtures add uniqueness. Companies sourced from include Roche Bobois, Natuzzi, Dedon, American Leather, DWR, RH and Crate & Barrel.

“We blended modern pieces such as the Eames lounge chair with contemporary furnishings like the Roche Bobois Wonder sideboard. There is a lot of contemporary European influence in the style and design of the furnishings and lighting,” says Stachowicz.

The fireplace was restored to become a focal point. Original structural steel columns in the main living space are wrapped in white leather with red stitching to provide softness and style.

“They were months in the making, they are hand-stitched,” says Bennett.

The staircase that went up the middle of the home was turned into a conditioned, glassed wine room.

“It’s one of many featured elements of the home. The architects and interior designers worked together to create these artistic structural pieces for display,” says Graham.

A primary owner’s suite and deck overlooking the water provides a private escape. The space includes a closet fit for a rock star. Stachowicz and Bennett put lighting behind the walls.

“It’s that ‘ahh’ when you open those closet doors,” says Stachowicz. “This was just a really nice display for shoes and purses while also bringing in the proper function.”

The primary bathroom pairs large scale charcoal tile with a mosaic tile backsplash. Original window placements were kept, preserving character and charm. The shower has a floating bench beneath a window.

“It also has a heated floor and heated towel bar. It’s got all the bells,” says Bennett.

Local vendors included Bluewater Surfaces, Southeastern Tile Connection, Inline Tile, Archer Read Woodworking, Bird Decorative Hardware and Ferguson Enterprises. A signature tile layout was used in a powder room.

“That was something we hadn’t done before, inset the tile into the wood flooring,” says Stachowicz.

“We just tried to think outside the box and be creative and mix in some really beautiful accent tiles and it really came together,” says Bennett.

Black-and-white candid photos of Rolling Stones band members are interspersed throughout as well as art pieces by artists including Keith Haring and Jeff Koons.

Throughout the construction and installs, Kersting Peridot Interiors posted pictures captioned with lyrics from Rolling Stones songs on Instagram. They were a hit.

“The first one we did we thought it would be cool and fun. It got a good response, so we said, ‘OK, every time we post, we’re going to put a Rolling Stones lyric to go with it,’” says Stachowicz.

The homeowners were thrilled with the design and its lively, musical feel.

“They wanted something ultra-contemporary that no one else had,” says Stachowicz.

The name Satisfaction seemed to fit perfectly.