Design Master Class: Carol Adcock creates an eclectic beach hideaway
The challenge
To be closer to the beach, this family of four traded a Caribbean-style getaway on the North Carolina coast for a transitional cedar shake-sided New England-style beach house in Morehead City. Though the distance between the two was just 30 miles, style-wise the distance crossed many latitudinal lines. Our challenge was to maintain as much of the whimsical feel of a Caribbean cottage in the new, more formal home.
Super space
Our goal was to infuse splashes of color reminiscent of the Caribbean style into the more sedate, neutral backdrop of a New England-style dwelling. With great structure, windows and view, the second-floor great room needed only a few modifications.
Covering the heavy feel of the existing red-charcoal brick fireplace was a must. Drawing inspiration from nature, we wrapped its surround in Lunada glass mosaic tile. Scatterings of pearl accent tiles added interest and an intentional feeling of movement, leading your eye to the sweeping view. A driftwood-like coloring on the CTH console table in the entry picked up the natural theme.
The homeowners wanted a worry-free space to enjoy with two teens and two dogs. For easy care and color retention, we used outdoor materials whenever possible.
Ample space allowed us to create a seating area around an existing pair of red leather La-Z-Boy recliners and two inherited sofas that provide room for each family member to stretch out for movie marathons or guest seating for eight. Drawing colors from the “Boom Shaka Laka Laka” print placed on the mantel, red, blue, yellow and black subtly blend in the braiding of the 11-by-14-foot outdoor Capel rug that anchored this grouping. Although the sofas are different in style, reupholstering both in the same Duralee Pavilion indoor/outdoor fabric in Marine blue provided consistency and a backdrop for multicolored throw pillows. Trade Winds’ Sanibel coffee tables in a Fern-green finish added unexpected color.
To lighten up the dining area, we replaced dark, shaded pendants with Kenroy Home glass fixtures equipped with Edison bulbs. We repeated our color theme in a bold scale with durable, easy-to-clean FLOR carpet tiles. The carpet created a balanced counterpoint to the wood-tone table and six chairs.
In the kitchen, we took out a section of cabinets in the island to create counter seating for two. Safavieh’s Eleanor barstools pulled the natural wood tones of our tables through to this part of the space.
Whether the owners are spending time at the beach or fishing, their stylish, worry-free weekend retreat makes it easy to leave cares behind.
Terrific tip
When working with color, repeat it throughout the space. Using a varying scale, or size, allows for blending in a pleasing way. For example, this project uses green as an accent. Starting from the fireplace, there are touches of green in the artwork and the planter, leading through the seating area by way of coffee tables, moving through the dining area in the rug, and ending up in the accessories and artwork on the wall.
Defining Design LLC
6141 Sunset Lake Road, Fuquay-Varina
919-270-4137 or DefiningDesignNC.com
About the designer
Carol Adcock is the principal designer and owner of Defining Design LLC in Fuquay-Varina, which specializes in interior and landscape design. She has an interior design degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown and began her career in high-end furniture sales. She later headed the sales department at Adcock’s Nursery, which her husband owns. Her business provides interior and landscape design services.
Design Master Class
N&O Design Team members who share their expertise in Home & Garden are members of the Alliance of Interior Designers, a group of Triangle-area professionals. Learn more at allianceofinteriordesigners.org.
This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Design Master Class: Carol Adcock creates an eclectic beach hideaway."