Bald Head Island beach house: Interior designer Lisa Sherry calls it the one that got away.
"I COVETED THIS BALD HEAD ISLAND BEACH HOUSE BUT MISSED THE CHANCE TO OWN IT MYSELF. A FEW SUMMERS LATER, I GOT TO DESIGN IT FOR THE LUCKY NEW OWNERS, MY CLIENTS." Lisa Sherry
THE BACKSTORY
Bald Head Island is a small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina, not far from Wilmington, NC. Accessible by ferry only, carefree and car-free, it's a special place. I know. For many years, I was a happy Bald Head Island dweller.
The world of interior design and real estate are happy bedfellows. So, while I loved my Bald Head Island beach house (tour it here and see what you think), I kept a watchful eye on a handful of other iconic homes on the island. Case in point, an interesting but somewhat worse-for-wear circa 1970s beach house with sweeping marsh views. I flirted with the idea of rescuing the lovely boned abode, but ultimately, I paused. Another family did not. The beach house found its rightful new owners, year-round Bald Head Island residents.
Imagine how excited I was when the new beach house owners asked me to jump in on the renovation and interior design of their new home – the one that got away. I call that design karma. I immediately said yes. Working from my interior design studio in Charlotte, North Carolina and with regular trips to Bald Head Island, the beach house renovation came together, and beautifully so. Take the home tour now.
The interior design of this beach house included significant gut renovations that began at the front door. In its original state, the glorious kitchen and seating area you see below was a fully enclosed terrarium, which served as an entry. We tamed nature and created this welcoming space. Today, it's the entertaining heart of the home.
LISA SHERRY INTERIOR DESIGN APPROACH
The new homeowners came to Charlotte, NC's Lisa Sherry Interieurs for a fresh new take on what an all-season beach house might be. They wanted an interior design style that defied traditional beach-house conventions.
OPEN FLOOR PLAN: The Bald Head Island beach house faces a seemingly endless expanse of marsh. The open floor plan continues the naturally spacious vibe inside the beach house.
NEUTRAL CLEANSING PALETTE: The beach house is bathed in white – Benjamin Moore's China White, to be exact.
CURATED FURNITURE & ACCENT SELECTIONS: Each piece of furniture and very accessory in the Bald Head Island beach house was carefully hand selected with an eye toward comfort and style.
AT ONE WITH NATURE: Materials are wonderfully varied throughout the beach house, including natural brass fittings, stones, tiles, gesso, concrete finishes, rattan weaves, and lush touchable textiles.
ENTERTAINING READY: The beach house's private rooms provide time-out getaways, spaces to recharge and reenergized. Yet, this home almost aches for company and community. The homeowners are among Bald Head Island's most welcoming hosts. In fact, this beach house boast not one but TWO complete kitchens.
Company is always welcome at this Bald Head Island beach house. Interior designer Lisa Sherry saw to it – at her clients' request. Yet, private spaces were equally important in this beach house renovation. The primary bedroom suite is a masterpiece. The primary bathroom required a gut renovation, a Lisa Sherry Interieurs speciality.
