Wilmington Magazine
July | August 2013 Issue
Lots of kids playing on the beach envision what it would be like to live in a sandcastle. Years ago a couple planning a new, oceanfront vacation home in Wrightsville Beach wanted to get a little closer to that vision. They enlisted the help of Wilmington interior designer Nancy Mullineaux of Dezign Inspirations/Home Design Resource to help them make it a reality. “This is the owner’s private sandcastle, so the designs are reflective of the sea, sand and shells,” Mullineaux said recently of the 7,900-square-foot treasure she completed four years ago. “My whole goal for the interior design was to select and create elements that combined a natural organic feeling and the movement of the waves of the ocean.”
As a big fan of the ocean, this type of design is a personal passion for her. Her clients, who’d never met Mullineaux before, had seen her work at a home in Landfall and knew their ideas would be in sync with the help of her creative vision and unique resources.
We found that Nancy’s designs were particularly striking with her expert sense and use of colors, textures and materials. She has an uncanny ability to be innovative and cutting-edge when appropriate,” said the homeowner. “From the onset, her professional yet personal demeanor allowed our relationship to develop into something much more than a client based relationship; we truly were a team in this project. It was a delight to be working with such a wonderful, talented partner in the design and furnishing of our home. This sense of teamwork was refreshing.”
“Nancy always took the time and placed a lot of emphasis on listening to our wants and needs. Thankfully her creative assistance helped me to truly visualize her artistic design concepts! This always meant a great deal to me,” said the owner.
“It was exciting to be a part of Dezign Inspirations creativeness, professionalism, enthusiasm and ability to “think outside of the box”. We could never have created such a beautiful home without their help.”
It was just a terrific experience for us. We are so appreciative for all the attention to detail, inspirational talent, long hours of work and friendship along the way. Nancy and her design team are a significant part of our beautiful home and their involvement has made our “Sandcastle” a reality.
Mullineaux said it’s all part of the job. “I try to specialize each client’s project by emphasizing the importance of having a personal relationship with them. I approach each project individually as each client is unique. I have to play the role of a psychologist to truly figure out what my clients’ wants and needs are…it’s my job to try and get inside their heads…I always strive to create inspirational designs that reflect my clients true personality and lifestyle. Each project brings a new exciting, beautifying, challenging adventure!”
In a synopsis about the home, Kersting wrote: “One of the overriding exterior design ideas is for the house to become an abstraction of a structure that may have emerged from the blowing sands on the beach.”
The sturdy construction, complete with motorized hurricane shutters and concrete tiles on the roof, was meant to be a safeguard against hurricanes and can withstand winds of 175 mph.”
The color Seafoam became an overriding theme, the homeowner added: “This soothing color steered a lot of the designing for the interior décor.”
Upon entering the front door, you’ll arrive in a 24-foot-high gallery that showcases a curved, travertine staircase matching the flooring used throughout the home.
At the top is the focal point, a customized hand-blown multicolor-glass chandelier. The walls are essentially floor-to-ceiling windows flanked by customized coral/ shell stone columns. Other features include a custom metal sculpture of a turtle and fish, a 10-foot preserved areca palm, vases and a custom original stag horn coral sculpture on a pedestal.
Mullineaux said it’s all part of the job. “I try to specialize each client’s project by emphasizing the importance of having a personal relationship with them. I approach each project individually as each client is unique. I have to play the role of a psychologist to truly figure out what my clients’ wants and needs are…it’s my job to try and get inside their heads…I always strive to create inspirational designs that reflect my clients true personality and lifestyle. Each project brings a new exciting, beautifying, challenging adventure!”
In a synopsis about the home, Kersting wrote: “One of the overriding exterior design ideas is for the house to become an abstraction of a structure that may have emerged from the blowing sands on the beach.”
The sturdy construction, complete with motorized hurricane shutters and concrete tiles on the roof, was meant to be a safeguard against hurricanes and can withstand winds of 175 mph.”
The overall result is a home that is a welcoming and a comfortable space for the homeowners as well as their three children and their families, which include nine grandchildren. The owners emphasize how they “couldn’t be more pleased with how everything turned out and the design truly exceeded expectations! Time together with our family is so important to us and we truly feel we have such a warm inviting home we can enjoy with our friends and family for many years to come!”
“I feel like I can say that it’s probably the most unique home in Wrightsville Beach,” Mullineaux said. “The customization makes it very distinctive.”
Upstairs you’ll find five of the home’s six bedrooms. All have separate personalities and themes, from antique furniture to a Tahitian -Tommy Bahama décor to Nantucket-style. The Master bedroom and bathroom continues with the soothing seafoam tones. The views extend out over their infinity pool toward the serenity of the ocean, sea grass and dunes. “You feel like you’re on vacation at a bed and breakfast,” Mullineaux said. “I like to make each bedroom really unique and different in all my homes.”
The sunset/game room is rightfully named with its spectacular endless views of the marshland and waterways. This room houses a professional pool table and game table along with a jewel toned sectional for their TV viewing.
In addition to Dezign Inspirations her Interior Design business, Mullineaux also has her Home Design Resource showroom at 7204 Wrightsville Ave., just before the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge. This 2,000-square-foot space, which is open to the public, not just her clients and offers a chance to buy direct at contractor pricing, she said.
Mullineaux describes the showroom as “one-stop shopping where everything is under one roof.” It encompasses flooring, countertops, lighting, window coverings, window treatments, furniture, accessories, bedding, area rugs, silk plants and much more. She prides herself on being able to help customers save time and money with access to so many resources at exceptional prices.
“I offer distinctive selections on everything you need to design a house from top to bottom…regardless what your home’s budget or style is. My unique resource library is designed at price points that suit everybody’s budget,” Mullineaux said. And for those who want to take advantage of her 30 years of design expertise, she pledges perfection.
“My goal with every project is to create a sanctuary,” Mullineaux said. “I want their home to be an amazing retreat. People are spending more time in the comfort of their own home and have shied away from the formality of living. My goal with my designs is to create spaces that are a reflection of beauty, comfort and an environment the clients will love living in!”
