The Cape Fear River borders it to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Don’t count on rows of condominiums or reliable Wi-Fi.
Bald Head is a real retreat.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Step inside our home to see how the duo balanced livable and lively ideas.
The Living Room
“The chocolate-colored floors directed the home’s warmer palette,” says Harper.
To keep the browns from falling flat, Harper splashed out with a fern-print sofa fabric.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“It’s not for the timid, but it carries the room,” she says.
A traditional English roll arm frame byCR Lainechecks the sofa’s wildness.
A sweep of vintage rattan and brass accessories completes the room’s look.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Glass lanterns fromCirca Lightingare a simple alternative to chandeliers.
Harper also added interest to the mantel with a few vases and brass boxes.
“Play around with accessories on your mantel, but less is usually more,” the designer advises.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“Fit all the chairs at least partially on the rug,” she says.
The furniture arrangement is also centered under one of the living and dining areas' matching lanterns.
With a furniture plan devised, the first components Harper found were the chairs fromPalecek.
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
“They don’t scream “dining chairs.”
Because of their relaxed style, they can be pulled elsewhere in the house,” she says.
To get the updated look of dark windows, paint only the sashesUrbane Bronze from Sherwin-Williams.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
These floors are 101-year-old joists salvaged from the Wilson Tobacco Company in Wilson, North Carolina.
The Absolute Black granite-topped vanity makes the dark walls and hammered-brass sink byNantucket Sinksstand out even more.
Harper also added customizable acrylic-and-brass sink legs.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“I do this all the time.
It makes any sink look really beautiful,” she says.
“It looks richer to mix finishes,” she says.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
A modernized, Southern-made kitchen vent with polished-brass detailing fromVent-A-Hoodhangs over the range.
Harper flanked it with art fromBlackwell Botanicals.
The Pantry
Harper splurged on a tortoiseshell-style tile byPratt & Larsonin the butler’s pantry.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
She paird it with cabinetry painted inVogue Green by Sherwin-Williams.
The Primary Bedroom
“Aqua bedrooms are so soft and livable.
They work equally well for both men and women.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“The big window needed curtains.
These are actually the only ones in the house.”
Bedrooms require privacy, but the rest of the downstairs sits curtain-free to maximize the views.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“The smaller windows needed softening with Roman shades,” she explains.
Harper chose theBamboo Bed by Bunny Williams Home.
The rich wood is perfect for a primary bedroom, while the bamboo details add to the coastal environment.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“There’s no rule that nightstands must match,” Harper adds.
Also, cement tile requires zero grouting because it’s held in place with mastic instead.
The patterned tiles continue in the large walk-in shower with white subway tile walls.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Plenty of natural light gives the room a light and airy feel.
“I [created] my own stencils by cutting patterns into heavy paper.
The Sleeping Porch
“I like unexpected combinations that most people might be scared to try.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
But trust meI test them out for a living!”
The Yellow Bedroom
“This room is very adult and beach chic.
“I had the wainscot built 54 inches tall so the wallpaper wouldn’t overwhelm the space.”
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
An airy but substantial bed fromMecoxfills the room.
“Clearance is key with canopies,” Harper advises.
“Leave at least a foot between the top of the bed and the ceiling.”
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
A white duvet fromMatoukand sheet fromSerena & Lilygive the room a welcome break from color and pattern.
A vintage fan chair rests in the corner.
The Yellow Bath
Harper worked all new fabrics into this bath.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“Using coordinatingnot matchingprints in adjoining rooms looks more interesting,” she notes.
A vintage double-X bench gets renewed with a tropical geometric-print fabric, and grosgrain ribbon trims the gray-striped wallpaper.
Yes, it’s possible to pair ribbon with wallpaper.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
The 26-inch rattan Hermosa Pendant fromSerena & Lilyis “like a beachy disco ball!”
It works in here because the ceiling is 9 1/2 feet tall.
Kismet led her to the bedroom’s orange chandeliersort of.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“They’re actually apples that I painted to look like oranges,” she says.
It hangs high enough so no one can tell.
The scalloped green mirror byOomphcomplements the wallpaper’s clementine print.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
She also painted the flooring in the bathroomEvergreens by Sherwin Williamsto bring in more of the green hues.
“Coastal houses need flexible accommodations,” architect Eric Moser says.
Harper lured visitors to this suite by scheming it around a monkey wallpaper motif byLee Jofa.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“I didn’t choose it just for the monkeys.
I like the colors and the way it’s drawn too,” she notes.
A vintage banana chandelier hangs in the center.
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
“It’s like the monkeys are climbing to get the bananas!”
Deep blue cabinets and trim inTurkish Tile by Sherwin-Williamscounteract the wallpaper’s playfulness.
For a similar palette, tryGray ScreenandPure Whitefrom Sherwin-Williams.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
A low-maintenance aluminum roof tops off the exterior.
Moser choseCambridge Cobble pavers in Savannahfrom Belgard Hardscapes to welcome visitors up to the house.
The Back Exterior
This house has over 1,300 square feet of outdoor living space.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
It is provided by the ample porches surrounding the home.
Moser says he always treats porches like outdoor rooms.
To furnish them and circulate air, make them at least 8 by 8 feet.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Use 10-foot porportions on screened porches.
Moser used the same pavers from the front of the house in the back patio.
He also added afire pit from Belgard Hardscapesfor cool nights.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
