COASTAL LIVING PART 3 - THE DOUGHER HOME

As promised here is Bailee to lead  us on our tour today!  Welcome to the third level of the Dougher house.  If you missed Day 1 or Day 2 make sure to click over and catchup!  
I have always been a fan of beach properties designed with the living areas on the top floor.  Why?  The top floor provides the best views and perfect natural light.  The Dougher's third floor features an open floor plan with the living areas open to one another which makes an impressive impact on guest as they enter the space.  The living room, dining room and kitchen area makeup one-half of the house, while a powder room, master bathroom and bedroom are on the opposite side of the house.  The kitchen features a large L-shaped island which multi-functions of storage, a bar for casual eating and buffet when entertaining.  The dining area has a panoramic view of the sound and is decoratively hand-painted  to give the feeling you are under a pale blue umbrella anchored by palm trees.

Enjoy the tour!

Custom fish stair rails. 

Gallery wall featuring sentimental mementoes of the family
 as well as original art of a beloved pet.

Handcrafted mermaid paddles line the elevator door.

The kitchen window also has an excellent view provided by the large bay of windows over the sink area.  If you get the task of dishwasher at the Dougher's house, at least you have a fabulous view of the sound.  The large column on the corner of the island is home to Edna's cross collection. 



There are a variety of crosses on each side of the column.

Edna is talented at creating great table scapes with pretty bottles, mixed colors and interesting elements.  David Hicks would be proud!

The bar area is tucked away at the end of the kitchen and continues the painted white cabinets.  The upper cabinet has a glass front doors which act as storage for Edna's decorative glass collection.



The back wall of the cabinet is painted aqua to add an 
interesting design element in the otherwise neutral cabinets.





As you can see, the entire back of the house is wrapped in glass windows and doors to provide maximum views where ever you sit in all areas of the upper floor.

The table top is was handmade by a local cabinet maker from reclaimed 
pine recovered from the Cape Fear River.

Here is a closeup of the amazing dining room painting by Trapper Cramer of Surf City, NC

One of Edna's hobbies is creating beautiful mirrors and boxes from shells.
She designed and made the shell mirror over this console.  I wish
this picture showed the detail better.  It is exquisite.

Favorite magazines are tucked away in pretty baskets so they
are available for reading when needed but rather than clutter act as
a decoration.



Here is a corner close up of the mirror, can you see the level of detail
in the design?  Also, who could say no to this vintage lamp with
pin up girl having a coke?

Edna said recently a friend visited and said, "wow you love mermaids" to which she shockingly replied, "I didn't realize I did, but I guess I do."   Here is one of Edna's 
table scapes with a sassy mermaid and few shells perfectly placed on a book of shells.

The living room is centered around a shell encrusted fireplace with built-ins on either side.
The furniture is comfortably arranged for conversation.  The room beckons family and friends to gather for a visit.



Fishing trophies float along the wall in the vaulted ceiling as though
 they are swimming in water act as evidence of the family's love of fishing.

A tall metal palm tree adds a tropical feeling in the corner behind
one of the club chairs.  

The bookcases reveal more of Edna's creative placement of her collections.

The focal point of the room is the fireplace with original palm tree
art, and shell encrusted surround.

A collection of Herend sea creatives is swimming on the mantle. 



A bark fish swims in the fireplace. 

Here is a cheerful corner in the master bedroom.  Unfortunately, my photographs
of the master bedroom, bath and powder room turned out too dark to share,
but here are a couple of bright spots of the room. 



Edna's cute pine desk is the perfect spot for writing notes and keeping
social invitations organized.  A collection of straw hats and bags
 decorate the iron coat tree.

The porch off the living areas on the back of the house are decorated with
colorful adirondack chairs.

Porch gates with custom design adds a subtle decorative feature on the stairs.

A grouping of books and decorative objects on the coffee table sums up the

 Dougher home, it is "shell chic."  The home is a beautiful home functionally

 designed with excellent views of the water.

Who doesn't want to have a view of this beautiful sunset every afternoon?

I hope you enjoyed our visit to the Dougher home.   A big thank you to Edna 

Dougher for allowing me to share your beautiful home with my readers!

So what did you think?  Are you ready to move in? 

I certainly visit every chance I get!