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By Cathy Baldwin
J.B. Edwards knew a good thing when he saw it. Back in 1996, he plunked down $105-thousand for a 17-year old home on Skyline Drive, the oldest platted road in Southern Shores. The view from the home was incredible—to the east he had ocean views, to the north he could see the Duck Research Pier, and to the south he could see almost as far as the Wright Brothers Memorial. He could see so far from his bachelor pad that he was able to give friends traffic reports for miles in either direction.
But while the view was something to be admired, the home itself was nothing special. A typical Outer Banks beach box, the house had the usual three bedrooms, one and a half baths, with no ductwork, no air conditioning, baseboard heat and wood paneling throughout. “It had minimal everything,” remarks Edwards.
After ten years of living minimally, he decided it was time for a change.
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More than two decades earlier, Edwards owned the building that is now known as the Black Pelican Restaurant. In its earlier life, the building served as U.S. Lifesaving Station 6, meaning it was the sixth one south from the Virginia state line. During Edwards’ watch, he opened an inn he called Station 6 offering vacationers efficiency rooms by the week. Edwards lived there for three years, heating the place in the winter with a wood stove.
“It was so quiet here in the winter back then that the dogs used to sleep in the road. It was rare for them to have to move for a car,” he laughs. But that time in Station 6 made a lasting impression on Edwards.
“I always had a soft spot for gingerbread style houses after that. I thought, ‘I’m going to build a house like that someday.’”
Edwards consulted with good friend and architect Clair Sutton on plans. She came up with a design for him that would incorporate his dream of a modernized Station 6.
Edwards was no stranger to remodeling; he owns and operates his own construction company, J.B. Edwards Custom Homes. He knew the kind of extensive remodeling job he was preparing to undertake, but knew that he—if anyone—had the resources to pull it off.
Sutton and Edwards faced one major problem. The lot itself was small, a mere 72 feet wide. With five foot building setbacks on all sides, it left Edwards and Sutton with only one solution. They’d have to build up.
The first step was to make the floor platform for the third story, which would stand even higher than the home’s original roof had been. After that, the construction crew began to build around the existing structure, keeping the original 6 by 6 pilings and adding new and stronger ones for more support. Edwards’ crew worked on the home off and on for 11-months, all the while building custom homes for paying customers and squeezing in the remodeling on his own home in the slower times.
Building a brand new house over an old one isn’t exactly cheap. There is the added cost of demolition and hauling the old material away.
“It’s actually more expensive because you have to retrofit everything,” says Edwards. “It was probably about $20 a square foot more than building it new.” But being limited by his property’s size, Edwards had no choice but to do a complete remodel.
And what a remodel it was! The house was completely unlivable for eleven months while Edwards and his crew created their masterpiece. “I was lucky, I had a home just a few doors down that I could stay in during that time.”
The finished product is more than a house, it’s a realized dream. Edwards’ love of all things nautical is evident from the moment one pulls in the driveway. Cedar shakes, custom stone work, and gingerbread white trim are all elements influenced by the old Station.
Once inside, the focal point of the foyer is a gorgeous wood-inlaid compass rose, artfully crafted into the hardwood floor. Edwards made sure to place the rosewood compass so that the compass points were facing the correct directions.
Another stunning design feature in much of the house, but first noticed in the entryway, is the white beadboard ceiling, artfully pieced to fit––the foyer is located in the original structure.
“I didn’t want to use any sheetrock in this house, not for the walls or the ceilings,” explains Edwards. The result is coastal cottage-chic. Touring the home, the nautical blue color of the den is a brilliant choice.
“That was Clair’s idea,” says Edwards. It is the perfect shade of blue to give a dollop of color without being too dark or overwhelming.
In one of the downstairs bedrooms, Sutton chose to cover the walls in wood planks. Rather than paint a solid color over the wood, she pickled the walls. The result is an weathered, aged look, with the woods knots and natural grain showing through the light, sage green stain.
The heart of the house is now on the third floor. The open floor plan includes a spacious den, kitchen and dining area. The entire east, ocean-facing wall features floor to ceiling windows, where Edwards can enjoy an even greater view than before the renovation. The upstairs is heated by a wood burning fireplace, a nod to his Station 6 days. The ceiling is finished with another unique touch—tin ceiling tiles draw the eye upward, yet the rust colored shade warms the ambiance of the large, high space.
The kitchen is a step up from the sunken living room. The countertops are black-specked granite, and the island countertop is a type of South American wood. Behind his stainless steel Wolff stove is a black tin backsplash. The total effect is stunning—a kitchen that is both useful and full of style and character at the same time. Off to the north, to the right of the kitchen is Edwards’ master bedroom. One of his favorite features of the house is on the porch. Just steps outside of the master bedroom door is a private, outdoor shower.
All said and done, Edwards finds himself more than a little pleased at his renovation. Even he was surprised to find his home’s value had nearly quadrupled.
“It went from $280-thousand to close to nearly $900-thousand in one year!” laughs Edwards.
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