On Wednesday night, New Years Eve, the Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Countdown Party & Fireworks will take place in Kure Beach.  The countdown features the lowering of a lighted beach ball.  A street dance featuring live music precedes a spectacular fireworks display to welcome in the New Year.  DJ Tommy King will be playing the Best of the Oldies, Beach Music and the Top 40.  To learn more about this New Years Eve event or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

I will be spotlighting various New Years eve celebrations for the next few days so if you are looking for something fun to do make sure you check back!  Bottega, in Historic Downtown Wilmington, will be having a party with music and celebratory surprises with old-time-new time acoustics, from local duo Josh Moore and Lucian Rowland along with Waylon and the Nashing of Teeth.  $10 ticket includes light appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight.  To learn more about this New Years Eve in Wilmington or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

If you were out shopping yesterday, the “day after” Christmas, you may have expected long lines or rude people and you were probably very surprised how smooth it went at most stores in the Wilmington area.  Area stores offered great bargains, had their staff ready to assist and it made for a very pleasant shopping experience.  The return lines moved briskly and the wait times were eliminated.  I was actually able to get my husband to shop with me, maybe it was the bribe of lunch at La Costa?  To learn more about shopping in Wilmington or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

For anyone in the country that is experiencing cold and snowy weather consider moving to the Wilmington area.  Besides being a great investment in real estate, Wilmington offers fantastic weather!  Today it was sunny and around 70 degrees.  Tomorrow it is forecasted to be 74 degrees and sunny!  There were plenty of people outside today, walking, biking and at the beach.  To learn more about Wilmington weather or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

 This incredible showcase home is set on one of the most premier locations on the east coast, oceanfront on Figure Eight Island, a beautiful and exclusive private retreat.  The panoramic view of the ocean from the beachfront deck is unparalleled, and the front decks have unobstructed views of the endless marsh leading to the Intracoastal Waterway.   

When the owners of 310 Beach Road North decided to build a beach house on Figure Eight Island, they wanted it to feel like a beach house - a classic beach house.  You won’t find plush carpeting or ornate fixtures.  The floors and walls are gorgeous hardwood, the feel is casual, and the focus is on enjoying the outdoors and maximizing the views. 

The initial plans for the house did not include wrap around decks, but the homeowners changed the plans to provide more emphasis to the outdoors.  You will likely note that all three upstairs bedrooms have access to decks and also have their own private bath. 

One of the most striking things about the kitchen is the 50’s style vintage refrigerator.  It looks old but is new, and adds to the nostalgic feel of the home.  The kitchen was decorated using the refrigerator as the basis.

The wooden floors have also generated a lot of discussion.  The wood is from Cape Fear Riverwood, reclaimed heart of pine dredged out of the Cape Fear River. 

There are two master bedrooms, upstairs and downstairs.  Each bathroom is unique, and the upstairs master bath was modeled after a hotel in Paris.

There has recently been a room added to the bottom floor, in the middle of the carport.  The bottom floor is heated, has recently been tiled and a bathroom has been added, but due to flood rules it is not included as living space square footage.  It could serve as a playroom or storage. 

To learn more about this oceanfront, Figure Eight Island home or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

This is a wonderful new store in Lumina Station that my friend and client, Karen Hampton opened recently.  The store, Open House, is where you are always welcome.  Open House carries these fine companies:  Arte Italica, Tritter Feefer, Gallery Design, Bougainvillea, Lacefield Designs, A-! Papers, Pear-Sun, Timeworks, Roma Frames, Lux Candles, Nouvelle Candles, Botanicus Diffusers, K & K Designs, Pillow Quotes, Terra Traditions, Bauer International, Jewelry, Food Items which you are welcome to sample, and so much more!  Open House also offers complimentary gift wrapping which makes gift giving even easier!  Lumina Station is located at 1900 Eastwood Road on the way to Wrightsville Beach.  The website is www.theopenhouseboutique.com.  This is my new favorite store!  To learn more about Open House or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

This week, until Wednesday night, there will be Christmas Caroling with Santa and his special “reindeer”.  The tours depart from Market and Water Streets in Historic Downtown Wilmington from 7-10pm.  To learn more about Christmas Caroling in Wilmington or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.