HOOPER PATTERSON INTERIOR DESIGN
chic shellter @ bhi
Then....
I was five years old when my parents built our first home on Bald Head Island. That was 44 years ago. As a Wilmington native, we didn't have to travel far to reach our vacation paradise, but we felt a million miles away. Our adventures, much like those today, included scavenger hunts, turtle walks, shelling, golf cart drives at dusk to spot wildlife and it felt a little like the Robinson Crusoe novel.
My mom would send us out after breakfast on bikes or on foot and we would go shelling, build forts in the woods, fish, swim and return before dinner to be checked for ticks. We had so much freedom and had to get creative on an island that felt like it belonged only to us.
We had electricity, but did not have phones (we used CB radios). There was no grocery store and so we would bring coolers and bins (much like today) and eat whatever my dad and brothers caught that day. In a pinch, my mom would send her grocery list over on the ferry and Mary Lou (a BHI legend) would shop for groceries and send them back over.
Often, we would stay for months on end and my dad would commute back and forth to his job in Wilmington. Over the years, friends and family built homes of their own and our beautiful community grew.
We didn't have a large Nature Conservancy back then, and if I recall, there was one lady (who we affectionately called "The Turtle Lady") who ran the program. When nests would begin to sink, she would knock on our door and rally the troops. We would head out in the middle of the night in our pjs with our red flashlights to help guide the babies to the sea.
In my teenage years, my grandparents built a house on Silversides. My grandmother and I would spend our days walking from South to East Beach and back collecting all of the shells we could find. Sand dollars littered the beaches, so much so that you had to watch your step. It was (and still is) heaven on Earth.
As we grew older and went away to college, moved away for work and eventually married and had children of our own, we always gravitate back. I can't explain it, but I doubt I have to, because once you have experienced this Island, you never want to leave. My little brother once said that the saddest part of his childhood was having to take the ferry BACK to the mainland.
When our children were small, we owned a Villa and rented it out to many happy guests. After much damage from Hurricane Florence and three (now adult size) children that were quickly outgrowing our little spot, we sold it, hoping to one day own again.
For the last 20 years, I have grown my Interior Design business to include projects that span the country. My very favorite place to work is Bald Head Island.
I am grateful to be the exclusive designer for Whitney Blair Custom Homes, a Southern Living builder that I have always admired. We were considering building a home (of course with Whitney Blair) and with our children quickly moving through high school, we decided to buy an existing home so we can enjoy family time before they leave for college. Growing up visiting the Island, it holds a special place in our children's hearts as well. Life is too short to wait to collect memories.
My hope is that we can offer a slice of our paradise to you. Thank you for considering our home for your family, friends and vacation. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, suggestions or a request to book "Chic Shellter". We are honored to host you!
