July 2024

Fire Up the Grill … and Pizza Oven 🔥

Rick and Bernadette are preparing to host a summer cookout… and the guests are in for a real treat. This home is truly the perfect setting for a party.

Rick heads to the outdoor kitchen, equipped with a built-in pizza oven, Big Green Egg, and Weber grill. He revels in cooking outdoors, especially with wood and charcoal.

Their elegant home was completed in 2020 by Mack Braxton and his team at RMB Building & Design. Rick and Bernadette were active in the planning process, with Rick commuting from their home in Orlando every few weeks to check on the project.

“RMB are first class builders. Mack did a great job coordinating everything. To finish the house in 13 months during the COVID pandemic was pretty remarkable.”

Stonework is a pivotal part of the home’s allure, from the foundation and columns in Bucks County Southern Ledgestone, to the Bluestone steps and caps that set off the front porch. The installation was so exceptional that neighboring contractors took notice, trying to poach away the skilled workers.

The back entrance to the home is equally inviting. Bluestone treads contrast nicely with the tabby seashell finish on the risers.

The comfortable living room features a stack stone fireplace with a chiseled hearth and mantel. The ceiling of the covered porch, with its natural stain, adds a nautical touch.

Dimensional flooring tiles continue the entire length of the expansive terrace and draw your eye to the dining area.

“We like the different size shapes of the bluestone and find the pattern soothing. Its light color is reminiscent of the ocean and Intracoastal. It ties in well with the house and the outstanding landscape.”

The couple’s love for nature is reflected in their beautiful gardens, designed and maintained by Scott Hinson and his crew at Low Country Landscaping. He also handled the lighting and irrigation, which includes a deep well.

“Scott is an expert, knowing which plants to use and where to place them. The lighting he installed not only highlights the landscaping, but makes outdoor entertaining under the stars a wonderful experience.”

With bird feeders and birdbaths attracting a variety of birds – cardinals, bluebirds osprey, hawks, wrens, and woodpeckers – their backyard is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Bernadette and Rick cherish the fire pit, where they make s’mores and roast marshmallows with their grandchildren, creating lasting memories. Family is at the heart of their home.

Rick and Bernadette, both raised in North Carolina, are ready to appreciate the fruits of their labor, after years of working in Atlanta, Orlando, and Raleigh. Their home is a sophisticated yet casual space, where they can enjoy their retirement, surrounded by family, friends, and the natural beauty of Wilmington.

“We look forward to enjoying it for the rest of our days.”