At the western end of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle has Bogue Sound on one side, the ocean on the other and Bogue Inlet at the end. Highway 58 carries people across to the mainland and along the island. The water may be part of what drew you to the house, yet it also helps explain why one entry gets hit with rain and why steps can feel slick after a humid night. Raised houses bring another practical question: where to set down what you are carrying before you take the stairs.
A remodel is a good chance to plan for how people come and go. A porch can give a group somewhere to sit while the kitchen is busy. A better bath layout can leave a dry path past the shower, even after someone has come in from the sand. If there is not much extra floor area, cabinets that make good use of a spare wall can do more for the room than adding more furniture. Space for wet towels matters as much as space for chairs. A better spot for those everyday things can keep a busy room from feeling crowded.
When a wall or deck connection needs to come apart, Alan looks at what is underneath before rebuilding. The crew goes to the studs where needed and fixes rot before it can be covered. In salt air and during hurricane season, paying attention to those hidden areas matters just as much as choosing finishes you will enjoy.
