“Our home was designed to be in the transitional style,” Angel Wilson says of the home built by her husband, David R. Wilson, principal of Coastal Homes & Design in Lewes. “Our intent was to keep it classic while revealing a hint of modern design. We chose finishes that we feel are timeless [and] will never become outdated. We did not want our home to reflect the current trends, as those tend to quickly become dated. Rustic farmhouse is a trend, and it’s on its way out.”
This is not the first time the Wilsons (Angel helps out in the office when she’s needed) have been their own clients. Coastal Homes & Design also built their previous home. But this four-bedroom, 4,500-square-foot Lewes home—designed for the couple; their two children, both young adults; and the family dogs—represents a major step up.
The variegated façade, with its setbacks, numerous gables and rooflines, and range of textured surfaces—from stone to custom-painted board and batten—is imposing yet homey. The windows, of various sizes, were installed by Marvin, from the company’s Elevate line.
Inside, the sprawling house is awash in white and cream, complemented by touches of green, blue, and assertive metallics, displayed in the cabinetry hardware. “We have two metallic finishes: brushed gold and polished nickel. Those seem to go together well,” Angel notes. “There’s a hint of black as well.”
The main floor is open, with the living space leading to the kitchen, where the eye is drawn to the surprisingly decorative Wolf range, which features brushed-brass knobs. The cabinets, which were pieced together by a craftsman from Hershberger Cabinet Shop in Virginia, are another highlight. Angel is especially proud of the fact that the cabinetry is not mass manufactured: “It’s all Amish custom-made, every detail,” she says. “[The fabricator] doesn’t use email. It’s a process. He does a great job.” All the home’s millwork, including the doorway trim and window casements, was likewise custom designed by David before the plans were handed over to Hershberger.
The great room is airy vertically as well, with double-height ceilings, two rows of oversized windows (six windows in all) that overlook the pool area, and a charming mezzanine that leads to the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms. The couple sourced the living and dining room furniture from Mitchell’s Interiors in Laurel, as well as the furniture in the main bedroom, which is also on the first level. Coastal Homes & Design custom made the frame and mantle for the gas fireplace, which the company sourced from Napoleon’s Tall Vector line. The entire downstairs is covered in 8-inch white-oak flooring.
The Wilsons’ 28-year-old firm completes eight to 10 new builds in a typical year (as well as renovations of different sizes). “We are fully custom, so our homes can take nine to 11 months to build, because there are a lot of intricacies and moving parts,” Angel says.
Conveniently, the Wilson home is adjacent to the company’s design center. That’s the kind of advertising that money can’t buy, and the proximity has helped the couple close many a deal. “We walk prospective clients through our home,” she says. “A lot of people are more visual. Once we give them a tour, and they’re able to see our work, they can see that it’s good quality.” The Wilsons reveal the smallest of details—even where the spice racks and pots and pans are stored.
Angel freely concedes that David works deliberately: “We’re not the fastest…and we’re not a tract builder—but we walk [clients] through every step of the process,” she says.
As for their own creamy dream home, once construction commenced, the house took almost a year to complete. As Angel notes: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Related: This Lewes Treehouse Is Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright
