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Sugarwood Interiors makes home your favorite destination

By CAROLINE RUTLEDGE   »  Photos by KELLY STARBUCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Relaxed. Refined. Organic. Coastal. Welcome to Sugarwood Interiors! Located in Porters Neck, Sugarwood Interiors offers distinct home furnishings including high-end, one-of-a-kind furniture, rugs, lighting, art and accessories to compliment a modern coastal décor. Owned by Janece Stone, Sugarwood offers professional interior design and decorating services, and her team strives to help you “make home your favorite destination.”

“The inspiration for Sugarwood just seemed to grow out of a love for all things home interiors,” explains Stone. “I have always enjoyed anything creative and learned so much about interior design over the years while working in the construction industry with my husband. Opening Sugarwood Interiors was a way to combine my educational background in art with my passion for creating beautiful home spaces.”

Sugarwood’s doors opened on January 2, 2018, in the Sugarwood Center in Porters Neck, with the construction of the entire shopping center designed around Sugarwood as the anchor tenant. Sugarwood Center currently houses several new businesses which offer an intentional balance of goods and services complimentary to Sugarwood Interiors, including: Amplify Fitness Studio, Mother of Wild Flower House, Sage Nova Salon and Physical Therapy Services Of Wilmington. According to Stone, “Building the site and structures became a family affair with our construction company, Stone Development & Restoration, as the development company. My husband James Stone together with his brother Byron and our son Ryan did a beautiful job putting it all together.” Sugarwood Center is truly a labor of love based on family talent and dedication.

As growth in Porters Neck has expanded in recent years, Stone explains this location was ideal for the center. Jim and Janece have been residents of Porters Neck for more than 20 years. “The timing seemed right to fill a need in the community. Putting the concept together was the easy part,” says Stone. “I simply based the look and feel on what speaks to my style. Sugarwood reflects a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The offerings are beautiful with a casual feel and most importantly approachable.”

The store’s exterior boasts a refined yet relaxed farmhouse feel with inviting barn doors, high ceilings, and soft neutral colors. The interior is warm and inviting with a spacious showroom comprising of rustic-meets-coastal vignettes and staging. From furniture and rugs to mirrors and lighting, Sugarwood has a product line to help customers envision, customize, and create their own beautiful spaces at home.

From the location and timing to the name and design team, intentionality is a theme that guided both the conception and execution of Sugarwood Interiors. “While researching plants and trees native to North Carolina, Sugarwood was born,” explains Stone. “It is simple, organic and fits the exterior barn aesthetic perfectly.” The store’s logo also reflects this arboreal motif.

After opening Sugarwood’s doors, Stone’s next step was to assemble a talented design team. “I could not have anticipated this dream team of inspired, dedicated professionals that show up every day. Creative stylist Evan Gray heads the group with long time area designer Jessica Beckerich,” explains Stone. “Each designer has their own style and skill set. New to the industry, Megan Strimbu and Erin England round out the staff bringing a fresh approach and contagious enthusiasm.”

Sugarwood offers services ranging from basic in-home design consultation to complete, new home total design, including: paint selections, flooring, and all finishes. The Sugarwood team hopes to continue to evolve and inspire beautiful design. Currently, they provide 1:1 in-home or in-store design consultation, color scheme and vision board development, design concept and layout visualizations, and furnishings & home décor procurement and delivery. Sugarwood also offers on-line shopping so customers can shop the store’s product lines from the comfort of their own homes. For a more hands-on experience, visit Janece and her team at the store: Monday-Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

“Having lived in the area for the past 24 years, I see many familiar faces walk through the door,” says Stone. “I am so grateful for the overwhelming support Sugarwood has received and feel blessed to be a part of this community.”

Sugarwood Interiors, 167 Porters Neck Rd., 910.319.7779, sugarwoodnc.com