About 20 years ago, a client bought 19 acres on a peninsula in St. Helena Island, SC with almost 360 degree views of water and low country marsh. It truly takes your breath away. They built a lovely quaint farmhouse on this heavenly spot and asked me to bring it up to date. Gladly. Plus, I got to go to St.Helena for two installations! Words cannot express what it is like to rock on this porch. This area is steeped in history and is still Gullah speaking in parts. It is surrounded by coastal wilderness, completely untouched. This vacation home means so much to this family so I didn't want create a totally new space with bright colors and edgy pieces. I wanted to keep it quiet, peaceful and one with nature. I pulled textures and colors from the landscape. Focused on the greens found in the palms and palmettos and used that as my "pop" of color.
I wanted the outdoors and the indoors to be seamless. They asked that I keep their two aged leather chairs and their farm table, so I got to work....I chose Sunbrella fabrics for all of the spaces because there is glass and light everywhere. I wanted the sofa and bedding to hold up to bright summer light and kids fresh from a fishing trip.
I chose an outdoor Summer Classics table meant to withstand feet, sand and just about anything.
The double sided fireplace is opens into the dining room. I kept a couple of their antique chairs and mixed them with these Bungalow 5 beauties for a more modern look. The printed jute adds an unexpected pop of color. The kitchen was updated with Quartz countertops and new appliances.
With limited wall space, I filled every nook with keepsakes and collections. The family has extraordinary art work, sweetgrass baskets and signed first editions of low country favorites like Pat Conroy. It was important to bring the history of Beaufort, St. Helena and surrounding areas into this home.
Upstairs, the master opens into a room that doubles as a bunk room for the kids or a sitting room for the master. It can be closed off to create two spaces, but I wanted them to flow.I designed a bunk/trundle bed that would also function as a day bed. The trundle rolls out on hidden tracks, but gives the illusion that it is hanging by a rope on a platform. John used reclaimed heart pine and I chose to stain them in a gray wash to contrast the floors. We designed a large window seat along the back of the room for storage and two old fashioned (Sunbrella) custom twin length mattresses. They function as the perfect nook to curl up with a book or game, but also sleep two more guests. John White, of Soundside Carpentry, built these beauties and made the six hour trip to install them. The client couldn't be happier with the outcome.
In need of a reading spot, I chose a gray swivel chair and split up a pair from The Studio. With limited space, I needed a small complementary side table. Necessity is the mother of invention, they say...I found this great indigo metal table at HomeGoods. I wasn't happy with the top so I found the perfect jute/rope tray and replaced the white table top with the tray to add texture and pull in the rope on the bed and ottoman.
Layered with Sunbrella pillows, punchy Cotton and Quill fabrics and cotton quilts, this space gives a nod to the past.
I wanted to keep the master simple and textured. I layered the bed with crisp linens, pops of salmon and my favorite leafy shade of green.
Mixing in bleached oak, concrete lamps and layers of white, this bedroom feels like the ultimate retreat.
I love how the entire space brings the outside in. For more on my latest work, visit: www.hooperpattersonineriordesign.com
*photos via John Carrington, Savannah, GA