Before & After: How an interior stylist transformed a rundown bungalow into her dream seaside home

The article highlights how interior designer Penny Morrison transformed a dilapidated 18th-century country house in Wales into a vibrant and comfortable home. The house, built in 1790, is located near the English border and is characterized by its bucolic surroundings, including rolling lawns, a stream, a walled garden, and a forest. The Morrisons, Penny and her art dealer husband Guy, discovered the property 26 years prior during a weekend visit. Despite its unlivable condition, plagued by dry rot and requiring extensive renovations such as a new roof, windows, plumbing, and wiring, they were captivated by the house's historic charm and spectacular views. Morrison's design philosophy prioritizes comfort, evident in her desire for a home where one can relax. She emphasizes that a house's design influences how its inhabitants feel. Her South African upbringing, which fostered a love for open spaces and an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, influenced her vision for the Welsh home. She envisioned a dwelling where ground-floor rooms opened onto the garden, allowing for an entirely open feel in the summer, reminiscent of a Scottish lodge. Morrison’s journey into interior design was unconventional, lacking formal training. She began by working in property development and then decorating show apartments as a sideline. Her reputation as a decorator grew organically after she meticulously renovated her own home, leading others to seek her expertise. During the renovation of their Welsh home, the Morrisons maintained the essential structure of the house, aside from converting several bedrooms into new bathrooms and raising the central staircase ceiling by five feet. They admired the generously proportioned rooms and the expansive views. Morrison is a proponent of using large furniture pieces and grouping collections to amplify space and maintain visual focus without clutter. Her home showcases this approach, with a diverse array of artifacts and her husband’s art collection, many items sourced from country-house sales. As an avid collector of china, she gradually adorned the rooms and hallways with an eclectic mix. The central staircase walls are notably decorated with stuffed animals in glass boxes, and deer heads and antlers, some from hunts on their estate. The designer developed her own fabric and wallpaper line, which she incorporated into the home by reupholstering soft furnishings like armchairs, sofas, and large ottomans. The library is particularly illustrative of her textile passion, featuring contrasting patterns and vivid hues from her fabric and home accessories line, Irving and Morrison, co-founded with Carolina Irving two years prior. These fabrics, sourced from various international locations such as India, Morocco, and Turkey, are juxtaposed with equestrian paintings, leather-bound books, and a portrait of their son, Ted. Morrison avoids a "matchy look," advocating for a blend of items from different periods to create a lived-in, personalized aesthetic. Outdoor spaces also received significant attention. The Morrisons cultivated box balls and sculptural hedges to define the garden's form and redesigned the walled garden to create an outdoor living area for summer. They enjoy dining outside whenever possible, embracing the late-summer evenings. The transformation of the property reflects Morrison's distinctive style, characterized by offbeat colors, fanciful patterns, and a commitment to comfort and individuality in design. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #WelshCountryHouse #PennyMorrison #TextileDesign #EclecticDecor #HistoricProperty #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FabricPatterns

Jacque Hamilton acquired her dream home in WaterColor, Florida, nearly two decades after first discovering it. The property, located on Buttercup Street and designed by architect Jim Strickland of Historical Concepts, captivated Hamilton with its distinctive front porch, French doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. After initially being unable to purchase it, she rented the home and later managed it as a rental through her business, Exclusive 30A. The house, having served as a rental for twenty years, required significant repairs and an update to reflect Hamilton's personal style and modern durability needs. Hamilton engaged Birmingham-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas for the renovation, a recommendation from the original architect. Hillegas undertook a comprehensive decorating project, focusing on revitalizing the interior without structural changes, thanks to Strickland's well-conceived floor plan. The renovation process, completed in just four months, was expedited by Hillegas's resourceful approach, which involved reupholstering existing furnishings, repurposing fixtures, incorporating antique pieces, and pre-stocking textiles to minimize delays. A key design element is the front porch, which Hillegas transformed into a cozy and private space using curtains and shutters in a classic blue-and-white color palette. Benjamin Moore's Narragansett Green (HC-157) was chosen for the shutters, and Perennials' Vintage Stripe fabric in Lagoon was used for the curtains, setting a consistent color scheme throughout the house. Inside, Hillegas employed creative solutions for window treatments, layering tent-flap curtains with a bold print (Katsugi in Blues by Schumacher) on the front and a stripe on the back over woven blinds from India, to achieve visual impact efficiently. The open-concept kitchen and living area, a potential design challenge, was effectively delineated by Jim Strickland's strategic placement of ceiling beams. Hillegas enhanced the kitchen's functionality and aesthetic by installing a counter-depth panel-ready refrigerator to blend with existing cabinetry, which was repainted in Sherwin-Williams' Natural Tan (SW 7567). The island received a vibrant touch with Sherwin-Williams' Labradorite (SW 7619). Personal touches included incorporating Hamilton's dining table and hutch. Throughout the home, found objects were displayed as art, such as a collage of antique hats above the bed in the master bedroom, creating a beachy, casual ambiance. The master bed was dressed with linens from Peacock Alley, a Pottery Barn quilt, and a vintage throw. Built-in bookcases were updated with grass cloth wallpaper from Crezana, and the walls and ceiling were painted in Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster (SW 7008). The primary bathroom saw its existing vanity, light fixtures, claw-foot tub, and wooden elements revitalized with fresh paint, while original pickled walls upstairs were preserved to maintain their vintage appeal. The stair landing was updated with a Roman shade in a Quadrille fabric, New Batik Cloud New Brown on Tint. In the bedrooms, Hillegas blended new and vintage elements. One guest bedroom features a brown-and-white color palette with Caribbean-inspired decor, including a sunburst mirror and natural woven table, reflecting the coastal surroundings. The bedspread was custom-made, and the headboard covered in Heather Chadduck Textiles' Little Bamboo in Chocolate. Another guest bedroom showcases a playful mix of blue patterns reminiscent of the ocean, with drapes in a Heather Chadduck Textiles fabric complementing the blue-and-white bedding. The design approach successfully transformed the property into a personalized and functional Florida getaway, combining timeless style with practical durability for family use. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FloridaHome #CoastalLiving #HomeDecor #DesignTransformation #WaterColor

Interior designer Kelly Taylor transformed a family’s summer retreat in Narragansett, Rhode Island, into a year-round modern residence. The clients desired an exterior that harmonized with the coastal surroundings while demanding a distinctly modern interior. The home's unique “upside-down” layout positions the primary living spaces on the second floor, offering expansive ocean views that evoke the sensation of being on a boat. A prominent feature of the living room is an ocean blue quartzite stone fireplace, which serves as a central point against the glistening ocean backdrop. To maintain an open flow and unobstructed views, a custom-made cream sectional with a central gap was selected, complemented by small, pebble-like tables in metallic and wood tones that introduce a vibrant touch. The kitchen, a crucial area for the clients who enjoy cooking, features sleek, hardware-free cabinetry in blue and a custom-stained white birch. Taylor ingeniously incorporated high cabinetry to create a mirage, effectively concealing a slanted roofline and enhancing the kitchen's streamlined aesthetic. The second floor also accommodates a second bedroom and an ADA-compliant bathroom, designed for the client’s 95-year-old mother, yet styled to function as an elegant powder room for guests. On the first level, the primary bedroom continues the modern theme with a low-framed bed and subtle dusty purple accents. The primary bathroom is a notable design element, featuring 'his and her' sections accessible from separate closets. Artistic Tile Bianco Dolomiti tiles are used throughout, creating a cohesive look, with different patterns employed to give each section a unique identity while maintaining overall consistency. The large walk-in shower serves as the central point where the two sides of the bathroom reunite. The renovation successfully blended subtle coastal references with a timeless, contemporary interior, exceeding the clients' expectations. They expressed satisfaction with Taylor's ability to deliver a modern interior that eschewed a typical coastal aesthetic, seamlessly integrating the design with the natural beauty of the views. Taylor’s meticulous attention to detail and creative solutions were instrumental in achieving their vision of a sophisticated, year-round coastal home. #NarragansettHome #InteriorDesign #CoastalModern #KellyTaylor #HomeRenovation #ModernInterior #RhodeIslandHomes #LuxuryDesign

This article details the comprehensive renovation of a historic 1894 officer's quarters on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, undertaken by Donivon and Anne Glassburn. The project aimed to retain the home's historic aesthetic while integrating modern amenities and design. A significant aspect of the renovation involved carefully dismantling and then reusing 200-year-old oak boards from the original structure, which were milled into floorboards for the second level, creating a sense of continuity with the ground floor's reclaimed wood. This approach contributed to the home's perceived 'soul,' as noted by interior designer Allison Elebash. Architect Beau Clowney was instrumental in designing a 900-square-foot addition that harmonized with the original structure's scale and details. This addition primarily created an open living space at the back of the house, featuring steel doors that open to a pool area, envisioned by the Glassburns as a private resort. Elebash's interior design strategy focused on bridging the old and new elements through classic finishes, sculptural furniture, durable fabrics suitable for a coastal environment, and the strategic display of the family's modern art collection. The renovation emphasized creating a sense of spaciousness. The addition of a wall of steel windows and doors in the living area, despite its moderate size, makes the room feel significantly larger. Careful planning by Clowney and Elebash regarding interior doorways, kitchen layout, and furniture placement contributes to the illusion of a much larger home, with visitors often estimating it to be 3,600 square feet, when it is actually 2,950 square feet. The front room serves a dual purpose as an everyday entry and a special-occasion dining room, facilitated by clever furniture choices like a round dining table that allows for ample foot traffic. The design incorporates a mix of high-end and inexpensive items, such as antique dining chairs paired with an acrylic table and a durable seagrass rug, ensuring both elegance and practicality for daily life with pets. The kitchen, where the addition meets the original structure, features marble used in contemporary ways, such as a waterfall island and slab backsplash, creating a focal point on the range wall. Transom windows above the doorways enhance light flow and character. Shaker cabinets, painted in a diluted Benjamin Moore's Collingwood (OC-28) to match the original window and door trim's thin bead detail, and walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) complete the cohesive look. A pass-through area, originally intended as a sitting room, was converted into a cabinet-lined butler's pantry, easing traffic flow during entertaining and complementing the petite kitchen. The cabinetry in this area is painted Farrow & Ball's Stone Blue (No. 86) as a nod to the coastal setting, and polished nickel hardware was predominantly used, with brass accents in the butler's pantry. Upstairs, a bedroom was transformed into a den, initially appearing bland with white walls. Elebash introduced Thibaut's Kasai wallpaper to add a significant visual impact. The renovation budget was managed by limiting the home's size to 2,950 square feet, allowing for investment in high-end materials and features like a vaulted ceiling with early 20th-century style beams and shiplap walls that visually distinguish the new addition from the original drywall. The main bathroom includes carved storage nooks to address an awkward bump-out and a wall-to-wall mirror to enhance the sense of space. The daughter's bedroom features a cheerful Quadrille's Sigourney Small Scale fabric for the headboard, bed skirt, and Roman shades, complemented by a bright white palette, rattan accents, and colorful woven baskets as wall decor. Externally, Clowney restored the exterior to its original 1890s appearance while adding modern touches, such as a 10-foot-deep porch, substantial shutters, and dramatic rooflines with replicated trusses. Contemporary elements like ipe decking, oversized pool pavers, and modern landscaping by Sheila Wertimer contrast with the historic facade. This blend of historical preservation and modern convenience has created a home that the Glassburns cherish, with their daughter already expressing a desire to inherit it. #HistoricRenovation #CoastalHomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalAddition #ReclaimedMaterials #LuxuryRenovation #SullivanIsland #TraditionalMeetsModern #HomeTransformation

Fashion designer Kelli Wharton embarked on a transformative renovation of her blonde-brick suburban house in Byron Bay, converting it into a stunning beach-inspired home. Her clear vision was to create a cool, beachy abode that mirrored the laidback coastal lifestyle she and her family embraced, regularly spending time on the white sands south of Byron Bay. The design emphasized ease and functionality to suit a family with two young boys, incorporating natural elements like stone and wood throughout the interior to reflect the surrounding environment. Key changes included converting a bedroom into a family room, which was adorned with cushions from Talulah's homewares range. The living room features a striking coffee table from Ahoy Trader and a recently added Izzah Beni Ourain rug from Marr-Kett. The master bedroom was thoughtfully built in the space previously occupied by the garage, featuring whitewashed floorboards from Choices Flooring, contributing to the beachy aesthetic. The master bedroom also includes a colorful artwork by Jai Vasicek of Ahoy Trader, hanging above a chair sourced from Byron Designworks. The kitchen, a central hub for the family, was completely rebuilt in its original location to incorporate more cupboard and bench space, catering to practical family needs. The dining area features a marble-topped dining table from Coco Republic, complemented by chairs from Fenton & Fenton. The bathroom was updated with Bianco Industry Silver tiles from Byron Bay Tiles, ensuring a contemporary yet cohesive feel. An outdoor dining area includes a table from Kelli's father, paired with chairs imported from Indonesia, and a fan from Beacon Lighting, with a towel from the Talulah homewares range, enhancing the indoor-outdoor flow. Functionality and style extend to the exterior with a garage built from merbau timber at the front of the property, designed to house the family's surfboards, including a mini mal from Kelli's own label, Talulah. This renovation successfully blends modern design with a relaxed, beach-inspired atmosphere, creating a home that is both beautiful and practical for a coastal family life. #ByronBayHome #BeachHouseRenovation #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #FashionDesignerHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #HomeTransformation