Interior designer Summer Williams knows a thing or two about living abroad given her dual practices in Atlanta and London. So, when her European-based clients approached her about crafting a Sea Island, Georgia, beach retreat, she understood their excitement about building a getaway from scratch. “After living in historic dwellings for many years, they could now create their dream house with a level of freedom and the luxury of space rarely found in renovated European structures,” Williams says. Presented with a blank slate, the designer set out to realize a deeply personal vacation home with the comfort and sophistication of a primary residence.
Working with architect Thad Truett and general contractor Matthew McHale, Williams launched the project with an important objective—to ensure the new house never looked unlived in. “When you’re building from the ground up, you have to insert the history that’s lacking to make it feel complete and grounded,” Williams explains. That aging process started outside with the structure’s brick exterior. “The clients wanted it whitewashed, and we went through many brick samples to land on that ideal been-around-a-while look,” McHale recalls.
Home Details
Architecture: Thad Truett, Thomas Thaddeus Truett Architect, P.C.
Interior Design: Summer Williams, Summer Williams Design
Home Builder: Matthew McHale, Ramsey McHale
Styling: Yvonne Teague Orchard
The process of making new look old continued inside, with critical decisions about architectural materials taking priority. Wood floors in varying widths add time-honored charm throughout the ground level, while traditional tongue-and-groove wall treatments in the bathrooms reinforce the location’s Southern heritage. Aged character is especially present in the kitchen, where reclaimed heart pine wood beams lend patina and rusticity. Warm brass hardware and a Malayer rug bring authenticity, while more contemporary elements, like plaster cone pendants, provide an updated feel.
When it came to the decor overall, the designer let the ocean views control the narrative. “I feel like the more complicated you make the interior, the more it starts to compete with the views,” Williams observes. And so, she introduced a restrained palette of soft neutrals, allowing the surrounding scenery to remain the focal point, as evidenced in the family room. There, upholstered seating and linen drapery are bedecked in complementary sandy tones, forging a visual connection to the outdoors. The homeowners’ art collection also drove Williams’ selection of subtle hues, which form a quiet backdrop for the couple’s large-scale statement pieces. For example, in the dining room, a vibrant painting depicting blooming florals energizes the space while playing nicely with the room’s more understated furnishings, including a walnut dining table and woven chairs.
Dialing into the casual side of coastal living, the designer introduced tactile fabrics and wallcoverings to convey warmth. Linen is prevalent throughout the house, especially in the primary bedroom. The material was used here for upholstery, establishing a relaxed look with soft hues that suggest a sense of calm. “I love linen—it is so comfortable and soft and feels like a natural choice at the beach,” she notes. Williams also employed printed grass-cloth wallpaper in several areas for a contemporary twist that blends seamlessly with the setting.
Given the clients’ request for a home with multigenerational appeal, Williams complied by creating a variety of places to gather and have a good time. The ultimate merriment-making spot might be the wow-factor game room, whose generous size accommodates a handcrafted pingpong table, shuffleboard, inviting bar and game table—in other words, fun for everyone. Jolts of vibrant color, such as orange barstools, enhance the space’s whimsical personality.
While the abode’s emphasis on leisure might be indicative of a Georgia beach house, McHale believes that its European-inflected sophistication is distinctive. “Summer’s international experience brought a level of flair to the project that was unique from other projects I have worked on,” he says. For Williams, however, comfort is key to the property’s success. “You want to feel like you can live there without everything being too precious—it’s a home that still engages you and has the foundation to evolve over time as tastes change,” she says.
