Built to Last

The home’s Charleston Single House-style facade complements its Rosemary Beach, Florida, surroundings.

“The piazza has a cohesiveness that is so important,” notes Spitzmiller. “We tried really hard to use textures and materials that complemented each other and made the qualities of each stronger.” Copper lanterns are by Bevolo.

“The dining room is a very small space so you really notice every detail,” says Weaks. “We had to capitalize on every square inch of it.” The banquette was custom made for the alcove by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and upholstered in a Henry Calvin fabric, both from Ainsworth-Noah & Associates. The dining table is by New Classics Creations, and the chairs are by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman. Iron-and-gilt chandelier, Robuck & Company.

With its almost cathedral-like ceiling, the living room had to offer beautiful—and comfortable—furniture to match. The Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman sofa is covered with Zimmer + Rhode fabric, both available through Ainsworth-Noah & Associates. Lucite-and-glass coffee table, Smith Grubbs & Associates. Sultanabad rug, Moattar, Ltd.

In the kitchen, designed by Spitzmiller & Norris, the hewn beams of pecky cypress are each carved out of a single massive tree trunk, hundreds of year old, which was raised out of a swamp. “I really appreciate how special that is,” says homeowner Courtney Amos. “It’s very hard to find those types of indigenous materials.” The bell jar lanterns are available through Grizzel & Mann. Barstools, Smith Grubbs & Associates. Refrigerator and freezer, Sub-Zero.

The color in the trumeau mirror from Parc Monceau relates perfectly to the blues in the living room fabrics. Propped in the corner, the 1880s wood carving of a dolphin that designer Carole Weaks found in France may have originally functioned as the leg of a fireplace surround. Chairs are from Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and feature a Brunschwig & Fils fabric. A Greg Gustafson canvas from Tew Galleries hangs above the mantel. Bookcase lights, Circa Lighting.

A large 1780 Bordeaux armoire from Jacqueline Adams Antiques anchors the living room. The silk drapery fabric by Nobilis adds a layer of subtle color, and slipper chairs—covered in an Etamine fabric—offer easy-to-move seating.

In the guest house, John Derian plates from Bohlert Massey Home hang over a scalloped headboard by C. Weaks Interiors, upholstered in a Manuel Canovas fabric from Travis & Co. A chandelier from Edgar-Reeves draws your eye to the ceiling, which is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Heavenly Blue. The Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman loveseat is upholstered in a Cowtan & Tout fabric. Drapery fabric by Osborne & Little, available through Ainsworth-Noah & Associates. Rug, Stark Carpet.

“The color of the bathroom is such a showstopper,” declares Weaks. The candy-colored coral wallpaper is by Osborne & Little, and the pendant light is from Edgar-Reeves. A grand 19th-century Bonnetiere armoire from Parc Monceau is paired with a lively club chair covered in a Zimmer + Rhode fabric. Metal side table, Bohlert Massey Home.

In the master bedroom, Benjamin Moore’s Blue Lace paint color blankets the walls. The bed, mirrored chest and bench are by Niermann Weeks, available through Grizzel & Mann. The bench is upholstered in a Fortuny fabric. A mirror from Amy Howard Collection is from Bohlert Massey Home.

The homeowners credit builder Christian Tennant for executing the intricate building plans of their Rosemary Beach vacation home, including the inlayed floor and beautiful wood molding in the foyer. “With all the detailing, the entry immediately makes you feel like you’re somewhere special,” says residential designer Rick Spitzmiller. The Oly Studio chandelier, made of petite abalone shells, is from Bohlert Massey Interiors. The blue-gray Swedish antique clock is from Parc Monceau.

“We wanted the fireplace sitting area to draw people out for picnics or cocktails,” Spitzmiller adds. Cast-stone mantel and face veneer designed by Spitzmiller and produced by Cutting Edge Stone. The furniture is by Janus et Cie. “Every way you approach the house you get a beautiful view of the courtyard,” says designer Susan Massey.

After losing out on three homes during an especially hot period in Florida real estate, Paul and Courtney Amos decided that the only way they were going to capture their dream home was to create it themselves.

“We started driving down highway 30-A and when we got to Rosemary Beach, we stepped out of the car and turned 360 degrees,” Courtney says of the picture-perfect hamlet along Florida’s panhandle. “We didn’t have to say a thing. We knew it was perfect for us.”

The community’s petite lot and neighborhood covenants dictated that the house’s architectural design would harken to a Charleston Single House-style residence. “We had to make every square inch livable and truly functional for this young family,” says residential designer Rick Spitzmiller, of the Atlanta architectural design firm Spitzmiller & Norris, who worked with business partner Robert Norris to design the home.

“There are breakaway spaces for people to go off and have a moment of solitude, but overall the house encourages large gatherings and time together with family and friends,” he notes. In traditional Charleston Single House style, the first floor is usually overlooked for the second-story living spaces, but not so here. “We aimed to make every floor special,” says Spitzmiller. “The staircase is open to really connect the house and keeps any floor from feeling cut off from another.” The main level contains the living room, kitchen and dining room. In reality, the floor is all one room, but each space is given the geometry, scale and thoughtful design to make it feel separate from the others. Large windows and doors open wide to let breezes blow through. “It’s a grand house for piling people in,” says Spitzmiller.

However, it’s the living room ceiling that proves to be the home’s crowning architectural jewel. Inspired by a photo Courtney found in a book on early-20th-century architect Addison Mizner’s Palm Beach homes, multiple pieces of molding incorporate each branch of the snowflake-patterned, panel strap-work ceiling. “You can’t help but sit and stare at the beauty of the raw wood,” says Courtney.

With such a magnificent backdrop, the home’s decor had to be equally as captivating. “The architecture just demanded that we step it up a bit,” says Atlanta interior designer Carole Weaks of C. Weaks Interiors. “If we had not used strong antiques pieces and unique elements, it wouldn’t have suited the house nor the family.” Weaks traveled to France for the necessary pieces and special finds. She then focused on fabrics with personality over practicality—and then coated them with good fabric protectant to survive the harsh demands of beach life.

After settling into the house for a year, the Amoses brought in Seacrest Beach designer Susan Massey of Bohlert Massey Interiors. “Susan brought in another layer of detail and a beachy feel,” says Courtney. “We had the privilege of working with an incredible team to build a new home that has some real history.”

LIVE THE LIFESTYLE  Atlanta designer Carole Weaks shares a few of her beach house favorites
Pantry Staples: I like to pick up a few things from Bella Cucina on the way out of town—they go perfectly with wine and cheese.
China: I love simple white plates that you can get almost anywhere. If the children are grown, you can upgrade to something nice from Atelier de Villatte, which has a beautiful glaze.
Throw: Brahms Mount linen throws are an ideal weight.
Candle: Voluspa Laguna’s are great—even the name sounds good. Weekend
Reading: Nothing too heavy or serious. Anything by Nelson Demille always makes me laugh out loud.
Guestroom Essential: A waffle-weave robe by Matouk.
Cocktail: The best beach buzz comes from those crazy rum concoctions you never would dream of having at home.

Residential Design Rick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris, Spitzmiller & Norris. (404) 812-0224; spitzmillerandnorris.com Interior Design Carole Weaks, C. Weaks Interiors. (404) 233-6040; cweaksint.com  Susan Massey, Bohlert Massey Interiors, Seacrest Beach, Florida. (850) 231-3940; bohlertmassey.com