Family Ties

A vintage flatweave rug by Moattar defines a cozy seating area with four sofas—one for each member of the family—in the great room of a Sea Island home by Kay Douglass Interiors, Summerour Architects and Summerour Construction Services.

Encaustic black and white tile from Ciot and citron lanterns from The Urban Electric Co. pop against the custom cabinetry by Keystone Millworks in the open kitchen.

A rounded sectional sofa by Verellen anchors a spot for conversation and cocktails at one end of the long dining area that overlooks the marsh.

Echoing the shape of the white metal windows, a built-in banquette has become a favorite spot for homeowner Bonneau Ansley to answer emails while on holiday.

An oversize lantern by R Hughes illuminates the dining area without interfering with the views of the marsh. The banquettes and host chairs are by Verellen. 

Featuring raised stitching, the powder room’s vivid wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries is “a beautiful surprise,” says Douglass.

Framing long views of the marsh, white metal windows contrast the rich cedar shake siding in this Sea Island retreat.

Made of recycled glass, a geometric patterned tile from Renaissance Tile & Bath creates a dramatic backdrop for the primary bathroom’s soaker tub.

A traditional chest from Holland & Company and lamp from Bungalow Classic flanks the custom linen-covered headboard in the primary bedroom.

In the teenage daughter’s bathroom, the custom vanity’s integrated circular pulls coordinate with the pattern of the graphic encaustic floor tile from STP.

A custom headboard upholstered in pink corduroy makes a statement in the teenage daughter’s bedroom.

Yellow ceiling lights from The Urban Electric Co. play off the accent pillows and custom Roman shades in a third-floor sleeping area.

Nestled into the pitched tongue-and-groove ceiling, custom built-in beds with upholstered headboards create additional sleeping space in a bonus room on the top floor.

A custom yellow metal mirror with an articulating arm by Skylar Morgan adds a subtle pop of color to an otherwise all-white bathroom.

In a space often used for a garage or storage, Summerour instead incorporated a poolside lounge that opens on both sides.

The owners enjoy watching the picturesque sunsets from the outdoor living area off the lower-level poolside lounge.

A white chandelier from Paul+ illuminates a wooden table surrounded by chairs from Janus et Cie. The wallcovering is from Élitis.

Pops of red and blue enliven the white stucco fireplace, cast concrete tile flooring and reclaimed-wood ceilings in the poolside lounge.

The opportunity to build a private dock was one of the selling points for Ansley, who enjoys taking his family out on the water. 

Part of a family that has been coming to Sea Island for four generations, Bonneau Ansley leapt at the rarified opportunity to purchase a pristine waterfront property there, soon assembling an all-star team to build a custom home for him and his wife, Jen, to bring their two teenage children. “Sea Island is where you learn to love life,” he says. “When you arrive, all your worries go away.”

As the founder and CEO of Southern real estate company Ansley Real Estate, he has toured a multitude of high-end homes over the years, often taking photos of architecture and design details he particularly loved. Many of them made their way into architect Keith Summerour’s design. “I wanted a one-of-a-kind home that was unlike anything else on the island,” says Ansley, describing Summerour as a “living legend.”

In contrast to the many Spanish-inspired houses on the island, Summerour designed a cedar shingle-style home with white metal windows and a unique louver system that wraps the front facade’s lower level. Making the most of the island’s size restrictions, he incorporated a poolside lounge on the lower level and tucked a third floor into the softly curved roofline. “From the third floor, you feel like you’re in the captain’s quarters looking out over miles and miles of marsh,” says Summerour, comparing the house to an upside-down ship.

Visible from every room, the beautiful vistas inspired interior designer Kay Douglass to select a neutral palette punctuated by punches of color, graphic pattern and texture. Citron lanterns and black and white encaustic tile, for example, enlivens the white cabinetry in the open kitchen. “It needed that kick,” she says. A boisterous black, white and cobalt wallcovering has the same impact in the poolside lounge, where tailored furnishings covered in performance fabrics surround a white stucco fireplace.

Pattern and color also energize the bedrooms. Matching upholstered headboards covered in a daring mustard and white tropical pattern pop against the white walls and tongue-and-groove ceiling in the third-floor bunk room. And exemplified by the encaustic floor tile in the adjacent bathroom, a unique red, white and pink palette distinguishes the daughter’s bedroom suite. “When an owner trusts everybody with their trade, you get magic,” says Douglass.

Ansley and his family agree wholeheartedly, spending as much time as they can at their seaside retreat, which includes a pickleball court and a private dock where the family enjoys fishing and swimming. “It was a dream to build this place and carry on the family tradition,” he says. “Hopefully my kids will bring their families here one day.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Kay Douglass, Kay Douglass Interiors, (404) 625-1052; southofmarket.biz ARCHITECT Keith Summerour, Summerour Architects, (404) 603-8585; summerourarchitects.com BUILDER Lance Summerour, Summerour Construction Services, (912) 506-1751; summerourconstruction.com