Clear Vistas

Custom wall paneling laid in a graphic herringbone pattern creates an eye-popping first impression in a conversation area near the front entry.

Staged with boisterous pillows covered in Jim Thompson fabric with Samuel & Sons trim, a pair of sofas by Wesley Hall through WebbMarstellar invite long evenings in front of the fireplace. The painting over the mantel is by Ritva Porter through Gregg Irby Gallery.

A built-in banquette and rattan chairs with woven seats by Selamat through Verde Home surround a trestle table from Nottingham Antiques in the breakfast area. The vintage crab prints were framed by Caroline Budd’s Picture Framing.

Lanterns in aged iron with mercury glass bell shades from Circa Lighting add an artistic dimension to the spacious kitchen.

Inspiring the rhythm of blue and green tones, a blue island paired with apple green counter stools juxtaposes the painted pecky cypress cabinetry in the open kitchen.

Patterned curtains by Schumacher with a Samuel & Sons trim create visual interest in the second-floor primary bedroom. The bench is from Kenian Fine Rattan Furniture.

Located off the second-floor primary bedroom, a covered porch furnished with a sectional and side tables, all by Lloyd Flanders through Logan Gardens, makes an ideal spot to enjoy the warm sea breezes. The blue pillows are from Peter Dunham.

Paired with light blue shades, dark green table lamps from Villa & House contribute to the forest of greens in the main-floor primary bedroom

Woven chairs from Kingsley Bate surround a teak table from Logan Gardens on a lush poolside patio with multiple conversation zones.

A graphic wallpaper (Creeping Fern in Moss by Schumacher) adds a punch of color and pattern to the powder room, where burnished silver leaf sconces from Circa Lighting flank a shell mirror from Made Goods.

A guest suite is furnished with a painted wooden bed flanked by white lacquered side tables by Villa & House through JDouglas. The throw is from Serena & Lily.

Curtains made with a green-and-white patterned fabric by Kravet with blue tape trim by Samuel & Sons enliven the white walls in the light-filled guest suite; the rattan lounge chair is from Made Goods.

Patterned pillows, a checkered throw and a round rug from Dash & Albert add soft pops of color to the bunkroom.

Covered in performance fabric from WebbMarstellar, a sectional sofa from Wesley Hall and a pencil pole rattan waterfall coffee table by Selamat through Verde Home foster a cozy vibe in the third-floor tower bar.

Backsplash tile from Renaissance Tile & Bath accents the painted pecky cypress cabinetry.

Inspired by the beachy setting, the tower room bath includes a textural blue grasscloth wallcovering by Thibaut, rope sconces from Currey & Company and vintage fish prints from Urban Garden.

For Denver-based empty nesters, Pete and Kathy Gillespie, the Gulf shore community of Seagrove, Florida, has long signaled rest and relaxation—a place to paddleboard, bike and take long walks on the beach. After many visits to the area, they purchased a property near the water and commissioned GLM Designs, Inc. to design a three-level stucco abode and interior designer and longtime friend Liz Williams to help them make it their own.

Hoping future grandchildren will spend time there, they emphasized that comfort and durability were just as important as aesthetics. “We didn’t want it to feel like a show home,” says Kathy. “We envisioned a place where you can throw a towel over the chair, plop down and watch TV.”

Noting their appreciation for green and blue hues, the designer leaned into the palette. The painted pecky cypress perimeter cabinetry in the kitchen, for example, is punctuated by a steely blue island paired with apple green counter stools. And lime green draperies pop against a sky blue sectional sofa accented with a navy throw in the third-floor tower bar.

In fact, varying shades, patterns and combinations, the designer wove the palette throughout the bedrooms and out onto the many outdoor living areas. “Mixing shades helps with the flow, and the design doesn’t feel repetitive,” she says. “Even with mostly white walls, it’s a vibrant project.”

Texture also plays a key role. Wood wall paneling laid in a herringbone pattern enlivens a cozy sitting area near the entrance, its plush neutral lounge chairs accented with blue and white patterned throw pillows, pottery and lighting.

And rattan chairs with woven seats in a green and white colorway surround the breakfast table at the built-in banquette, which has a blue seat cushion detailed with green piping. “Texture gives the space a more interesting, layered look,” she says, pointing to the reclaimed-wood elements in the kitchen. “This house is comfortable but very put together.”

Williams employed the same formula for the many outdoor living spaces. A large poolside patio includes areas for dining and conversation alongside a stand-alone stucco fireplace. In addition, each of the primary bedrooms has its own furnished patio and there’s a third-floor deck with ocean views.

During their first visit there for the Fourth of July, the owners, their three grown children and their significant others watched the sunset from the tower deck, cocktails in hand, before walking down to the beach to watch the fireworks. It was the first time several of them had seen the space. “We were blown away by how amazing it looked,” says Kathy. “It feels like a happy beach house.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Liz Williams, Liz Williams Interiors; lizwilliamsinteriors.com ARCHITECT GLM Designs, Inc. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Shelia Huffman, Premier Landscape Services BUILDER Alex Rice, Old Seagrove Homes, (205) 335-1664; oldseagrovehomes.com