Coastal Classic

Lowcountry and Creole influences are evident in this lake home’s brick and whitewashed cypress siding, says architect Thad Truitt. Homeowner Elizabeth Brunson wanted to combine her native Atlanta’s traditional style with the laid-back vibe of Lake Rabun’s lakeside living.

Designer Liz Williams infused the family room with quiet sophistication, employing neutral upholstery from Ferrell Mittman through Ainsworth-Noah and a fireside bench from Holland Macrae. A Rose Tarlow iron chandelier strikes a casual note; the Lowcountry landscape above the fireplace is by Charleston artist Laura Lloyd Fontaine.

“Elizabeth loves blues and greens and those colors appear in every space and work perfectly with the setting.” —Liz Williams

In the dining room, Williams considered the homeowner’s penchant for traditional style, so family antiques blend in beautifully. Pretty floral panels in a Lee Jofa fabric with Scalamandré trim grace the windows while an Oushak from Azra Oriental Rugs softens the stained white oak floors used throughout the main living spaces.

In the classic white kitchen, a pale blue painted island and lanterns from Paul Ferrante, also in blue, keep the soft palette flowing in the open floor plan. The Holland Macrae barstools are upholstered in a Richard Smith fabric.

In the classic white kitchen, a pale blue painted island and lanterns from Paul Ferrante, also in blue, keep the soft palette flowing in the open floor plan. The Holland Macrae barstools are upholstered in a Richard Smith fabric.

Pecky cypress, a hallmark of the coastal setting, gives the den a cozy feel. The room reads masculine thanks to tailored furnishings and fabrics, as well as from the hunting and fishing trophies, a passion of both father and sons.

The house sits on Lake Frederica in a golf and boating community, which makes getting on the water a breeze for the passionate fishermen in the family.

The pedestal dining table with an urn base and limestone top is Formations through Jerry Pair. The wicker chairs are Lloyd Flanders with cushions in a Peter Fasano fabric.

The palette of master bedroom was inspired by its coastal setting. The upholstered headboard is dressed in Travers fabric with bed linens from Leontine Linens. The Hickory Chair bench, covered in Richard Smith fabric, is the perfect height for the family dogs to reach the bed.

A beautiful arched opening frames the entrance to the bath and shower space. Classic wallpaper from Waterhouse Wallhangings adds a little liveliness while keeping the spa-like look. The vanity chair is by Hickory Chair covered in a Donghia fabric.

A beautiful arched opening frames the entrance to the bath and shower space. Classic wallpaper from Waterhouse Wallhangings adds a little liveliness while keeping the spa-like look. The vanity chair is by Hickory Chair covered in a Donghia fabric.

The palette throughout the house draws from the lakeside setting and rich foliage. “I’m drawn to soothing colors—nothing too bold,” says Elizabeth. In a guest bedroom, a cheerful floral print from Lee Jofa appears in a skirted table and bed pillow. The windows in that same fabric are edged in a Scalamandré trim in a color that plays off the bedside lamps by Joseph Konrad.

The palette throughout the house draws from the lakeside setting and rich foliage. “I’m drawn to soothing colors—nothing too bold,” says Elizabeth. In a guest bedroom, a cheerful floral print from Lee Jofa appears in a skirted table and bed pillow. The windows in that same fabric are edged in a Scalamandré trim in a color that plays off the bedside lamps by Joseph Konrad.

A pair of bergère chairs from Acquisitions in a Cowtan & Tout fabric make a pretty spot for guests to relax and take in the views. The lamp is from The Stalls with an Edgar-Reeves shade.

The adjoining bath, wallpapered in a khaki and white design by Sister Parish (Kinnicutt in brown) and a roman shade, also with green trim from Schumacher, keeps the palette flowing. The sconces are Visual Comfort and the towels are from Leontine Linens.

In a guest bath, the floor tile, set in a herringbone pattern, is from Renaissance Tile & Bath. The pale blue vanity is topped with a custom mirror from Caroline Budd’s Picture Framing. The pagoda lanterns are from Lamplight Designs.

below One of the son’s bedrooms makes a statement with Ralph Lauren plaid shams, bedding in taupe hues from Traditions Linens and a custom upholstered headboard with nailhead detailing.

In a guest bedroom, a feminine floral, Jasper’s Tree of Life, covers the custom headboard, draperies and an armchair. The monogrammed ivory bed linens are Leontine Linens. The side table is from the Nicholson Gallery and the lamp

In a guest bedroom, a feminine floral, Jasper’s Tree of Life, covers the custom headboard, draperies and an armchair. The monogrammed ivory bed linens are Leontine Linens. The side table is from the Nicholson Gallery and the lamp

When planning her dream home in St. Simons’ Frederica community, Elizabeth Brunson enlisted the help of one of her oldest friends—Atlanta interior designer Liz Williams. “Elizabeth and I met in fourth grade and were fast friends,” says Williams. “I’m familiar with her style, and we like a lot of the same things, so working together was a breeze.” Elizabeth’s husband, Trey, also enlisted the help of a close friend—Chip Evans of Evans & Varnadoe Construction—to build the home.

The Brunsons had owned the lot for eight years, waiting for the development to mature before beginning to build. The goal of the team, which also included architect Thad Truett, was to create a home that worked for the present and beyond. 

“Our sons are almost grown, but we built with an expectation that one day they would marry and bring their families home, so we even included a guesthouse,” says Elizabeth. 

For the exteriors, Truett looked to classic Southern vernaculars. “There is some Lowcountry and Creole influence, with references to the Louisiana architect A. Hays Town. It’s a hybrid,” he says. “I wanted the house to look like it had been here forever, and think it conveys that,” adds Elizabeth.

The home’s layout included spaces tailored to meet the Brunsons’ needs—a designated closet for sporting and fishing equipment; a room for watching Georgia football; a screened porch with a fireplace and custom cooking area; and even a dog shower in the laundry room. The home’s overall style skews classic, says Williams, with discrete nods to the location such as the tabby fireplace on the porch and the pecky cypress in the study. “I grew up in Atlanta and love a more traditional look, nothing trendy or too modern,” says Elizabeth. “I also spent many happy times at my grandparents’ Lake Rabun home, and I wanted the house to reflect that lifestyle as well as the coast.”

The result of this team work is rooms that feel casual yet sophisticated, with a pretty palette woven throughout. “Elizabeth loves blues and greens and those colors appear in every space and work perfectly with the setting,” says Williams. To achieve a sense of comfort, the designer also incorporated a mix of antiques and newer pieces in each room, along with botanical fabrics, unique wallpapers and beautiful rugs. “Liz understood me in every regard,” says Elizabeth. “Everything is executed beautifully. The flow between the rooms is seamless.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Liz Williams, Liz Williams Interiors, (404) 816-9868; lizwilliamsinteriors.com
ARCHITECT Thad Truett, Thomas Thaddeus Truett Architect, P.C.; tttarch.com