Coastal Ease Meets Family Living on Sea Island

Designer Heather Dewberry and architect Josh Youngner craft a Sea Island getaway with layered blues, relaxed coastal architecture, and family-friendly interiors

Written by Shannon Sharpe Photographed by Emily Followill Styled by Jimmie Henslee

April 2026

Brick home with gray shutters, a covered entryway with a decorative balcony, and palm trees lining the brick driveway.

The home’s facade leans traditional, with washed brick, a slate roof, and preserved oak trees setting a refined Southern tone that nods to classic Atlanta architecture.

Foyer with arched ceiling featuring blue textured wallpaper, a glass pendant light, and double doors opening to a garden. A white flamingo sculpture sits beside a bench on the left, and a wooden chest with decorative items is on the right.

In the foyer, artwork by Kim Collinson hangs above a console from Holland MacRae.

Hallway interior with a wooden chest of drawers, two upholstered chairs, abstract art, and green vases on wall shelves.

A marbleized Thibaut wallpaper on the foyer ceiling and a Visual Comfort & Co. fixture draw the eye upward.

Dining room with a blue built-in cabinet featuring two framed heron artworks and a poolside artwork above a marble countertop.

The custom bar coated in Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nose is easily concealed when the family isn’t entertaining, thanks to sliding panels integrated into the walls.

Dining room with light wood table and upholstered chairs, abstract art, and a high-gloss ceiling. A blue built-in cabinet is visible to the left.

In the dining room, Artistic Frame chairs upholstered in Kravet and Galbraith & Paul fabrics surround a table from Holland MacRae.

Light blue living room with patterned armchairs and sofas, a cream fireplace, blue lattice doors, and abstract art.

Chairs in soft blue textiles and Schumacher window treatments—accented by Paul Schneider Ceramics lamps—bring calm to the living room.

Light blue built-in cabinetry lines a hallway with a round window and two framed blue coral prints. A woven pendant light hangs overhead.

Mudroom cabinetry coated in Benjamin Moore’s Palace Pearl adds serenity to the family’s entrance.

Hallway with light blue built-in cabinets and bench, leading to a room with palm tree wallpaper, light blue cabinets, and a window overlooking greenery.

“Who doesn’t need a happy lift when you’re doing chores?” says designer Heather Dewberry of why she chose the palm-print Clarence House wallpaper in the laundry room

Powder room with blue vanity, marble countertop, floral wallpaper, and light blue curtains.

Willow-print wallpaper, paired with pale-blue reeded cabinetry by Block + Chisel, adds a dash of whimsy to the powder room.

Light blue kitchen island with marble countertop and upholstered bar stools, white cabinetry, and a metal range hood over a patterned backsplash.

Kitchen cabinetry by Block + Chisel in Benjamin Moore’s Serenata sets off the marble tile backsplash from Stonelluxe and zinc hood by Smithworks.

Light blue living room with white sofa, light blue armchairs, coffered ceiling with exposed beams, and a bay window with built-in banquette seating.

Nicknamed the “marsh room,” the downstairs sitting room nods to the exterior with its soft greens and blues. Lamps by Paul Schneider Ceramics in the same colors bring the finishing touch to the space.

Bedroom with a floral upholstered headboard, pink pillows, white quilted bedspread, and a white nightstand with a green lamp.

A custom bed in a floral Schumacher fabric is paired with a Stark rug in a daughter’s bedroom.

Bedroom with vaulted wood-paneled ceiling, round window, light blue curtains, and a bed with blue and white patterned accents.

A Quadrille-upholstered bed by S&L Designs anchors the serene primary suite, where water views abound.

Light blue bathroom with a freestanding soaking tub, tall storage cabinets with decorative glass panels, and a large window overlooking a brick courtyard.

A PDI tub and Palecek chandelier take center stage in the tranquil primary bathroom.

Bedroom with navy blue bunk beds, white walls, blue and white patterned Roman shades, and a white desk with two chairs.

Custom bunk beds by Ramsey McHale in Benjamin Moore’s Lucerne encourage slumber parties, as the room sleeps up to 12 people.

Blue double vanity with marble countertop, three sinks, and silver hardware, flanked by tall mirrors. White walls and patterned tile floor.

The bunk bathroom continues the blue palette with Block + Chisel cabinetry and a patterned floor from Renaissance Tile & Bath.

Living room with blue sofa, patterned curtains, burl wood coffee table, and framed artwork of a coastal town.

In the upstairs sitting room, a custom sofa and Chaddock Furniture chairs in Pindler fabric provide ideal places to perch when taking in the water views.

Game room with a bright blue chevron barn door, a green game table with mahjong tiles, and woven rattan chairs. A modern wood and white chandelier hangs from the vaulted ceiling.

Tucked into the upstairs sitting room, the game table area centers on a Scout Design Studio table surrounded by Serena & Lily chairs.

Covered porch with light blue and green upholstered furniture overlooking a marsh at sunset with large oak trees

Sunset views wow on the upper terrace, where RH seating is paired with custom chairs upholstered in Thibaut fabric.

Luxury backyard with a rectangular swimming pool, white lounge chairs, and lush landscaping featuring palm trees and live oaks draped with Spanish moss.

Poolside lounging is elevated with streamlined RH seating.

Large brick home with dark-trimmed windows and multiple gables, surrounded by mature oak trees and lush landscaping, with a wooden boardwalk leading to the property.

At the rear, the architecture loosens into a coastal rhythm: A curved parapet wall, exterior stair, and low-profile metal roof open the home to marsh and river views while encouraging relaxed outdoor living.

When sea island homeowners set out to create a marsh-side retreat, they envisioned a place that would flex between quiet weekends with their three teenage daughters and lively gatherings with friends. To achieve this, they turned to designer Heather Dewberry of Huff-Dewberry Inc., architect Josh Youngner of Youngner Architecture & Design, builder Matthew McHale of Ramsey McHale, and Sea Island Landscape. “They wanted the house to have some wow moments, but still feel comfortable for everyday family life,” says Dewberry.

Youngner used the architectural framework to establish a clear shift—formal at the facade, more relaxed at the marsh-facing rear. “You start to see a coastal look with the architectural movement,” he explains, pointing to the exterior stair, curved parapet wall, and low-profile metal roof. “The back is where the house loosens up.”

Inside, Dewberry avoided heavy patterns and overt coastal cues, instead layering blues, soft greens, and subdued neutrals. The foyer introduces a subtle wow moment with a pale blue marbleized wallpaper applied to the ceiling. “It looks like an Italian marble design, and it resonates with the water outside,” says Dewberry.

That sense of ease continues into the kitchen. Painted cabinetry in layered shades of blue brings personality, while durable materials—like vegan leather counter stools—support everyday use. Just beyond, a banquette tucked into a boxed bay window provides a casual dining moment with water views. Another nod to the exterior comes in the nearby sitting room—nicknamed the “marsh room”—with its natural wood beams and shades of sea green and sky blue.

In the dining room, color appears through dramatic artwork and architectural detail, with its adjoining custom bar finished in azure lacquer. “The husband really wanted a bar that could be closed when not in use,” notes Dewberry. The dining space’s gleaming white-lacquer ceilings carry into the living room where built-ins showcase the same color as the bar, while softer shades of blue elsewhere ground the space in livable elegance.

Whimsy threads through the guest spaces, with a willow-print wallpaper in the powder room and a charming bunkroom that comfortably serves adults as much as children. The adjacent bathroom’s shared trough sink winks to summer camp memories.

The primary suite offers a serene retreat, anchored by soft blue upholstery and expansive views. In the bathroom, marble floors and a shell-inspired chandelier turn daily routines into something special. It’s a moment that underscores the home’s broader approach to design—elevated spaces that support how the family lives. As Dewberry says, “When you walk in, you immediately feel the warmth and happiness of our clients reflected in the interiors.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Heather Dewberry, Huff-Dewberry, Inc., (404) 355-7600; huffdewberry.com ARCHITECT Josh Youngner, Youngner Architecture, (912) 230-2832; youngnerad.com BUILDER Matthew McHale, Ramsey McHale, (404) 495.0708; ramseymchale.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Sea Island Landscape

Heather Dewberry, Huff-Dewberry Inc., Josh Youngner, Matthew McHale, Ramsey McHale, Sea Island Landscape, Youngner Architecture