Comfort on the Coast

In the living room, a sofa is strategically positioned to take full advantage of the breathtaking Gulf view while, opposite it, a backless version of the seating piece keeps the vista clear. Heron charcoal artwork from Sandler Hudson Gallery. The view from the living room is completely unobstructed, looking toward the zero-edge pool and the ocean beyond. Thanks to giant sliding glass doors that pocket into the walls, “There’s no visual boundary between the living room and the Gulf of Mexico,” Summerour notes.

In designing the kitchen, designer Jackye Lanham carefully considered materials. “I wanted to be sure that, if someone was in the [adjoining] living room, they were looking back at a pretty space,” she explains. To that end, the breakfast table is surrounded by sinuous wicker armchairs and illuminated by a smart-looking custom fixture. Even wall cabinets are detailed with a delicate lattice.

Because rooms throughout the house were large, it was Lanham’s challenge to make them cozy and inviting. But with her keen eye for design, she used the generous dimensions to her advantage. In this guest room, for instance, a full-size sofa at the foot of the bed provides the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or watch TV.

The architecture of this residence is a study in contrasts, perhaps nowhere more apparent than on the rooftop terrace. ‘It’s very much a shade and shadow study,” says project manager Rayn Duffey. “If we didn’t have simple coloration, the effect would be lost.”

In the living room, a sofa is strategically positioned to take full advantage of the breathtaking Gulf view while, opposite it, a backless version of the seating piece keeps the vista clear. Heron charcoal artwork from Sandler Hudson Gallery. The view from the living room is completely unobstructed, looking toward the zero-edge pool and the ocean beyond. Thanks to giant sliding glass doors that pocket into the walls, “There’s no visual boundary between the living room and the Gulf of Mexico,” Summerour notes.

One of the most defining details of this architectural gem is that the entire building gets narrower as it goes up. “The effect is called entasis, and it’s pleasing to the eye,” architect Keith Summerour explains. “Those subtle things are very important. If we were to have drawn straight lines, the building would seem heavy. This way, the overall effect is subtle elegance.”

“The first lines that Keith put on paper truly got the attention of the owner,” recalls Duffey. “The original drawing was not dramatically different from the result; it stayed fairly pure.”And that’s not so coincidental, notes Summerour. “If you can maintain that first inspirational moment, you get a powerful project.”

The project afforded a prime opportunity: Tucked between Highway 30-A and the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida beachfront property was a blank canvas for Summerour & Associates Architects, Inc.

Because the site was in Seagrove Beach, the architects didn’t have to comply with the two-story limit required by neighboring Seaside. “That gave us an opportunity to create a vertical design,” says Keith Summerour. But project manager Ryan Duffey goes a step further. “It set the stage for us to be rebels,” he says, tongue in cheek.

The white structure, its color inspired by the surrounding sand, is divided into two distinct concepts: The two-story garage/guest house on the “street” side somewhat disguises the fact that there’s a four-story building facing the beach.

“The first impression is rich, warm timberframing that cantilevers over the garden and feels part of streetscape,” says Duffey. In contrast, the interior is light, bright and spacious. “There’s a ‘spine’ that goes through the house,” he adds. “As soon as you walk in door, there’s a continuous spiral [staircase] that goes all the way to the roof deck. There are very few doors in the house, allowing a great flow of space. And we designed in black and white; that’s why it’s so sculptural.”

But the architectural beauty of this beachfront residence is matched by its interior design—thanks in large part to the fact that designer Jackye Lanham was on the design team from the start.

“The architecture of the house is very strong, and we wanted our interiors to complement the thoughtfulness and careful details that the Summerour team had created, so we blended our approach to theirs,” says the designer. “Our goal was to keep it simple, natural and organic. Everything was about feeling cool, even when you are hot.”

Fresh-as-a-breeze interiors accomplish precisely that. “The color of the water is gorgeous so we wanted to keep the interiors simple,” Lanham explains. “The San Marco Italian plaster walls are all white, as are the major furnishings, and the rest of the palette is pale blue-gray, blue-green and cream.” What’s more, perfectly appointed textures and materials—from the wicker chairs in the kitchen to custom wrought iron chandeliers throughout—are right at home in this oceanfront residence.

Still, there’s more to this residence than its superb aesthetic appeal; the designer also knew the house had to be family friendly. Custom sofas in the living room, for instance, are decked out in a durable indoor/outdoor linen. “There’s nothing too involved,” Lanham says. “It’s a barefoot-type house, where you don’t have to worry about things getting knocked over or broken.”

Given the sense of calm this place conveys, who could have a worry in the world?

ARCHITECTURE Summerour & Associates Architects, 409 Bishop St., Atlanta 30318. (404) 603-8585; summerour.net
INTERIOR DESIGN Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs Inc., 472 East Paces Ferry Rd. NE, Atlanta 30305. (404) 364-0472; jackyelanham.com
BUILDER Christian Tennant, 10952 E. Hwy. 30-A, Suite A, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413. (850) 231-9502; ctcustomhomes.com