Marsh Views and Inspired Design Beg a Vacation in This Sea Island Escape

A curving iron staircase and terracotta tile from Renaissance Tile & Bath greets guests in the stair hall.

Black lanterns by Lights of Tuscany dramatically accent the entryway gallery’s repeated arches and smooth plastered walls.

The gateway to the outdoors, the grand salon is the perfect space to showcase the home’s arched detailings and wooden beams.

When it comes to entertaining, the custom dining table from Holland MacRae easily seats 10 people. A flamingo-inspired canvas holds court over the antique buffet from William Word Fine Antiques.

A Stark rug adds to the neutral backdrop that allows the marsh views to remain the centerpiece. Coral pillows wrapped in fabric by George Spencer Designs add a touch of vibrance.

The bar stands out with Milazzo Deco patterned tile which emphasizes the archway bookended with Snake Sconces by Paul Ferrante.

In the family room, a Deco tile from Renaissance Tile & Bath frames the fireplace, while a wool-and-sisal striped rug from Locust Lane Rugs anchors the same. Coastal artwork by Lola Josey holds court over the fireplace.

The oversize kitchen island by Unique Building Supplies is perfect for entertaining. Black pendants by The Urban Electric Co. call to the iron details in the home.

The formal powder room is an eye-catching beauty with blue-and-white Ancient Cordova tile and a custom steel vanity base by Sea Island Forge.

The breakfast room clutches a duo of black-and-white patterned art pieces designed with sharks’ teeth that the owner had collected over time, which Decker had framed with Caroline Budd’s Picture Framing.

The scullery offers an out-of-sight work-prep area that stuns with its beautiful leaded glass and steel window, dark cabinets by Unique Building Supplies, and tile from Walker Zanger.

The primary bath is a vision in neutrals, with an intricate Modica Deco tile backsplash that emphasizes the arched vanity space.

Thanks to the black Alondra Chandelier from Made Goods, the primary bath calls for relaxation with a punch of style. The doorway leads to an outdoor shower.

The primary bedroom boasts a coastal yet lavish style with a canopy San Remo Bed by S&L Designs, with Mark Alexander fabric repeated on the drapery, pillows, and bench.

Guests will love the marsh views in the tranquil, dream coastal bedroom.

A sea of blue dots a guest bedroom with Fabricut drapery and a blue-and-white, star-patterned fabric by Schumacher that wraps accent pillows and the bed bench. A striped rug from Stark Carpet adds further dimension.

The pool bath flaunts patterned Villa Lagoon tile and handsome blue cabinetry by Unique Building Supplies.

The large porch extends the length of the family room and offers a place to gather for an alfresco meal at the table by Made Goods, with a coordinating console nearby.

This guest room dressed in green hues features double beds for the kids, yet still flaunts sophisticated elements like the Kravet drapes and Schumacher fabrics on the pillows and bench.

The home’s backyard space exudes peace and serenity, as it grandly overlooks the marsh.

Fronting the marsh of Georgia’s famed coastal destination Sea Island, a newly built Mediterranean-style home is a case study in artful architecture and high-style design—and is now a covetable retreat for an Atlanta couple and their extended family. Architect Josh Youngner, who worked off a schematic design by original architect Thomas Thaddeus Truett, and interior designer Courtney Decker created a home that highlights the incredible marsh views and grand architectural gestures in nearly every room. “They wanted a relaxed, comfortable space where they could entertain friends and their large, extended family,” says Decker, who established abundant entertaining spaces, dashed communal rooms with performance fabrics, and sprinkled guest bedrooms with fun patterns and coastal hues.

While newly constructed by builder Van Waters, the character-rich, brick home with a two-piece barrel roof feels as if it’s always been there. “The vision from the beginning was to paint the brick, and we gave it just the right opaque sheen to make it look older,” says Youngner, adding that they used a heavy mud set barrel tile on the roof for an authentic look and even boosted tiles to mimic past repairs.

The entryway gallery begs a long pause: Crisp plastered walls point attention to a groin vault ceiling with arches on repeat, and light-washed patterned terracotta floors defy the traditional orange palette. “We wanted a clean and open feeling, so when you walk in, you notice the vault ceiling and the spectacular views of the marsh,” says Decker. Youngner fashioned the striking iron-rail staircase, which he says took numerous mock-ups to accomplish the curved corner that vanishes into a straight edge.

But it’s the staircase’s patterned tile risers that deliver a foretaste of the home’s biggest design stars: “It’s the tile work, that’s where much of the design started,” reveals Decker. “The patterned tiles throughout the home add unexpected punches, yet they’re elegant.” Standouts include a colorful star-dotted tile that wraps the formal powder room and a Deco-style tile—located in the arched bar niche—that further enhances the space’s architectural intrigue.

The salon encompasses an expansive dining and living space, which Decker fitted with a large dining table suitable for 10 and plenty of conversation seating for guests to socialize while gazing at the marsh. Though, it’s tempting to stare at details such as stained wooden beams and black iron chandeliers that offer interesting contrast to the white, smoothly plastered fireplace.

Decker dotes on the blended kitchen, breakfast room, and family room, where a stunning matte black French range and an off-black kitchen island add sophistication and stark contrast to the light cabinetry. The high-design scullery serves as an overflow kitchen and makes entertaining a breeze.

And with expansive outdoor areas, including a porch and pool set against a scenic marsh backdrop, the gracious home reminds why Sea Island remains a prized place to live and play. 

INTERIOR DESIGNER Courtney Decker, Courtney Giles Interiors, (404) 791-3404; courtneygiles.com ARCHITECT Josh Youngner, Josh G. Youngner Architect, (912) 771-5281; youngnerad.com BUILDER Van Waters, The Van Waters Company, (912) 222-2021; thevanwaterscompany.com ORIGINAL ARCHITECT Thomas Thaddeus Truett Architect, (912) 634-0222; tttarch.com