Designer Liz Williams thought a pair of shutters would make the columns between the living and dining rooms seem less formal. As luck would have it, homeowner Carol Moore stumbled upon the perfect pair at a flea market—not only the right size, but even the ideal shade of soothing blue.
Casually slipcovered seating gathers around a one-of-a-kind coffee table in the living room. The unique piece, which Williams found at South of Market, is well suited to the kind of heavy-duty use that invariably comes with beach house living.
A kitchen pass-through provides a place to grab a snack or quick meal. Even nearby artwork takes a laid-back approach; a pair of old frames from 14th Street Antiques displays rocks collected by the owners.
In the dining room, wicker chairs from Mainly Baskets have an open weave that keeps the look light and airy. At the same time, their dark chocolate hue, repeated on the custom drum shade above, lends dramatic impact.
The colors of beach glass are prevalent throughout this home.
These homeowners can kick back and enjoy breathtaking scenery from the comfort of their own balcony.
This sunny spot, made even more so by a pair of yellow-and-white striped chairs designed by Bobby McAlpine for Lee, provides a cozy, comfy breakfast area.
Because the Moores’ grandchildren visit frequently, multiple guest rooms are a must. This one, outfitted with twin beds, is stunning thanks in part to its symmetry and simplicity.
A pine hutch from the Moores’ house in Atlanta easily made the transition to this guest room, where it displays a few pieces of treasured Majolica and part of Carol’s ironstone collection.
Lime green and crisp white team up in this retreat to create a refreshing feeling—from the bedding to the window treatment and right on up to the ceiling.
Carol and Clay Moore have had a long-time love affair with Florida’s Amelia Island. For them, it’s more than a convenient beach getaway; they’re entranced by the change of seasons and the quaint town of Fernandina, not to mention the beautiful coastline and big waves (Clay’s a body surfer). Over the years, the Moores found themselves spending an increasing amount of time on the island. So, once their children were grown and gone, they downsized in Atlanta and upsized at the beach, purchasing a three-bedroom condominium there.
The condo was fully furnished when they bought it, but the orange-tinted wood floors, dark walls and pink-and-turquoise scheme didn’t exactly fit the new owners’ idea of a beach retreat. Plus, the décor was quite formal, right down to the heavy silk draperies. “We started over from scratch and intentionally kept accessories to a minimum,” Carol explains. “I wanted simple—very, very simple.”
To help with the makeover, Carol looked to interior designer Liz Williams, whom the Moores have collaborated with in the past on four different homes in Atlanta and Amelia Island.
“We both knew it was time to go with a color palette that was different from the buttery-beige colors I’ve used in the past,” says Carol.
The main goal was to create an instantly relaxing space that reflected the natural serenity of the ocean. As it turned out, a pillow fabric was the unexpected source of inspiration; its soothing blues and greens proved the perfect complement for the freshly painted whitish-gray walls.
In search of a certain few pieces for the new place, Carol’s passion for shopping had her scouring shops and flea markets. “Nine times out of 10 Liz would find a place for whatever I found,” says the homeowner. “She is amazing; everything came together perfectly.”
That said, Carol also believes Lady Luck played a role in the decorating process. “Anytime we said ‘we need this or that,’ it seemed to show up. When we were looking for old farm tools, I happened to find some at a flea market. And the same thing happened when we were looking for shutters.”
Looking at the finished product, it’s no wonder the Moores now spend more time on the island than in Atlanta. “It is such a peaceful place. When you walk in you can’t help but relax,” notes Carol. And isn’t that the point?
Liz Williams, Liz Williams Interiors, (404) 816-9868