For some homeowners, designing a custom home means being involved in every selection and decision. For others, the process is about finding a designer they trust and giving them the freedom to develop the vision.
That was the approach for this coastal home in Grayton Beach, Florida, designed by Twin Construction designer Laurie Fulkerson. The homeowners took a more hands-off approach to the interior design, trusting Laurie to bring her vision to life. That freedom allowed her to create a home with a relaxed coastal palette, durable materials, and plenty of personality in the details.
A Kitchen With Coastal Color
The kitchen establishes the home’s coastal palette through a combination of white cabinetry, blue tile, and natural-looking materials.
The cabinets are painted in a soft white that brings brightness into the room without making it feel overly stark. Paired with a glass herringbone backsplash in blue tones, the kitchen has a layered look that feels appropriate for a coastal home while still feeling fresh and current.
The quartz countertops provide a practical counterpoint to the more decorative elements. Durable and easy to maintain, quartz is a natural choice for a home where everyday living and coastal conditions need to be considered.
At the center of the kitchen, a functional island provides another important work surface and gathering area. Rather than treating the island as purely decorative, the design makes it an integral part of how the kitchen functions.
The combination of painted cabinetry, patterned tile, quartz, and coastal-inspired colors gives the kitchen plenty of visual interest while keeping the overall palette cohesive.
Designing for a Coastal Climate
For a coastal home, material selection goes beyond appearance. Humidity, moisture, sand, and everyday wear all need to be considered when choosing finishes.
Throughout this home, waterproof flooring was used to provide durability and peace of mind. The flooring can stand up to the demands of a coastal environment while providing a consistent foundation throughout the house.
That kind of practical decision is an important part of Laurie’s design approach. The materials need to look good, but they also need to work for the way the home will actually be lived in.
A Bedroom With a Bold Detail
While much of the home uses a soft coastal palette, Laurie incorporated moments of stronger color to keep the interiors from feeling predictable.
The bedroom features a custom headboard covered in a modern fabric. The unexpected pattern adds personality to the room and gives the otherwise relaxed palette a distinctive focal point.
A custom headboard also provides an opportunity to bring upholstery and texture into the bedroom, creating a softer and more layered space. The fabric makes the piece stand out while adding a playful element to the overall design.
It is a good example of how a single design choice can change the character of a room. Instead of relying on an abundance of decorative elements, the custom headboard gives the bedroom one strong point of interest.
A Primary Bath With Layered Neutrals
The primary bathroom takes a quieter approach to color while creating interest through the combination of materials.
Beige tones establish a warm, neutral foundation, while limestone herringbone tile introduces a pattern without adding strong color. The herringbone creates texture and movement across the space while maintaining the calm feeling of the room.
Large-format black marble tile adds contrast and gives the bathroom a more substantial visual element. The combination of lighter limestone and darker marble keeps the room from feeling flat while maintaining a relatively restrained palette.
Polished nickel plumbing fixtures add another layer of detail. The finish complements the neutral materials and brings a subtle brightness to the space.
Together, the materials create a bathroom that feels polished without being overly formal. The contrast between the limestone, black marble, and polished nickel gives the room its character.
Trusting the Design Process
One of the defining elements of this project was the relationship between the homeowners and Laurie. Rather than directing every selection, the homeowners trusted her to develop the interior design and make decisions that supported the overall vision for the home.
That kind of trust can create a different design process. Instead of working through every possibility with the homeowners, Laurie was able to make selections with the larger picture in mind, creating connections between rooms through color, material, and finish.
For Laurie, the opportunity to design a home with homeowners who trusted her vision allowed her to approach the interiors with confidence. The finished spaces demonstrate how a clear design direction, paired with the right materials and a little willingness to use color, can create a coastal home that feels both comfortable and distinctive. Ready to explore your next design project? We’d love to hear from you!
