DESIGN TIP Choose furniture designed for outdoor living. The white sofa and chairs are beachy and pretty but if they aren’t made from washable or outdoor fabrics, they can actually be quite hard to clean. The design team chose slipcovered pieces made for the outdoors, so not only are they more resistant to dirt, but they can also be easily washed. This advice also relates to accessories: Be sure to include items that can hold up to humidity, salt, and sun.
 

When Stock & Trade Design Company took on the design of a 30A seaside haven, their coastal approach was really quite simple. In fact, the overall design wasn’t too different than it would be anywhere else. “We weren’t trying to bring the beach to Stock & Trade, ” says gallery manager Christopher Rankin. “We took Stock & Trade to the beach.” Instead of modifying their style to tackle the design of the 2, 800-square-foot home, the shop’s designers created the beach look by making it all about the details, layering on coastal products with their existing product line. “Our look is already very serene with a soft palette, clean lines, and textures, ” adds lead designer Barbara Williams. “We just had to install our look and add coastal accessories.”

The front door is the main entrance into the house, so the design team wanted to keep the entryway clean and decluttered. To do so, they installed a bench—which is slipcovered so it can easily be cleaned—and added some hooks to hold bags and beach towels. “The entry will always set the tone for the first impression of the house, so it needs to stay organized, ” says Barbara. “We also went with a cowhide rug, which has a sophisticated look—yet by its nature is very friendly as far as wear and tear.”

In the main living spaces, the design team brought in their favorite upholstered linen furniture. “These are pieces we would use anywhere, ” Christopher notes. All of the pieces maintain a neutral palette in shades of white, cream, and sand. Textiles in the bedrooms, including the custom headboards, continue with soft shades of white, grays, and blues. 

Keeping with the understated elegant feel, much of the wooden furniture is also light in color, such as the reclaimed cypress parquet tabletop in the dining room and the wood-topped coffee table. “It was important for us to have either reclaimed or parquet pieces throughout the house because they are organic, natural elements, ” says lead designer Chris Magidson. “These pieces add warmth to a space.”

With core pieces in place, the design team carefully layered on the accessories such as driftwood and all sorts of seashells, including a shadow box in the guest room showcasing preserved urchins. Artwork, both abstract and more classically-inspired pieces, was also kept to coastal colors. “It reflects the area but it’s all very clean, ” says Chris. “And just like with the furniture, most of the accessories are pieces you wouldn’t have a problem putting in a residence that wasn’t coastal. You just probably wouldn’t do them in the quantity we did.”

In the end, the appeal of the house shines through with its refined-yet-comfortable design that reflects its coastal surroundings. Says Christopher, “One of the best things about the home is that we could remove everything that’s remotely coastal and it would still be beautiful.”

DESIGN TIP When the living and dining rooms are essentially one large space, furniture selection is crucial. Select fabrics that are similar yet slightly different in color—such as the neutral linen sofa and dining room chairs—and make sure everything in the center of the room has a slightly lower profile to keep the space open and airy.
 

DESIGN TIP The decisions of furniture placement and size can make or break a room when space is at a minimum. Here, a round dining table maximizes space while creating as much seating as possible.“These rooms are very linear and the kitchen has a large rectangular island, so the round table also softens that a bit, ” says Chris. 
 

DESIGN TIP The primary focus in a bedroom should be the bed—it’s the “wow piece, ” explains Christopher. A custom 7-foot linen slipcovered headboard adds instant drama and fits the scale of the room’s taller-than-average ceiling.
 

DESIGN TIP Bedrooms and bathrooms are a great place to include nods to the beach, such as framed seashells or abstract artwork in soft coastal colors.
 

“Keeping it simple is the mantra in a beach home, especially when the space is not very big. All of the square footage needs to be functional.” — Lead Designer Barbara Williams
 

SAME GREAT STYLE, ADDITIONAL LOCATION
Stock & Trade Design Company, the Birmingham-based homes store, is currently building a 50, 000-square-foot showroom in Santa Rosa Beach that is set to open later this year. Until then, they are already managing a temporary location in Destin. Although it’s in a seaside location, the new store will still feature the sought-after style for which Stock & Trade is well known. 

Temporary Showroom Location: 11111 Hwy. 98 West,  Destin, FL,  850.460.8990 stockandtrade.com

RESOURCES
Interiors: Stock & Trade Design Company • 3048 Independence Dr, Homewood, AL,  205.783.1350 Architect: Tyler R. Doin • Panama City Beach, FL,  850.231.9066 [email protected] Builder: Wes Limbach, Limbach Development, Inc. • Santa Rosa Beach, FL,  850.585.3336 [email protected] 

TEXT BY Paige Townley • PHOTOS BY JEAN ALLSOPP • STYLING BY LYNN NESMITH

ABOVE The home’s white stucco exterior conforms to Alys Beach’s design scheme.
 

“I want to walk in, say ‘ahhhhh…, ’ and feel my blood pressure drop, ” Barbara Ashford says of her new Alys Beach vacation house. With its sublime sense of escape, Alys Beach, a planned community along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A from developers Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), wants all its residents and visitors to feel the same way. Its Bermuda-style architecture and courtyard-centered homes—all finished in dreamy white stucco—create intimate streetscapes that seem to transport you to another time and place, reminding Barbara and husband Leon of family vacations in St. Barts. “We used to go with two other families and take all the kids. We did that for years, ” she says. “That’s where I got my inspiration—all those great family trips with our friends.”

To help Barbara and Leon capture that breezy island vernacular, the couple turned to architect Gary Justiss, a regular contributor to 30A’s new urbanist developments. “They were looking for a simple, classic home, and my work tends toward simplicity, ” Gary says. The couple also asked for what might seem like contrasting ideas: an intimate getaway and a place that would welcome their entire family. 

ABOVE A styled bookcase displays groupings with a definite coastal theme.

To give the Ashfords the best of both worlds—a one-bedroom vacation home for just the two of them, as well as room for family and an abundance of open-air spaces for lounging, dining, playing, and cooking—Gary designed a 2, 600-square-foot structure with an additional 1, 000 square feet of open-air terraces, loggias, and courtyard. The main level of the home includes a great room with living, dining, and cooking zones, and a master suite. Inspired by the Ashfords’ Caribbean travels, Gary added an exterior staircase just inside the open-air entry to take the three grown Ashford children upstairs to guest suites—one for each—and a nook of built-in bunks for the Ashfords’ four grandsons. “The outdoor staircase totally gives the second floor the feeling of a separate house, ” Gary says, noting that it is heated and cooled separately from the first floor. “And it gives Barbara and Leon a one-bedroom home on the main level when they are here alone.”

On both levels, the new home is bathed in white, much like the community itself. Barbara, co-owner of Henhouse Antiques in Birmingham’s English Village, used her expert eye for design to choose a soft white for the walls, and she slipcovered her furnishings in white Sunbrella fabric. “It is the most practical thing, ” she says, adding that four grandkids and white upholstery doesn’t sound like a good idea. “But if they spill something, I don’t flip out. I just throw the cover in the wash with bleach.” 

The white hues also set a beautiful stage for antique pieces that pepper the property, providing visual texture and interest in each room. “I believe that even the most modern space needs one or two wonderful old pieces to give it a soul, ” Barbara says. “Antiques create warmth. You don’t need a whole house full, but a few pieces keep a house from feeling sterile.”

The Ashfords’ beach house is far from cold or sterile—more like a breath of fresh air. “To me it is tranquil, soft, soothing, and peaceful, ” Barbara says of her interiors. “This is our place to escape and get away from it all—a refuge. And a place to make wonderful memories with our family, much like those vacations to St. Barts. We can’t take everyone there, but we get that same wonderful feeling here. And it is much easier to get to!”

ABOVE LEFT Instead of hanging a traditional chandelier over the dining table, Barbara chose an oversize lantern from Portugal.
 

ABOVE Because of the open plan, architect Gary Justiss created two kitchen spaces—a show kitchen that is a part of the great room, and what he calls “the scullery, ” a pantry space tucked behind. “When you have a kitchen that is such a part of the living area, it has an aesthetic duty to be attractive. This design minimizes any mess, ” Gary says.
 

ABOVE LEFT The pairing of white with wood details continues in this bath.

ABOVE RIGHT In the master bedroom, the straight edges of the tester bed contrast detailed carvings of waves on the bench. 
 

ABOVE “Antiques can make rooms from catalog-order stores look like a million dollars. I love contemporary and modern pieces, but mix them with one old piece and it makes a big difference.” — homeowner/designer Barbara Ashford
 

ABOVE RIGHT Built as part of Barbara and Leon Ashford’s home at Alys Beach, this concrete banquette piles on the comfort with plenty of pillows. “That is one of the brilliant things about Alys Beach. It is as close to hurricane bunkers as you can reasonably get, but it looks really elegant, ” says architect Gary Justiss.
 

Embracing Alys Beach

The Ashfords were drawn to Florida’s new urbanist mecca, Scenic Highway 30A, when their children were small. After decades of vacations, they were smitten enough to make their vacation place permanent.

A WORLD AWAY “The first thing I noticed was how beautiful it is—the architecture and all the white, ” explains Barbara. “It doesn’t feel like Florida. It has a European feel like Greece or the Mediterranean or St. Barts.” 

INSIDE OUT Houses in Alys Beach are built to their property lines, with no space—save the 16 inches of concrete wall—between them. Rather than front porches or backyards, each house has a walled courtyard as private alfresco space. “The idea of zero lot lines is very counterintuitive, ” architect Gary Justiss says. “You might think it would result in a loss of privacy, but it is the exact opposite. You create truly private outdoor space.” 

DIVE IN “The Caliza pool at Alys is pretty special. I can see it from my window, ” Barbara says. “Alys is still in an early stage of development so it just has a few things right now but the pool is amazing!” Gary adds, “The Ashfords are an easy
walk to the amphitheater, town center, George’s Restaurant, and the beach.” 

RESOURCES
Interior design: Barbara Ashford, Henhouse Antiques • 205.918.0505 henhouseantiques.com Architect: Gary Justiss • garyjustiss.com Builder: Alys Beach Construction alysbeach.com/real-estate/construction Community: Alys Beach, FL, 866.732.1760 alysbeach.com

TEXT BY Lacey Howard • PHOTOs BY JEAN ALLSOPP • Styling by Lynn Nesmith

ABOVE A soothing custom-mixed blue covers the walls while the poster bed sets a casual cottage tone. Featured in “The Grown-Up House, ” Sept/Oct 2015. 
 

ABOVE LEFT For a punch of color, designer Virginia Volman likes to paint the ceilings an accent color. Bold patterned pillows and colorful art pop against the clean white bedding. Featured in “Finder's Keepers, ” May/June 2015. 

ABOVE RIGHT A rug from Paige Albright Orientals makes a statement in the orange foyer. The wallpaper is Thibaut—on the splurge side—but since it was used in a little room, the cost was practical. Featured in “Spirited Style, ” January/February 2014. 
 

ABOVE To create a dramatic mood, Beth painted the bedroom These bedroom walls (painted Sherwin Williams 6005 Folkstone) create a dramatic mood. Sunny yellow accents on the headboard, chair and artwork add contrast to the dark hue. Organic textures such as the sheepskin rug and rattan basket add softness. Featured in “House & Garden, ” Jan/Feb 2016. 
 

ABOVE LEFT AG Designs chose to make a strong statement in this formal living room with a navy lacquer wall covering. The red secretary provides the perfect pop of color against the navy walls. Featured in “Modern Makeover, ” Jan/Feb 2015. Photo by Sarah Arrington

ABOVE RIGHT White accents such as the duvet and end tables offer a quiet spot among a kaleidoscope of color. Featured in “Sunny Delight, ” Jan/Feb 2016. Photo by Emily Followill
 

ABOVE Lavender upholstered furniture makes a statement in this library with his and her bookcases. Featured in “On the Flip Side, ” May/June 2013.
 

ABOVE LEFT This bedroom’s red, white, and blue palette brings in the Americana style of the Hamptons with a nod to Morocco in the bed design and fabric. Wall color: Benjamin Moore ‘Americana.' Featured in “On Holiday, ” March/April 2016. 

ABOVE RIGHT Gray walls and furniture provide a neutral backdrop for bold artwork and accessories. Featured in “Inspiring Spaces, ” May/June 2014. 
 

ABOVE Bold cabinets,  a pre-finished choice from Twin Construction’s Classic Cabinets By Design dubbed “Mount Etna, ” give this kitchen a French café look. Featured in “Family Adventure, ” May/June 2015. 
 

ABOVE LEFT Designer Laurl Self transforms a cool white condo with bright artwork and accessories to fill the space with color and personality. Featured in “Custom Color, ” Jan/Feb 2014.

ABOVE RIGHT The drama of black walls perfectly balances the bright, bold pillows and a painting by artist Bill Yeager. Featured in “Color Theory, ” Jan/Feb 2012.
 

Photography by Jean Allsopp

Ware Porter believes in happy rooms. He decorates with a sense that the serious should be paired with the whimsical and that stuffy is most definitely passé. In his former Forest Park Colonial, that message speaks in spades while also giving a nod to some of Ware’s favorite vacation locations in the U.S. and abroad.

“I had a vision of a Hamptons cottage in the middle of Forest Park. I was doing a project up there at the time, so I was inspired by that Americana feel. I wanted red, white, and blue, ” explains Ware. “But I was also working with clients on the Amalfi Coast, so the saturated blues of the Mediterranean were an influence as well.” 

Ware’s deft handling of color sings throughout the interiors, beginning with the foyer. Vintage black Baker chairs and a large-scale lantern offer a casual introduction to the home. A zebra rug takes center stage, adding an exotic touch.

In the living room, rich cobalt-velvet club chairs cozy up to a traditional pleated pouf. Ware likes taking something classic and shaking it up a little with fabrics and finishes. In the same vein, the designer scattered leopard- and Ikat-print pillows on the more traditional muted turquoise sofa. 

The Hamptons vibe spills into the master bedroom, which is anything but quiet. A vivid blue—Benjamin Moore’s ‘Americana’—wraps the room, and the same bold hue extends to the pillow fabric and throw. The shade is a perfect backdrop for the red-and-white upholstered headboard and bedskirt in a distinctive Peter Dunham print. 

Although the home contains some impressive 17th- and 18th-century antiques, the rooms remain welcoming and, quite frankly, fun. In fact, friends enjoyed Ware’s home so much that they dubbed it the “clubhouse”—a place where every guest felt like a member. “I love to entertain. I wanted my home to be where everyone felt comfortable enough to dance on the furniture if they desired, ” Ware says. 

The dining room, where Ware held numerous dinner parties, is the one space that takes a more understated approach to color. “I want the personality of my guests to be the center of attention, not the décor, ” he says. An 18th-century console with blue undertones is topped with a gold mirror and surrounded by antique Haviland china. Subtle contrast is seen in the palm tree mural, painted in a tone-on-tone color against gray walls and inspired by Lyford Cay in the Bahamas—another of Ware’s favorite destinations. It’s just one more example of a happy place in this decidedly happy home.

RESOURCES
Interior designer: Ware Porter,  Ware & Co. • 2718 Cahaba Rd. 205.874.9800 waremporter.com Foyer: zebra rug: Paige Albright Orientals • 205.877.3232 paigealbrightorientals.com Dining room: palm tree mural: Jan Roberts • 205.902.3644; Living room: ginger jars: Ware & Co.