Beauty in nature can set the scene for beauty in design. Interior designer Sara Crooks remembers working on a special home in Jones where this was definitely the case. It was a new construction project, and the tree-laden lot sat beside a peaceful pond. The area’s woods and water were the stars, so Crooks—along with architect Brent Gibson and builder John Matteson—constructed a home to complement the landscape, rather than compete with it.
“Brent did an amazing job figuring out how to situate the house in a way that embraced the view, and then John and his team executed really well in this very detailed house,” Crooks said.
The homeowners have a Southern background, and Crooks’ designs include subtle Southern touches to accommodate their personalities and lifestyle preferences.
“The homeowners are very warm, casual and gracious people, so we wanted the house to feel that way, with a little bit of a Southern spirit running through it,” she said. “Hospitality was kind of ingrained in the way they grew up, being from the South—that coupled with the fact that the house that they lived in prior to this house was always the place where everybody ended up. When they decided that it was time for them to put down roots here and build, a big part of that was continuing to extend this hospitality.”
The kitchen provides ample space to host and hang out, while a soapstone island and backsplash, unlacquered finishes and white oak show appreciation for nature. In addition, two primary porches, each with amazing views, are well appointed for year-round enjoyment.
Crooks said she wanted to create a feeling for the client, rather than a particular look. So, she layered materials and colors that would feel most like home to them.
“We pulled in colors that felt familiar, [inspired by] the water, the marsh grasses and the softer blues and greens of the landscape there in South Carolina, and then we also wanted to mix in things that felt a little more fresh or unexpected,” said Crooks, adding that she layered in the homeowners’ antiques, procured from family and travels.
Since the homeowners love to entertain (and do so often), Crooks also incorporated durable fabrics and finishes. She didn’t want any room to be “too precious” for regular, everyday use.
The formal dining room feels extra inviting and approachable. Chartreuse chairs provide a “jolt of energy” as you walk in, said Crooks, while verdigris finished sconces and a natural fiber rug provide interesting layers. The dining room doesn’t have the same views as seen on the back of the home, so a Susan Harter hand-painted mural wallpaper stands in for a forested scene.
“It’s atmospheric; it’s a quiet backdrop, but it kind of supports everything else happening,” said Crooks. “It’s the kind of room—and this really encapsulates the whole project—where you can sit with paper plates and feel totally great about it, or you can set the table for a formal Thanksgiving dinner with the whole family.”
