Creating a Coastal Haven

A bright, modern two-story coastal haven with light gray siding and white trim, featuring numerous large windows with shutters. A paved walkway leads to a wooden front door, flanked by trimmed bushes and palm trees. An arched entryway provides shade on the porch.

The Pattersons Blend Florida Charm with Hamptons Elegance and Tennessee Heritage

A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and a wooden floor. Three pendant lights hang above the island, which features a sink. This coastal haven is well-lit with natural light streaming through a window in the back.

A covered patio in this coastal haven features four wicker armchairs with cushions arranged around a small table. The patio overlooks sand dunes and the ocean, framed by an arched opening with columns. Clear blue sky and calm sea can be seen in the background.

When Gayley and Bob Patterson built their second home in the WaterSound Bridges community, they leaned heavily on the first home for inspiration. “Our goal was to create a Florida Coastal home with a Hamptons vibe and a Tennessee accent,” says Gayley Patterson. “We wanted to reference the forty years we spent in Tennessee since much of our art and antiques were acquired during that time.” She notes that the majority of their art is from their time in Tennessee, or is by Florida artists they have collected over several decades. Their eclectic collection includes paintings by Charles Brindley, a handcrafted bench by woodworker Greg Pennington, a taxicab sculpture by Red Grooms, and drawings by Alan LeQuire, all Tennesseans. Other art in the collection has been acquired more recently from Florida artists including Brent Smith.

The new home contains 3,632 square feet of heated and cooled space, with 2,192 square feet of non-conditioned space for a total of 5,824 square feet. A portion of that is a covered porch over the two-car garage, which could be converted to a carriage house or fifth bedroom. The kitchen is truly the heart of the home and the center of much of the action. Gayley notes that she has always had two dishwashers, and this home is no exception. “Having a dishwasher on either side of the sink helps to reduce congestion in the kitchen,” she says. “We located the wine refrigerator to the bar down the hall, which definitely reduces traffic. The bar also has a beverage refrigerator with an icemaker, and wine glasses and other glassware are also stored at the bar. There is a working pantry with an eye-level microwave so we don’t have to bend over to use it. It has a lower-level oven with an adjacent counter, and additional space for using small appliances, keeping all this out of the main kitchen,” she notes. In addition, the Pattersons incorporated an outdoor kitchen that connects the house to the spacious party porch over the double garage. The space includes a built-in grill, a beverage refrigerator, a fireplace, and recessed heaters for year-round use.

A wooden bench with a brown cushioned pillow rests against a wall with horizontal paneling, evoking a coastal haven. Above the bench, a framed painting of a large tree hangs. The floor is hardwood, and the setting has a cozy, rustic feel.

A minimalist bathroom evokes a coastal haven, featuring a central white freestanding bathtub under a serene landscape painting. Two wooden sconces with white shades are mounted on either side of the artwork, providing soft lighting. The room is framed with white cabinetry on both sides.

A bright, spacious hallway evokes a coastal haven with its white-paneled walls, wooden staircase adorned with white railings, and a wooden chest of drawers topped with decorative items. Several windows invite natural light to fill the space, while a framed picture adds a charming touch.

A cozy coastal haven featuring a white bed with neutral-toned pillows, flanked by two wooden nightstands each holding a white lamp. The room has light-colored shiplap walls and a high, sloped ceiling with a ceiling fan. The floor is made of polished wood.

A white wooden door with glass panels is framed by a small porch with white railings, evoking the charm of a coastal haven. Two copper lanterns are mounted on either side of the door. The porch has white shingled siding and an arch detail above the door. Trees and a house are visible through the door's glass. — A white wooden door with glass panels is framed by a small porch with white railings, evoking the charm of a coastal haven. Two copper lanterns are mounted on either side of the door. The porch has white shingled siding and an arch detail above the door. Trees and a house are visible through the door’s glass.

A bright, airy room with light-colored wood flooring and white walls. This coastal haven opens up to a small porch with a grill, visible through an arched doorway. Furniture includes a wicker chair and a side table with a lamp and flowers. Large windows allow natural light in.

The furnishings throughout the home reflect the couple’s family histories and their reverence for things of the past. Much of the furniture is natural wood with an aged patina, and many items were made or collected by members of their families. “The settee next to my desk began its life as a three-quarter and was converted to a cushioned bench. The pine chest and the walnut dresser in the primary bedroom were made by Bob’s father. Bob actually made the floating desk and the credenza in the downstairs office. Our walnut dining table with its distinctive stepped-column bases was commissioned from the New Orleans workshop of Doorman Designs” Gayley notes.

Glasswork throughout the home, including the chandelier in the barrel-vaulted entry, reflects the couple’s appreciation of handcrafted art. It features over a hundred porcelain ginkgo leaves, each positioned and attached by hand. Nashville artist Carrie McGee created the hanging sculpture of colored blocks to the right of Gayley’s desk. Tennessean Olen Bryant did the wood carving displayed in a niche in the central hallway. The party porch showcases a piece of walnut that was rescued after many years in a Tennessee river and then married to a marble base. “This is just a portion of our collection, which has taken shape over many years,” notes Bob Patterson. “Many of our smaller pieces were acquired during our travels, and they reflect our own tastes and interests. Our collection is frequently described as ‘eclectic,’ but it is full of things that have stories and meaning unique to us.” The wallpaper in Bob’s office is a stylized map of the Galapagos Islands, which the Pattersons visited with their children when they were in their early teens.

A cozy living room with wicker furniture and light gray cushions evokes a coastal haven. The room features a brick fireplace below a mounted flat-screen TV, and large windows bring in ample natural light. A white side table with a lamp and decorative items sits in the foreground, completing the serene space.

A narrow, well-lit kitchen hallway, reminiscent of a coastal haven, featuring a sink with wooden cabinets above and below. The countertop has some decor items including a plant and glasses. The white-painted walls complement the framed picture above the sink. Natural light flows in from a door at the far end.

A spacious patio with cushioned seating and a table overlooks a scenic coastal haven of sand dunes and water. The area is covered by a high-arched ceiling and features a dining table with chairs in the background, against a clear blue sky.

Bright and airy open-concept living room with high vaulted ceilings and white walls. This coastal haven features a comfortable beige sofa with patterned pillows, a blue armchair, and a wooden coffee table. The room is filled with natural light from large windows.

A spacious open-concept living area features light blue upholstered furniture, a wooden coffee table, and high ceilings with chandeliers. The adjoining kitchen has white cabinetry and a marble countertop. Large windows and hardwood floors enhance the airy feel of this coastal haven.

A luxurious living room with large glass doors opening to a balcony, offering a stunning view of the ocean and clouds. This coastal haven features blue armchairs, a wooden coffee table with decor, and a beige sofa adorned with patterned pillows. There's a cozy fireplace to the left. — A luxurious living room with large glass doors opening to a balcony, offering a stunning view of the ocean and clouds. This coastal haven features blue armchairs, a wooden coffee table with decor, and a beige sofa adorned with patterned pillows. There’s a cozy fireplace to the left.

The outdoor spaces reflect the couple’s tastes and interests as much as the indoors. The Pattersons elected not to have a pool, but they do enjoy the WaterSound beaches and the boardwalks that wend their way through an incredibly beautiful and protected natural dune system. Gayley Patterson noted that their landscaping is mostly finished, but is a work in progress and still evolving.

The Pattersons worked with many contractors, vendors, tradesmen, and designers during the design and construction of this unique home. Joseph Dougherty of Dougherty Architecture + Design worked seamlessly with the Pattersons to realize their vision and to develop a shared understanding of their mission. His firm encourages a seamless connection between the design and the production process. Nashville interior designer JoAnne Haynes, a personal friend of the Pattersons, was integral to the project. Holly Covington of Hollywood Boards and Beams in Atlanta sourced the wood, hand-picked the boards, and followed them from mill to delivery. New View Windows and Doors of Santa Rosa Beach provided and installed the custom windows and doors for the home. Courtney Larimer Lighting, Etc. selected the attractive and appropriately sized lighting fixtures. Horton Brasses provided solid brass knobs and pulls for the kitchen, bar, and desk. Will Tiller, owner of Borges Brooks Builders, served as General Contractor, with Greg Latour as project manager.

A bright white coastal haven with shingle siding, arched doorways, and wooden double doors. The path leading to the entrance is surrounded by green plants and palm trees. Windows with shutters and a balcony are visible on the second floor. The sky is clear and sunny.

A bright and airy coastal haven, this living room has large glass doors offering a scenic ocean view. It features blue armchairs, a beige sofa, a wooden coffee table adorned with decor, and framed art on white walls. A cozy fireplace is visible on the left side.

A bright and airy bedroom, like a coastal haven, with a white bed centered against a wall. The room features wooden floors, a white plank ceiling, two bedside tables with lamps, two framed pictures, an armchair by a large window with beige curtains, and a door to the left.

A modern white interior ceiling with a unique, sculptural light fixture resembling branches with leaves in gold and white evokes the essence of a coastal haven. Recessed lighting is integrated into the ceiling, and a large, triangular architectural element adds visual interest below the fixture.

ACCOLADES

New View Windows & Doors
850-231-1689
newviewwindows.com

Hollywood Boards & Beams
770-722-2660
hollywoodboardsandbeams.com

Dougherty Architecture Design
850-598-9881

Creating a Coastal Haven

Sabe Fink

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The Pattersons Blend Florida Charm with Hamptons Elegance and Tennessee Heritage

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We Saw Results After Our First Ad Placement!

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