Hot pink and turquoise may not seem like an obvious palette for a relaxing vacation home but it’s perfect for this joyfully vibrant Port O’Connor gem. Designed by Raquel Skrobarczyk of Heather Scott Home & Design with architecture by Ryan Street Architects, the coastal home melds bold color, weather-proof finishes and family-friendly design. “Our longtime clients, Kristie and Matt Dennis, wanted the home to have an inviting and memorable feel with punchy interiors that fit the playful nature of the summer beach locale,” Skrobarczyk says.
The designer, who worked with the couple years ago on their Westlake, Austin, abode, was happy to help the couple and their three young daughters forge a relaxing retreat along the Texas coast. Built from the ground up over a three-year period, Skrobarczyk was involved in all of the construction details, from choosing the flooring to plumbing fixtures to countertops. “We were retained early in the process to define the room layouts, plus many of the interior architectural details,” she recalls. Furthermore, because the couple have young children, durability was crucial. For example, in lieu of traditional wood plank floors, she chose a luxury vinyl plank throughout, while Crypton®, a highly durable, stain-resistant and antimicrobial textile was the fabric of choice.
The palette, which is perfect for the cheery family of five, was initially inspired by two pieces — the gorgeous Anne Sacks® backsplash tile in the kitchen and the speckled Rebecca Atwood living room pillows. “She especially has a bubbly personality and loves bright energetic colors,” remarks the designer. Thus, shades of turquoise to reference the water, as well as varying pink and coral felt like the perfect pairing. “It’s a woman and three daughters, so we felt like we could go more feminine in some areas, but overall wanted it be fresh, clean and happy with some unexpected things,” she adds.
The mainly all-white kitchen is elevated through the unique hand-painted glass mosaic tile running from countertop height to the ceiling. And as it’s a beach house, she went for woven pendants from Arhaus® and bar stools covered in woven nylon, choices to invite contrast and elicit a casual feel. The painted island adds another dash of color.
The living room, which lies directly off the kitchen, also has a neutral scheme featuring the Rebecca Atwood pillows, plus Crypton-covered sofas, oyster shell mirrors flanking the fireplace and a Slim Aarons photo. “That photo is one the wife’s favorite pieces,” she says. “She knew she wanted a Slim Aarons’ piece, and it fits the style and aesthetic perfectly.” The room is comfortable, sophisticated, coastal and yet still highly family-friendly.
While the main living spaces are neutral in tonality with bright colors added through accessories, the laundry room, mud room, three bathrooms and the children’s bunkroom are full of color, and elevate the project beyond a typical beach home to a memorable escape. The laundry room and mud room, which are adjacent to the kitchen, both have a vibrant blue palette and finish-outs that were specifically chosen as they are high-traffic areas. The laundry room, which is painted a robin egg’s blue, has a shimmery small-scale tile and sophisticated pendant light for an unexpected touch of glam. “If you’re going to be doing laundry at the beach, you might as well make it fabulous,” says Skrobarczyk. The mud room includes plenty of storage cubbies for the family, including vertical storage for swim gear, fishing gear and golf clubs.
When it came to the girl’s bunkroom, a fun and colorful take was the obvious choice. Skrobarczyk chose the white latticed beds — a simple, coastal pick that would work as the girls age — and juxtaposed the white bedding with pops of pink and turquoise, colors that the children got to pick out themselves. Compact storage, brass pulls and sconces, as well as a rosy circular rug allow for plenty of play time.
For the master, the couple chose a very feminine palette. “She knew she wanted bright pink from the beginning, so everything else was toned down,” she says. A white Crypton headboard, wood-toned nightstands and textured, earthy decor complete the look, while the master bathroom is awash in similar hues, natural stone and a cozy blush runner.
While it’s clear that every room has been designed with much attention to detail, Skrobarczyk enjoyed picking wallpapers for the bunkroom bathroom, guest bath and powder bath the most. In the girl’s bathroom, wall-to-wall blue and pink paper complement the blue penny tile and brass sconces, while in the guest bathroom, green cabinetry and a palm leaf print allow guests to be fully immersed in vacation mode. On the first floor, the designer went all out creating the pink-and-black powder bath as a jewel box moment with a black vanity and oversized sconces.
Overall, the functional and stylish home captures the spirit of the Texas coast and the family’s personalities, plus has finish-outs that will hold up to years of wear and tear, sand and sea water.
Heather Scott Home & Design
512-342-6899 | heatherscotthome.com