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Art on the Beach

Photography Katie CharlottePhotos 17Issue May 2023
Island Life: Debby and Steele Alphin built this Atlantic Avenue beach house in 2021 as a place to spend their golden years. The main floor is a self-contained living area for the couple, while the upstairs provides plenty of room for their two daughters to visit with their families. Architect Amanda Orr managed to squeeze in an artist studio for Debby, whose paintings are sold through Atlanta Artist Collective and Serena & Lily. Ample outdoor living spaces, including a pool, large lawn, and screened porch, allow for a connection to the neighboring maritime forest and ocean beyond.Debby and Steele Alphin.Natural Origins: Wood detailing on the ceiling helps delineate the dining room from the kitchen and living room. Hand-twisted lampakanai rope chairs and a large oak table from Palecek top a wool rug, adding organic interest to the clean space. A showpiece “Seychelles Coco” chandelier from Palecek, with its coral-inspired look, hints at the coastal setting.Bright Side: The kitchen features a large marble island, but Debby’s favorite feature is the butler’s pantry. Tucked behind the Lacanche range, the laundry/larder is flooded with light. A coffered ceiling in the living room continues the open-yet-separate feel of the downstairs. Deep blue sofas from the couple’s home in Asheville provide a pop of color against the walls painted in Benjamin Moore “White Dove.”Creative Space: With no room in the floor plan for Debby’s studio, the architect cleverly transformed an open area at the top of the stairs, outfitting the window nook with cabinets and a sink. A large closet behind a jib door provides storage for canvases and a rolling cart with all her supplies.Art on the BeachInto the Woods: Located on the main floor, the primary suite enjoys a lush view of the surrounding maritime forest, a fitting backdrop for the “Twig” iron bed by Formations that was originally in the couple’s mountain home. Designers Means & Carney softened the look with floral fabrics, including pretty blue drapes by Savannah Hayes.soaking it in: The en suite provides plenty of space thanks to a long, built-in vanity painted in “Repose Gray” by Sherwin Williams. A small nook to the right houses a soaking tub, in which their grandkids love to play.Pattern Play: The upstairs guest rooms are characterized by more floral fabrics and plenty of space to relax, including matching chaise lounge chairs, each covered in Perennials fabrics.The bold “Fan Palm” wallpaper by Sanderson in the powder room complements a creamy Restoration Hardware vanity and brass wall sconces by Visual Comfort.Orange Pop: Debby infused her own love of color into her grandchildren’s rooms. Thibaut’s blue “Denver” wallpaper in the boys’ room makes the orange Utility Canvas quilts and shams really pop.While the artist says she rarely buys art to fit a space, she will paint to fill a wall. “In the girls’ room, there was this blank space above the bunk bed, so I did these three small paintings—a donut, an ice cream cone, and a cupcake—to fill it.“Her Saltwater Roses adds color and personality to the entryway.Art on the BeachBlending in: The soft exterior palette was designed to mesh with the surrounding coastal landscape. From the light-colored NuCedar shingles and the tabby stucco to the Marvin clad windows in “Coconut Cream,” the overall look is subtle and sophisticated.A large screened porch extends the first floor for maximized indoor/outdoor living.

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Art on the Beach: An artist is drawn back to Sullivan’s Island to find space for her family and inspiration for a blossoming career
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