Like many visitors to Amelia Island, Sam and Jan Walls were at a conference at the Omni Amelia Island Resort when they fell in love with Amelia Island, both agreeing that it would be a great place to retire. Instead of waiting for retirement, the couple moved to Amelia Island in April 2019. While enjoying a bike ride with a friend, Jan was captivated by the Southern charm, gorgeous trees, and beautiful natural surroundings of Crane Island and imagined owning a home in the community.
The Walls purchased one of the last building sites facing Alice Park, a community park with stately oaks, paths, sitting areas, and a view of the Amelia River. The house’s exterior is a traditional low-country design in keeping with Crane Island’s character. The interior design is a successful contrast that reflects the couple’s more contemporary lifestyle and tastes.
Knowing exactly what she wanted, Jan opted to do the interior design work herself. She managed to create a very different look in the home’s interior. The couple leans toward a modern style, but without a stark, hard-edged look. Jan worked closely with Lake & Land Architects out of Mississippi. Working with their renderings, Jen was able to see her ideas become a reality.
The main living area is a warm, welcoming space with a very modern look. White oak beams in the vaulted living room ceiling contrast with some darker, earthy colors in the furnishings and fireplace wall. Throughout the interior of the home, a wide variety of textures and warm colors are combined in the wall and floor treatments.
Jan points to her three sons, all talented potters, for inspiration. The colors and textures of their original pottery inspired her: “Much of our home design is featured after my three sons’ pottery. Our home’s colors, fabrics and tiles were chosen around the materials’ ability to feature their artwork.”
Many of the furnishings are from Restoration Hardware. Their designs and colors met Jan’s vision, and she found them very easy to work with. Unique light fixtures act as design elements as well as sources of lighting throughout the house. One striking fixture was selected by Sam and hangs over the round dining table.
The kitchen blends into one end of the large main living area. Jen chose JennAir appliances and particularly likes the black interior of the refrigerator. She added additional storage under the generous-sized island. While looking for lighting, Jen fell in love with the fixture that hangs over the island and designed the rest of the kitchen around it. A butler’s pantry off the kitchen adds additional storage and a place to work.
The wine bar adjoining the dining area features a dramatic wall treatment of strips of natural white oak. A dramatic light fixture cascades down the hanging stairway to the second floor. The main living area on the second floor features a pool table and memorabilia from Sam’s motorcycle and car collecting hobby. Additional bedrooms and an art studio complete the second floor.
A mudroom design of storage lockers leads out to a large porch area with a squared spool (pool and spa). The far side of the spool has a dramatic wall with a fire element across the top, and cascading water spilling through the wall into the spool. A screened porch extends from the main house to the carriage house, creating a spacious entertainment area which includes a large dining table (seats 12), outdoor kitchen, and cozy fireplace sitting area.
The carriage house/garage area was designed to accommodate Sam’s interest in cars. The upstairs area of the carriage house offers an ensuite guest space. The furnishings have a different, more casual feel. Soft beachy colors and interesting furniture choices blend with art pieces from the couple’s collected art on their travels.
The first-floor master bedroom and bath are in dark complimentary colors. The dark, beamed ceiling adds an interesting design element. A variety of tiles, wallpaper, and striking light fixtures add interest.
The Halls are still finishing up their home on Crane Island and are loving their island life. They credit the architect, builder Steve Pickett of Pickett Construction, and Pickett team members Devon Lendry and Katie Sahrphillips for the dramatic final result: Southern charm goes modern.