Text: Margaret Zainey Roux
Photos: Kerry Kirk

A young family grows up and grows out of their home but yearns to stay where their roots are planted. It is a familiar story and one that hit close to home, quite literally, for the homeowners. The couple and their children had been experiencing growing pains when the house directly next door to theirs hit the market. Although it was dark, dated, and choppy, it was a larger house on a larger lot, so they bought it, stripped it down to the pilings, and embarked on a seven-year journey to their forever home.

5. Loren Shabot Adds Nautical Nuance to Galveston Bay Bungalow

4. Loren Shabot Adds Nautical Nuance to Galveston Bay Bungalow

3. Loren Shabot Adds Nautical Nuance to Galveston Bay Bungalow

2. Loren Shabot Adds Nautical Nuance to Galveston Bay Bungalow

1. Loren Shabot Adds Nautical Nuance to Galveston Bay Bungalow

“My clients knew they’d be there for the long haul, so they took their time to thoughtfully weigh their options and make informed decisions,” says interior designer Loren Shabot, who collaborated with architect Sam Gianukos on the project. “They wanted a floor plan that was fluid and flexible so that it could evolve as their family moved through the different stages of life. On the other hand, they sought a very classic design that would not only endure the test of time but also grow old gracefully.”

According to Shabot, the three-story raised bungalow is best described as “Lowcountry Meets British Colonial.” On the exterior, towering windows and French doors, louvered shutters, deep porches, and a cupola recall the architectural vernacular of the homeowners’ native state of South Carolina. Inside, handcrafted arches, casings, crown molding, and shiplap build character in formerly generic rooms. Natural stone and reclaimed Chicago brick coupled with custom wood-clad windows, doors, floors, and cabinets replace what was once a hodgepodge of contractor-grade materials.

A crisp palette of blue and white nods to the home’s waterfront location on Galveston Bay. Solid wood furniture made of pine, walnut, and oak strengthen the indoor connection along with cane, jute, and rattan. Linen, cotton, and leather are among other organic textures woven throughout the interior. For the seating, sofas and chairs offer casual comfort thanks to their generous scale but feel modern and fresh in their streamlined silhouettes. Upholstery and rugs made in high-performance fabrics and all-weather fibers are made to withstand wet swimsuits, sandy feet, and all the joys associated with an active, alfresco lifestyle.

For the final layers, Shabot worked hand in hand with her clients to source bespoke lighting, art, and accessories that stay true to the home’s identity, splashed with some European flair. A vintage hotel sign from London, an antique Irish chest, and a Louis Philippe–style French mirror are among the found objects that inject a little quirk into the décor and prompt a lot of conversation.

“In the design world, the words ‘curated’ and ‘collected’ are often used to describe a look,” Shabot explains. “In this house, it’s more authentic than aesthetic—the pieces really are collected with much of the décor procured through local galleries and online markets like Chairish and some during the homeowners’ travels. We did buy a few pieces at big-box stores, but we customized them so that they feel one of a kind. We wanted nothing to feel predictable and everything to feel special in its own way.”

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