Text: Tiffany Adams
Photography: Erica George Dines

It only took one 20-minute visit to this South Carolina property for Nicole Lynch and her husband, William, to sign a contract with the realtor. “It’s a magical place,” Lynch says, noting their family’s love of the outdoors and fishing. The couple were taken with this house specifically due to its location at the tip of a point in Sea Pines Resort, offering a sweeping view of the marsh. “From the dock, you can see all the activity with the fishermen going out and the ferry coming in,” she says.

7. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

6. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

5. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

4. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

3. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

2. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

1. Amy Morris Highlights The Magic of the Marsh

Positioned on Lawton Creek, the couple purchased the house in 2019 and christened it Lawton Landing. The spacious five-bedroom property, which includes a guesthouse, had been renovated through the years by its previous owners; however, it needed a refresh to match the Lynches’ style and be more reflective its surroundings. They called on Atlanta-based designer Amy Morris to refine and personalize the interior for their family of five.

“Amy has a very high get it factor,” Lynch says. “Whether it’s a home in the Low Country or Cashiers, she can do that style and make it look like the client. She knew nothing about this house could be cookie-cutter.” For this project, Morris paired Nicole’s love of antiques and expertly curated fabrics with subtle nods to the nautical setting through textures and accessories. “For me, it’s always about creating a look that fits my client. For example, you won’t see Swedish antiques in all my projects,” Morris says.

The vision starts at the front door where a painted cabinet and rope-framed mirror, both antiques, set the tone for what’s to come. “We wanted to find a standout piece and also introduce the home’s textures—the fibers, the sheers on the windows, and the coral—in the entry as a clue to what you can expect to see throughout,” Morris says. Blue hues also hint at the palette that flows from space to space.

Commissioned photographs of the property by Rob Brinson now serve as art in the living and dining rooms. Located just off the entry, the media room is draped in blackout panels that close to create a cozy viewing space. Antiques from the Lynches’ collection create a resting point in a vestibule leading to the primary suite. The entry hall is flanked by the media room and a paneled wall that features a curated mix of tortoise shells and local art.

Having vacationed in Sea Pines Resort where the home is located, Morris was familiar with the local aesthetic and played this up in the design. For example, a gallery wall in the entry is composed of works by local artists—many of which the designer searched for over the course of the yearlong makeover. Tortoise shells, oyster baskets, and other finds reminiscent of the area show up throughout the home as thoughtful accents.

Throughout the process, Morris was mindful of the couple’s three children, selecting durable options such as laminated chairs in the dining room while also incorporating whimsical pieces, as seen in the youngest daughter’s room where an antique chair pairs with a modern acrylic desk. With Nicole’s penchant for details, attention was given not only to fabric selection but also to fabrication, with pillows receiving button closures, bedding and drapery getting fanciful tie closures, and fringe appearing in a variety of executions. “Every detail was considered in this house, down to the trim on every pillow,” Morris says.

Not surprisingly, the Lynches wanted the house to be a place where they could host friends and family both indoors and outdoors. Echoing the vacation vibe, Lynch says they also took some risks in the design, noting the dining room wallpaper in particular. “It’s sort of a circus stripe, and I thought my husband might not go for it, but he loved it! Friends always remark that it feels like they are on a fun vacation when they come into this room, even though it’s a formal dining room,” she says. Outside, the retreat feel is most apparent on the dock that stretches out into the marsh. “We love to have cocktail hour there and will even bring a table out for dinner to enjoy the view,” Lynch says.

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