A Match Made in Pinterest: Our First Design Project as a Couple

Welcome to our little slice of heaven, better known as our newly finished guesthouse!

I feel like I have to start this off by saying that my husband James is a builder and owner of a construction company here in Charleston. Our house was a project that started longgg before me so I really can’t take any credit for his hard work, dedication, and vision for this entire property and what he’s made it. BUT I can absolutely take credit for everything else (jk!). This was ultimately our first design project together as a couple and it was honestly so much fun.

First things first - we had to decide on the overall style and feel of what we wanted to achieve. Luckily, this was the easiest part because we share similar tastes and knew exactly what we wanted - a space that felt clean, fresh, modern, and with a little touch of coastal flair since we live in one of the most beautiful places ever. James also has the added advantage of working with talented interior designers in the area, so he has an eye for the latest trends and aesthetic. As an interior design enthusiast myself, I already had multiple “future home” mood-boards created from spending countless hours browsing through Pinterest and Instagram. SO I’ve BEEN ready for this moment!

We chose white-oak floors all throughout, we just loved how they can add so much warmth and texture to any space. This flooring style is probably the most wanted in all of James’s recent projects because they complement a wide range of interior design styles. That’s also why we went with white-oak bathroom vanities too. Thanks to the exceptional craftsmanship of our cabinet artisan, Sean at Mack Designs, who brilliantly brought my Pinterest inspiration pictures to life, our cabinets have now become worthy of being sources of Pinterest inspo themselves.

When we started brainstorming ideas for the kitchen, we knew we wanted to depart from the light blue cabinets in our main house and pursue a fresh new direction. After much consideration and I do mean MUCH consideration, because there’s nothing harder than picking the perfect shade of white, lol. We opted for Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White, which proved to be a perfect match with brass fixtures to achieve that bright and airy feel. For the backsplash, we went with the timeless subway tile in a versatile chameleon green, which brought a refreshing pop of color to the space. One of the standout features of the kitchen is undoubtedly the island butcher block made from cross grain, which Mack Designs expertly crafted as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It’s such a unique element that truly enhances the kitchen’s overall aesthetic and functionality.

Onto the powder bathroom - a tiny space with lots of potential! My husband and I decided to take a bold approach by choosing black and white marble tile for the flooring. It wasn’t in our original plans, but we loved how it looked when paired with the baby blue shower tile we selected. To tie it all together, we eventually plan on wallpapering the remaining walls in black, which will bring a dramatic contrast. Now, moving on to the upstairs bathroom, we wanted to keep it simple, yet chic. We opted for cream linen tile with a white marble backsplash. The combination of the two created a clean and serene vibe, and I’m obsessed.

One of the things I loved most about this project was how James infused unique details throughout the guesthouse. With limited space, he made sure to maximize the potential of each room, resulting in a space that truly feels elevated. For instance, he added extra wood finishings on the entry wall in the shape of a diamond, which immediately catches your eye from the moment you step inside. In the living room, he built shelves that complement the fireplace, adding both practicality and charm to the space. Even the powder bathroom received a special touch with a built-in shelf nook next to the toilet, bringing personality to the room. He even went so far as to adding detail to the wall behind the farm doors, ensuring that even when closed, the doors don’t just reveal a blank wall. These small details may go unnoticed by some, but they’re the kind of touches that truly elevate a space and make it feel one-of-a-kind.

Thank you so much for reading about our little slice of heaven! I hope you enjoyed the design details we shared and perhaps even found some inspiration for your own home. If you have any questions or comments about our project, feel free to leave them below. I always love hearing from fellow interior design enthusiasts. Also, if you’re obsessed with interior design as I am, you might want to check out my brokers’ podcast, ‘Between Two Brokers.’ They recently had an episode where they dished out the latest trends in interior design for 2023, and it was super informative!