Photograph by Patrick Heagney
A Greek-inspired villa just outside Mexico Beach, Florida, is a peaceful city escape shared by Atlanta-area residents Marta and Brandon Lewis and Donna and Richard Cook. Their boutique neighborhood emerged after Hurricane Michael made landfall and cleared the area in 2018. A developer restored the dunes and regraded the entire zone to make certain that lots would be insurable and above the flood line as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers. The home became the third house in the development, named Sugar Sand. With architect Roger DeWeese and interior designer Jeremy Jones overseeing its design, the home became “a footprint for what the neighborhood was expected to look like,” says Richard.
Photograph by Patrick Heagney
Photograph by Patrick Heagney
Because the coast—with its wind-driven rain, tropical storms, humidity, and salty air—can be an unforgiving environment for building materials, and because the area serves as a habitat for some wildlife, Roger used stucco for the home’s exterior and designed a lighting plan considerate of turtle nesting seasons. He also embraced a light and beachy palette to meet the aesthetic guidelines set forth by the neighborhood’s architectural review committee. Overall, the development spans a mixture of styles, including Mediterranean, Moorish, and Spanish Colonial influences.
Jeremy, whose background is in five-star luxury resorts, translated his hotel expertise into making the interior contemporary and relaxing. “True luxury is being delighted at every turn. You don’t have to think of anything, right? The closets have four different types of hangers. The beds are made with luxury linens and pillows of varying firmness. Every bedroom is stocked with the clients’ preferred brands of detergents, toilet paper, and coffee,” he says.
Photograph by Patrick Heagney
Photograph by Patrick Heagney
Constructed largely during the pandemic, the project encountered supply chain and logistical challenges. “It took us 17 months to get our windows,” says Richard. Jeremy adds, “We had to drive south to collect things from the post office in Port St. Joe (like Amazon packages) since our address didn’t yet exist for the postal system.”
For these second homebuyers, the area offers unmatched sanctuary and tranquility. “I think Mexico Beach—the Eastern part of the Florida panhandle—is going to be the next [popular] destination, as it’s private and uncrowded, unlike Scenic Highway 30A,” Richard says, referring to the nearby area where many exclusive developments have made property values skyrocket.
Photograph by Patrick Heagney
Brandon agrees. “This place is a hidden gem. It has the beauty of locations like Alys Beach and Seaside without the overcrowding and congestion. It’s the best of all worlds and is truly our Shangri-La.”
RESOURCES | Architect Roger DeWeese, Peachtree Architects | Interior design Jeremy Jones, Jones Design Associates | Builder White Oak Signature Homes | Kitchen Cabinetry: Emerald Cabinets. Counter stools: Diamond Banana Weave Counter Height Stool, Houzz. Backsplash tiles: Sterling Row Lin Chesterfield, Walker Zanger. Roman shade fabric: Belgian Linen Gray 3232, Libeco. Wall paint: “Repose Gray,” Sherwin-Williams. Faucet: Artesso Bridge Faucet, Brizo. Range, hood, and dishwashers: Thermador. Countertops: MSI Calacatta Laza Quartz, MSI. | Family Room Wall Paint: “Repose Gray,” Sherwin-Williams. Coffee table: Harlow Small Coffee Table Bluestone, Four Hands. Sectional: Custom Dakota Sectional, Bernhardt. Area rug: Mardin, Surya. | Outdoor living area Barstools: Malaga Bar Chair Natural, Houzz. Outdoor chaise: Skyler Collection (white), American Casual Living. Outdoor stucco paint: “Extra White,” Sherwin-Williams | Primary bathroom Sconces: Lena Two Light Wall Sconce, Black Forged, Crystorama. Hardware: Tempered Collection, Kohler. Mirrors: Renwil. Shower tile: Marmol Statuario Porcelain, Specialty Tile.
This article appears in our Fall 2024 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.
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