LET THERE BE LIGHT
By Maria Masters; Photography by Brie Williams
This article appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Triangle and Charlotte editions.
Designer Teri Thomas adds whimsical, nautical flare to a once-muted vacation home.
The Charlotte-based couple had been on the hunt for a beach retreat for some time when the right opportunity finally surfaced on Figure Eight Island. The oceanfront setting, panoramic views, and generous footprint made it ideal for hosting children and grandchildren alike. Yet while the bones were right, the interiors called for a refresh—one that would better support multigenerational living and introduce a more spirited use of color into an otherwise neutral backdrop.
For help, the homeowners turned to Raleigh-based architectural designer Mark Batson of Tongue & Groove Design + Build and designer Teri Thomas, who had helped them with previous projects. Everyone agreed that the home’s existing architectural style—in this case, decidedly modern—should drive the interiors. And with its clean lines, open floor plan, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the home was particularly suited to its location, allowing for plenty of natural light and sweeping views of the ocean. “You go to the beach for the view,” says the homeowner, “and, boy, is the view extraordinary.”
The home already had a reverse floor plan, with the main living spaces on the top floor, but Batson made a few small changes to the existing footprint. The owner’s bathroom, for example, was enlarged to make space for a spa-like wet room, and the kitchen layout was adjusted to improve the flow, function, and storage. “Rather than a full overhaul, the focus was on thoughtful, intentional changes that respected the original home,” says Batson.
Inside, Thomas took decor inspiration from the natural landscape, creating a color palette of soft neutrals and bold blues. “I wanted the outside to be reflected in the interiors,” she says. “I wanted the feeling of being on the beach.” To that end, Thomas installed a teak countertop on the kitchen island and marble blue tile in the owner’s bathroom. She also incorporated pieces with a hint of nautical to them, like captain’s mate-style swivel bar stools in the kitchen and an alligator painting by Charlotte-based artist Sarah Helser in the hallway. “I wanted the furnishings to be interesting and unique, but not distracting,” says Thomas.
She reimagined the bedrooms on the second floor to be more accommodating for visiting children and grandchildren. In the first bedroom, she removed the existing cabinetry from one of the walls and tucked a pair of bunk beds into the recessed space; this was separated from the main room by a folding door. “That way, if a family is sleeping there, you have a few extra beds, but if a couple is staying in the room, you can close the door and make it an adults-only space,” says Thomas.
While the modern home was a departure from their usual aesthetic, the homeowners embraced it from the beginning—and with time, have only grown to like it more. Even now, the house feels new and exciting, a welcome place for their family to vacation year-round. “There’s nothing about it I would change,” says the homeowner.