LET NATURE LEAD

Designer Phoebe Howard crafts an entirely new island aesthetic for a family’s Caribbean home, complete with warm neutrals and loads of organic textures

- JESSICA THUSTON,NOE DEWITT

You could say that Phoebe Howard wrote the book on coastal style. A celebrated interior designer based in Jacksonville, Florida, she is also the owner of several home stores, designs a furniture line for Sherrill Furniture, and is the author of several books, including the newly released The Waterfront House: Living with Style on the Coast (Abrams, $55). We caught up with her to glean the secrets to her fresh and elegant take on island interiors.

Tell me about this project and the home’s stunning location.

PH: This is a renovation of an existing house on a Caribbean island that was very dated, but it had high, vaulted wood ceilings throughout—in the typical island style—and a good layout.

The primary suite is a mix of solid neutral tones, except for the Indian block print on the bedding. Howard introduced texture with a wood bed, shell art, and capiz chandelier.

So it was basically just a cosmetic renovation, but we touched every square inch. I’ve done several projects with these clients before. They love the islands, and they wanted something very quiet.

The daybed and armchair cushions are covered in Bali Hai by China Seas, which adds a dose of pattern to the pale tones in the living room.

They have a big family and lots of friends visiting, so they needed it to be comfortable when it was just the two of them but also able to accommodate larger crowds as the house filled up. Almost every single room faces the water, and they all have incredible views.