“I drew a circle with a 200-mile radius around our home in Thomasville, Georgia. Anywhere with water would do– a river, lake, or ocean. We weren’t looking for extravagance, just something that was down-to-earth and easy to handle,” states Haile McCollum who matured cruising in the Northeast. Her husband, Ben, a Thomasville native, had spent summertimes checking out household buddies in St. Teresa, Florida, and the couple was looking for a spot where their boys, Parker and William, might have comparable life-on-the-water experiences. “Close proximity was the dealmaker. We wished to be able to leave our house on Friday afternoons in time to catch the sunset.”

Seacrhing For Paradise

Just under 2 hours from Thomasville, St. Teresa was ideal. St. Teresa still clings to an Old Florida lifestyle where everybody has a love for the natural world, shared fishing piers, and a gratitude for utter simplicity.

” We examined the real estate listings weekly, but absolutely nothing was ever there,” states Haile. She remembers, “Ben called and said, “Haile, I found a home.

Before: The Exterior

It was a mess– dark and overcome with years of being forgotten. It required a huge effort, but when I walked down our slim beach path and stood at the Gulf, I knew we needed to be here.”

After: It Only Takes Vision

Both old-house enthusiasts, Haile and Ben succumbed to the history of “Why Knot,” the 1939 home developed and nicknamed by its original (and only other) owners, the Hannon household. “Some people stated it was a teardown, however to us, it just needed vision,” states Haile, who turned to her “white paint technique” as the cure-all. Your house was painted Benjamin Moore’s Super White (OC-152) inside and out. The patio ceiling was painted in Embelished Blue (SW 6747) by Sherwin Williams. The only other paint color in the house is the screen door which was painted in Benjamin Moore’s Oceanfront (660 ). “We did just what was absolutely required,” she says. The majority of the furnishings originated from storage. The tile was purchased Lowe’s. The back patio’s farm sink once belonged in the McCollums’ Thomasville home.

Now, when I provide our next-door neighbors a tour through the home, everyone has an old tale to share. We’re certainly keeping that relaxed and joyful spirit alive,” she says.

Haile maxed out the home’s 2,200 square feet. The very first floor includes the guest space, kitchen, den, and living space. The main bedroom, bunk room, and a bath are upstairs. The front and back patios are evaluated to stay out the area’s infamous bugs.

Before: The Porch
While it seemed frustrating, we understood this area had a lot potential. The couple understood this would be the place where they took in the views and slowed down.

After: Make Things Feel Right At Home
” The rattan furniture is from my mom’s collection of ‘great stuff.’ I redid the cushions in a Sunbrella fabric, so we’re not dragging them in and out of the weather condition,” says Haile. “The antique tarpon mount is a classic Old Florida relic and talks to our great tarpon fishing off St. Teresa– a poorly concealed these days.”

After: Enjoy Meals Fish-Camp Style

” Dinner depends on what we capture or what remains in the regional seafood markets that day,” states Haile. To optimize space, this dining area is the only one in the home. In bad weather, the family consumes in the entranceway around a round table with chairs pulled from the den.

After: Keep Things Handy (and Free).
On the evaluated back deck, Haile hung a sign saved from the Hannon family, painted with the name of the house “Why Knot,” over a cast-iron sink that she salvaged from her own 1850s home in Thomasville. “It’s terrific for whatever from cleaning fish to deveining shrimp to filling pet bowls,” states Haile.

Before: The Entry.
Dark, gloomy, and in need of a lot of TLC. Like the entire home, the couple was delighted for the challenge.

After: Include (a Few) Beachy Touches.
” We got rid of the stairwell spindles and changed them with hearty Manila rope,” says Haile. “I was leery of going excessively nautical, however to my surprise, it included a spirited texture to your house.”.

After: Add Collected Items.
Positioning a bar cabinet in the entranceway taken full advantage of area and developed instant visual interest. “This spindled cabinet from Dunes and Duchess is a brand-new piece I purchased– the young boys and I provided it to Ben for Father’s Day one year,” states Haile. The vintage map is a nod to Haile’s collector’s eye, while interesting liquor bottles, straw hats, beach totes, and shells include individual touches.

After: Make Furniture Multitask.
” Many new items we bought stretch the space,” states Haile. These large-scale white couches end up being twin beds when guests show up. For everyday use, Haile covers the seat cushions in striped Serena & Lily towels that can be removed and washed after an untidy weekend brought on by kids, dogs, sand, and red wine.

Before: The Kitchen.
This room would take some imagination and innovation. The couple understood the kitchen ought to be intense, airy, and functional.

After: Charm With The Basics.
Haile desired the cooking area to have an approachable spirit like the rest of the home. “The flooring is blue schoolhouse linoleum.

After: Design With A Purpose.
When creating a location for relaxation, locations to check out, nap, and reflect are vital. Haile says, “The rate at the beach is sluggish, however we intentionally invite slow things into our time here. We enjoy motion pictures together and play a lot of backgammon– no cable television at the beach!” The den is a terrific example of a high-low design mix– the sofa is Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, rattan chairs are Serena & Lily, the lamps are from Target and the trunk is from Haile’s sister-in-law’s home and gift store, Firefly in Thomasville.

Before: Guest Bedroom.
The couple knew that in order to invite family and friends, this room required to be warm and welcoming. Lots of work had to be done to brighten it up.

After: Sleep A Crowd.
” Choosing twin beds for a visitor space is the only method to go. They accommodate any vibrant– my kids’ buddies, work colleagues– conveniently,” states Haile.

After: Try Something New.
Haile integrated colors and textures she has always enjoyed however never fit in her traditional Thomasville home. Haile says, “I like the color blue and I kept adding it in. I enjoyed her work and Gulf Coast roots and desired her art to have a location in the home,” says, Haile.

Before: Bunk Room.
A bleak place that had great deals of capacity. Before making any choices, it was important for the couple to consider how they would spend time in this home and what would work for their way of life.

After: Make Space For The Boys.
Haile encourages her children to bring pals along, but carefully developed the space to accommodate when those last-minute requests come in. Our house is suggested to be inviting, so we have loads of additional blankets in the closet for a reason,” says Haile.

After: Enjoy The View.
Residents still gather to fish off “Hannon’s Dock” (revealed here), named after the home’s original owners.