House Tour: Marshall Watson’s East Hampton Home

When Mom and I started Design Chic in 2010, we thought we were going to blog for one year. The major purpose of Design Chic was going to be to share things that we loved with each other. We certainly never expected anyone to actually read it or anything crazy like that. Nine years and several hundred thousand followers later we never in a million years could have imagined that we would have met so many incredible, talented, amazing people through this website.

One of our favorite people we’ve met in the last nine years? Hands-down, Marshall Watson, whose stunning East Hampton home we are touring today.

We have long been amazed by Marshall’s ability to shift from one style to another very different one with effortless ease, making each home uniquely suited to its owners, for years. Nowhere is that fact better evidenced than in his gorgeous book, The Art of Elegance. (If you don’t have it, treat yourself today! You’ll thank us!)

When Marshall and his husband Paul Sparks made the trek all the way to Beaufort, NC, where I live, to speak about The Art of Elegance, we recognized immediately that Marshall was as gracious and kind (and fun!) as we had thought.

Even still, we never could have imagined what happened next.

Marshall was incredibly instrumental in making me a part of East Hampton Authors Night a few weeks ago, and even more amazingly, he opened his home for the most idyllic dinner party you could imagine. A long table spread across Marshall and Paul’s porch, steps from their enviable garden with the cool late summer breeze coming off of Gardiner’s Bay, which sparkled just beyond.

And, if you think Marshall and Paul’s home is stunning in pictures, you should see it in real life. The couples’ finds are paired with beautiful pieces from Marshall’s own collection–like these intricately designed end tables and coffee table–to create a truly one-of-a-kind look that is supremely elegant.

Marshall never forgets about the ceiling, as is evidenced in almost every room of his home,

And unique, well thought out touches, like this antique chandelier that creates a candlelit wonderland, reflect the couple’s sentiments and style.

Lovely Delft tiles grace many of the rooms in the home, creating unity and a nod to the sea beyond the door.

Among the glamour, though, this house doesn’t ever take itself too seriously.

Lyrics of Marshall’s father’s favorite song, Blue Skies, add a meaningful and slightly whimsical element to the well-appointed chef’s kitchen.

Guests are treated like royalty in a truly lovely guest bedroom, complete with Swedish furnishings–

And luscious linens.

Even in the bathrooms, not a single detail is overlooked.

And in the gorgeous master, the view beyond the windows of idyllic Gardiner’s Bay is the most stunning focal point imaginable.

This is hands-down my favorite shot of our incredible evening, taken at the very end of the night. It makes me laugh every time I see it!

Marshall at the helm of the gorgeous table he created. Many of the flowers are from Marshall and Paul’s garden and the delicious meal–cooked by Marshall–was also largely grown in their own backyard. Amazing!

Mom and I having a blast!

Needless to say, we hope to return to East Hampton very soon. Marshall and Paul, thank you so much for opening your stunning home to us–and for sharing it with Design Chic readers today!

Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day! We always love seeing you here!

Five Days of Giveaways!

We’re celebrating Feels Like Falling with five days of giveaways! To enter ALL FIVE giveaways, simply:

PreorderFeels Like Falling from you favorite independent bookstore or online retailer.
Email me at [email protected]

You will be entered in ALL FIVE giveaways–and will receive upcoming freebies when they’re available such as deleted scenes from Feels Like Falling, exclusive interviews, fun printables, great recipes and more!

We’re Giving Away:

Tuesday, August 20: 1 Signed Copy of Happy Hand Lettering, the fabulous new book by one of my favorite NC gals, Maghon Taylor of All She Wrote Notes! *WINNER ANNOUNCED OVER ON INSTAGRAM @kristywharvey!
Wednesday, August 21: A pair of Sassie Rocks Beach Babiesbracelets for you and your BRF! (That’s your best reader friend.)
Thursday, August 22: One dozen gorgeously decorated, undeniably delicious cookies from Southern Sugar Bakery!
Friday, August 23: THE VERY FIRST advance copy of Feels Like Falling! (To be shipped on Sept. 20.)
Saturday, August 24: A signed pillow from Craig Conover of Southern Charm’s Sewing Down South Collection–from Beaufort Linen Co.‘s August 24th in-store event! (I’ll be there. Hope to see you!)

Click on each image Below to Learn More About the Product:

In Good Taste: Jenkins Interiors

Good morning, readers! We hope your Tuesday is off to a great start! I’m heading to Birmingham this morning for some fun meetings for my next novel, The Southern Side of Paradise, and I couldn’t be more excited to visit one of my favorite cities. (Plus, I got hubby some of those awesome noise-cancelling headphones for Christmas and I might or might not have snuck them into my suitcase…)

I’m a bit of a homebody, (which is kind of ironic since I travel for weeks at a time now!) so it was sort of shocking to me when, on my first trip to Mountain Brook, my favorite Birmingham suburb, I decided that I could really move there and be as happy as a clam. That’s saying something!

Finding new places to love is probably the best part of book tour–and I found out a few years ago that I’m a big fan of our our biggest state: Texas!

I am so, so thrilled to be taking my very first trip to Dallas–home of the beyond fabulous designers of Jenkins Interiors– this May.

If the rest of Dallas is anything like their gorgeous work, I think I’m in for a treat!

When we think of Texas, we think of making a statement, of doing something just a little bit out of the ordinary in the best possible way.

We think these designers excel at that very thing,

Creating calm and beautiful spaces that have a tiny element of the unexpected, like an exciting chair back,

A fun shaped stool,

Or a statement vanity.

Looking at the good taste of these Jenkins Interiors we think it might just be true that everything is bigger in Texas–especially the style!

Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day. We always love seeing you here!

Visit Our Newly Updated SHOP Today

Creating a Dream Home–Down to the Last Detail

What do you think of when you hear the term “dream home?”

For us, so many different things come to mind.

We could dream of a tiny farm cottage with a picket fence and trailing ivy…

Or a sprawling country estate with horses and plenty of room for beautiful gardens…

A quaint ski chalet…

Or a cedar shake New England home with plenty of room for visiting guests.

For us, a dream home could be anything, really, where we are surrounded by things we love–and people we love, of course.

No matter how you define “dream home,” we feel pretty sure that this qualifies as one.

The Fox Group. has created an enviable space with so many stunning details it would be impossible to pick a favorite–

And we would could look at these photos a thousand times and still find something new to delight and inspire.

From open shelving on a very luxe level,

To extraordinary hardware,

Marble as far as the eye can see,

To a workspace for everyone in the family,

Each perfectly orchestrated area of this family house makes it feel like home.

We think it would be nearly impossible to pick a favorite room, a favorite detail. But if we had to, we think the bathroom in this dream home might take the cake!

What is your idea of a dream home? Is is luxurious, modern and spacious like this or something a little simpler? We’d love to know!

We hope you had an amazing weekend and are so grateful that you stopped by Design Chic to spend a bit of your Monday with us. We always love it when you do!

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In Good Taste: Marshall Watson Interiors

Marshall Watson living room — Photographer: Werner Straube

Some designers contend that there should be an antique in every room.

Marshall Watson entrance hall — Photographer: Francesco Lagnese

For others, it’s a touch (or more!) of black, or a spot of red.

Marshall Watson bathroom — Photographer: Werner Straube

Others still, don’t have any rules at all, make the rules up as they go along, bend the rules to reflect the family.

Marshall Watson office — Photographer: Francesco Lagnese

Whether it’s with a statement making gallery wall filled with good memories,

Marshall Watson dining room — Photographer: Francesco Lagnese

A chic-yet-durable breakfast room suitable for adults and children alike,

Or a room that combines comfort, tradition, and abstract style to create effortless style,

We’d say that the designers of Marshall Watson Interiors play by their own rules.

The results, home after home, room after room, time after time, are stunning, pulled-together interiors that are unique to the families that live inside their walls.

And, really, isn’t that how it should be?

From combining comfort, style and function in a sunny garden room,

To creating a cozy, layered nest, the perfect end to any long day,

These designers make good taste seem totally effortless.

On this, the second day of spring, we have to say that we think this outdoor style is just as chic as the indoors–and we can’t wait to get savor plenty of outside time in the months to come. Wherever you are, we hope it’s beginning to feel like spring! Thanks so much for making Design Chic a part of your day!

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We’ve found a favorite new magazine that we are absolutely crazy about! Seasons Style & Design, based in Greensboro, NC and affiliated with O.Henry Magazine, is simply too beautiful for words! (These pictures don’t do it justice!)

So I couldn’t be any more thrilled that they were so kind to feature me–and Slightly South of Simple–in their stunning spring issue. Such a treat! I’ll be at High Point Market, as Seasons says, at the Codarus Showroom, on Sunday, April 23, from 3-5pm. I hope all you fabulous design lovers will join me if you’re in town for the big show!

Thank you so much to Seasons for all the book love! If you’re in the Piedmont, make sure to pick up a copy–or read online! You can follow anywhere you are! We know we will!