Tour a Coastal Savannah Home With a Beachy Vibe

Injecting maximum style into a small space, these Savannah homeowners have created a beautiful celebration of coastal living.

July 23, 2019

By: Felicia Feaster

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Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Making the Most of Their Space

Mary Margaret and Sanders Monsees have transformed a former Savannah fishing cottage into a bright, pretty space that takes full advantage of its modest 1700 square feet (500 square feet of which is porches). The Monsees have used a subdued color palette and a clean, coastal design scheme to make the space feel open and bright.

Botanical Art

Mary Margaret, who studied art history at the University of Georgia, is an artist who offers a fresh take on traditional botanicals by finishing her colorful images of flowers and plants with a glossy coat of resin. Many of her paintings are displayed in her home, including these camellias in the couple's bedroom.

Clean Lines

A design scheme using shades of white gives this master bedroom a restful feel.

Color Blast

Demonstrating an admirable restraint when it comes to color—as in this raspberry throw pillow on a bedroom chair—allows the pretty neutrals, heirloom family pieces and antique store finds in the Monsees' home to really stand out.

Mirror Trick

The strategic use of mirrors throughout this home help open up the space.

Magic of Paint

A rich charcoal shade of paint gives this vintage dresser a hip new lease on life.

Vintage Storage

Extra storage is so much more charming when it comes in the form of an antique armoire in the bedroom.

Original Hardware

The beautiful brass faucets in the home are original, and Mary Margaret was lucky enough to source a similar sconce for this lovely, old-fashioned bath at Savannah's Circa Lighting.

Thoughtful Details

A delicate chandelier scaled to this bathroom's size, light blue paint on the chair rail, wainscoting and window frame and a wooden vanity lend the home's single bathroom its pretty simplicity.

Epic Porch View

A wide, welcoming back porch offers lots of entertaining space and a gorgeous view of the marsh and water in this charming Savannah home.

In the Swing of Things

Whimsical pillows and crisp white porcelain garden stools complete the outdoor living room feel of the Monsees' expansive back porch.

Succulent Forward

An arrangement of succulents gets a coastal treatment in this stunning outdoor table centerpiece.

Coastal Cool

Bamboo chairs and a palette of blues and whites and windows that let the light flood in give this Savannah home a fresh, airy feel.

Black and Blue

Black rattan pieces mixed with a crisp white sofa and pale blue pillows set an approachable, comfortable but still elegant tone in the living room of this Savannah home.

Easy Charm

"I just wanted it to feel breezy and easy," says Mary Margaret of her home where a neutral palette and original pine floors are enlivened with pops of color from pillows and lamps that lend her home its unique, cottage charm.

By Sea and By Land

Elements of nature including seashells and plants and a cross-section of wood help create a cohesive organic tone in this coastal home.

Built-Ins Save Space

The built-in banquette created by Savannah designer Robyn Roberts saves a ton of room in the open kitchen and breakfast area of this home.

Bottle Lights

Mary Margaret had glass bottles made into lamps for this bright, cottage-style kitchen.

Style Secret

Part of keeping this smaller space so streamlined and fresh? A minimum of clutter (including fussy window treatments) and natural elements like plants, sea shells and botanical prints that connect the space to the outdoors.

Drinks Spot

A bar area carved out of an alcove near the kitchen is given a personal touch with framed black and white family photos. A mirror helps keep the space bright and reflects light to continue the open, airy feel of the home.

Color-Coded Vignette

Even a simple bookcase display becomes interesting when the book spines are arranged by color.

Creativity Runs in the Family

Mary Margaret's brother George Schley (@kingfisher.woodworks) creates these artisanal cutting boards proudly displayed on the Monsees' back porch at his business Kingfisher Woodworks in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Outdoor Living

A former store metal display case makes a great console on the Monsees' back porch.

Home With a View

"To find something on the water that had character and charm" was a thrill says Mary Margaret of her sweet 1890 coastal bungalow in the Isle of Hope community of Savannah. Wildlife abounds, including deer, owls, raccoons, "lots of cats" and "an alligator comes every once in awhile."

Walkabout

A path leads to a side porch and the main entrance to the Monsees' home.

Classic Savannah

The beautiful Southern landscape, a classic 19th century fish camp turned coastal home for a young couple filled with plenty of family heirlooms add up to an adorable space in Savannah, Georgia.