A Myers Park couple leans into their designer to help bring their beach-inspired dream home to fruition.

By Blake Miller | photographs by Erin Comerford Miller

When Shannon and Chris Evans began considering a new house, the couple knew they needed a turnkey home. “We both work 60 hours or more a week, so we really needed someone who could take the project and run with it,” Shannon says. “We needed someone to meet with the architect, meet with the builder, basically do everything for us.” The couple also knew they wanted new construction — renovating an older home was off the table — so the project would involve designing a house inside and out from the ground up.

Having never built a home nor worked with an interior designer before, Shannon and Chris were unsure where to start. It wasn’t until their wedding planner introduced them to designer Sarah Catherine Garvin of SC Collective that they finally felt like they had someone to guide them through the process. 

“The moment we met, we instantly clicked,” Garvin says. “And I knew my priority — in addition to designing them a gorgeous, functional home — was to take the design process off their plates and let them rely on me to cull through all of the options and specifications and present it to them.”

After enlisting Grandfather Homes as the builder, the Evans and Garvin worked closely with architect Rob Foster to design a 4,700-square-foot, two-story home in Myers Park. “Everything really revolved around the home being stylish, functional for everyday living and ultimately a great place to entertain,” Garvin says. “Shannon and Chris are very laid-back, so nothing in the home could be too precious. Comfort was definitely a priority, too.”

The design plans were a slight departure from Garvin’s self-described contemporary aesthetic that’s become her calling card. 

“Shannon is drawn to a more neutral color palette, so we really needed to create interest through texture and accessories,” says the designer, who also drew inspiration from the couple’s travels. “When we first met, Shannon and Chris spoke a lot about their love for travel and scuba diving and their love for the beach. I wanted the home to be a reflection of them and what they love, so despite this home not being on the coast, I really wanted to incorporate a coastal vibe throughout.”

Garvin looked to subtle textures and materials that feel inherently coastal but also are understated, modern and clean, such as whitewashed wood furniture and white oak hardwoods throughout. The tortoiseshell Schumacher wallpaper in the barrel ceiling of the foyer is a nod to the couple’s strong affection for sea turtles. “Every time they enter the home, it’s a small reminder of the things they love and that make them smile,” the designer says. Elsewhere, Garvin incorporated coastal finishes such as the glazed whitewashed pine on the dramatic vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom. 

“Sarah Catherine added just small hints of our love of travel and the beach throughout the home that we notice every day and make us happy — but that others could overlook,” Shannon says. “It’s as if you find a surprise every time you walk in a room.”

With entertaining a high priority for the couple, Garvin knew extending the living space to the outdoors was a must. “Shannon and Chris travel to secluded places around the world,” Garvin says. “So we wanted to create this private oasis in their own backyard.” With the help of the homebuilder and Jeff Rounds with RedTree Landscape Design, the design team created a seamless transition from the indoors to the spacious backyard, featuring a lounge area with a pergola and a streamlined pool that Garvin designed with Marty Wynne of Winning Pools. Meanwhile upstairs, a large game room serves as the ultimate entertaining spot, complete with full-size shuffleboard, a pingpong table and bar area. 

Ultimately, the Evans’ home is exactly what they envisioned when they began the building process. 

“We wanted what we wanted — a functional home that allowed for easy entertaining but was also comfortable and relaxed,” Shannon says.  SP