It is a rare thing when the perfect team seamlessly joins forces to cre- ate a home designed to fulfill the unique vision of a highly creative client through the exceptional detailing provided by those contract- ed to do so. Searose, a six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom family
home was just such an exception. The overall building design concept
was to create a new home with the feel of an historic, old Bermuda cottage (see page 42 for more on the winning building design aspect), and
the interiors had to reflect the same.
The owners—a mature, highly-energetic couple with five adult sons
and numerous grandchildren—had already engaged the help of c Tx
Design Group on the architectural side of their home when they began
to talk of their numerous interior design concepts with designer Lauren
Grayston.
“[ The owners] were wonderful to work with and through this jour-
ney have become like family,” said Grayston. “[ The wife] is a true artist
so working with her was always exciting. You never knew what was
coming, but you knew it would always be good.
“On a Monday morning I’d check my emails and find pictures of
[the husband] propping up a ‘pair’ of pillars covered in mud, differ-
ent heights and colours and a note from [the wife] saying ‘I’ve found
the kitchen fireplace pillars!’ Months later, after we figured out how to
have the treasures trucked (sometimes, it seemed, by cart horse) from
these obscure locations, we’d huddle around them and figure out how
to install them. Turning them around, upside down and a little to the
left—no right—and obsess until they were in place.”
Left: Highlights of the open plan living area include an enormous
fireplace and weathered ceiling beams. Above: The branched
crotch of a casurina tree is used as a pedestal for the island overhang in the kitchen.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN SPURLING
Homeowners and designer
collaborate to make a new
Bermuda home look as if it
had been there for generations
