Page 126 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2024

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We found a little piece of paradise when we visited our friends Bill Walker and Jim Mora recently. They had just wrapped
up a five-month building project in the backyard of their Pass Christian home, and we were anxious to see the results.
Their fabulous new guest house completes the vision of a private oasis that includes
a screened in outdoor kitchen, a sparkling pool with arching fountain jets, comfortable lounge seating, a fire pit, and, of course, lush landscaping. For Bill and Jim and teenage daughter, Imma, the perfect get-away is right outside the back door.
“We don’t go out and party much anymore. We are to the point where we just want to spend time with the people we love and if we can make our friends comfortable here,
we are happy,” they say. After the family’s newest member, a Bengal kitty named Slug, took over the main house guest room, the wheels started turning in Jim’s mind about creating a fresh, new space that could accommodate guests but also be a spot for them to get away from the main house where no matter what you do, life’s clutter tends to reside. The everyday stuff you need to do never quite goes away no matter where you put it.
The new guest house has a fresh façade of natural wood-looking siding mixed with
a smooth stone-colored stucco appearance. Both materials are concrete fiber board designed for durability in hot, humid climates, and will never need painting. The exterior roof line is accentuated with cypress beams that seem to emerge from within.
The interior’s design has an updated Mid-Century Modern appeal with clean lines
and minimal furnishings. The blues and grays of the walls, ceilings, and tiles draw our imaginations to the deep hues of ocean waters while the mosaic tile floors and solid counters remind us of sea glass and shells sprinkled on the beach. The natural cypress tongue-and-groove paneled and beamed ceilings in the living area balance the cool tones and reinforce a sense of being in nature. A series of stacked casement windows in the living area give you a unique view to the lush greens outside. Vibrant art and accessories accent the color palette, giving the space an eclectic vibe where everything must have a story if you get to stay long enough to hear it.
A Staycation Oasis
story by Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
photos by Drew Tarter
126 | July 2024 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
PROJECT PARADISE