Page 151 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2025

ready to go back to Madisonville and then about two days after we get home, we are ready to come back!”
Elaine and Jered Graham keep Nauti Dream, a 50-foot Blue Water Yacht they call home, docked in Biloxi. Nestled in a private marina area between two casinos, the couple live full time on the water. The location provides them and their bull terrier, Tigger, a haven from which to watch all the activity on the water including the shore birds that share their little piece of paradise. “We love watching the birds from the upstairs deck. The pelicans sit together and seem to get along, but the herons are a different story!”
Their floating residence includes a beautiful deck with a cushioned safety floor, a fire pit, ample seating, a grill, and speakers for tunes. Both agree it is their favorite spot. Working full time and surrounded by great restaurants, they seldom eat in for dinner. Jered is a firefighter in Gautier and Elaine is a nurse in Ocean Springs. When they do dine at home, it is typically blackened fish from the grill – Jered’s specialty.
Down below are two bedrooms, two baths, a large living area, and a fully operational galley. They have nearly all the amenities a land based home would have and as Jered mentions, they can move their home out of harm’s way anytime they need to. Elaine and her DIY skills have influenced the boat’s décor. She has lots of creative ideas and does her research before tackling a project. A unique chiseled cork wall runs along the galley, and she upgraded a standard island countertop by marbling it with paint and coating it in epoxy. “It looks quite different since I moved here. Jered has learned to trust me when it comes to decorating.”
Like the Sherburnes, friends and family of the Grahams love spending time on the boat. “We have a boat crew of about 20 people,” says Jered. “On a pretty weekend, a group will get together and cruise the Coast and local rivers. There is no drama on boat days, we just like to have fun.”
The couple loves to cruise the Caribbean when they can. A collection of island license plates and shells are prominently displayed in the living area. But they love staying at home almost as much. “We’ve learned less is more and this lifestyle is perfect for us,” they say. And you certainly cannot beat the view.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
SASSY BIRD INTERIORS
211 Main St. Bay St. Louis 228.344.3181 | www.sassybirdinteriors.com
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
June 2025 | 151
The Sherburne Family.