Home Showcase: A Bold Vision of Artistic Expression in Long Cove
When a designer gets a chance to weave her magic on her own home, it’s never as simple as black and white.
Story by Barry Kaufman + Photos by Lisa Staff
For years Chrystal Cuddyre has helped others create the homes of their dreams. Her bold, artistic style, predicated on layering different textures against eye-catching monochromatic accents, has infused her clients’ homes with vibrant beauty. So when it came to designing her own home in Long Cove, it should have been a no-brainer, right?
“It is much harder to design for myself, and I’ve heard this same sentiment from other designers,” she said. “I think it’s because we know what’s at stake.”
Helping her create her own personal portfolio highlight was Mark Creamer with celebrated luxury home builder Palatial Homes Design.
“The owners wanted something truly unique — an architectural and design statement that stood apart while respecting the ARB guidelines. They envisioned a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, where the pool area integrates effortlessly with the interior spaces, all designed on a single walk-out level,” he said. “Our goal was to craft a home that was both visually captivating and functionally cohesive, and I believe we achieved that.”
Indoors and out, Cuddyre’s designer eye and Palatial Homes Design’s renowned craftsmanship combined to create a space that dazzles with its visual flair while revealing itself through a layout that takes full advantage of the Lowcountry’s year-round indoor-outdoor appeal.
Monochrome masterpiece
The living room serves as a bold declaration of the home’s fearless style, setting a black-beamed ceiling above custom built-ins of black and gold as well as bold accent walls papered with art inspired by the flowing lines of Asian calligraphy.
“I’ve always been drawn to black and white – in my clothes, my work, my art. It’s easy to work with because you can always add in other colors,” said Cuddyre. “I chose red and fuchsia as our accent colors.”
The fireplace is encased in sleek metal panels and accented with exposed industrial bolts, infusing the room with a bold, modern industrial aesthetic.
Global glamour
Seen through the black steel doors of the office, the dining room’s gorgeous geometric wallpaper serves as a burst of both color and curves.
“It’s wallpaper I found from the Czech Republic,” said Cuddyre. “It wasn’t quite long enough, so Mark came up with the idea of putting the trim beneath it.”
The result turns the wallpaper into something midway between a work of art and an accent wall.
“The owners’ design inspiration included a strong palette with vibrant accents and textures. Influences from their time in Asia are evident in the wallpapers, material choices and architectural details, adding a global sophistication to the space,” added Creamer. “Bringing those elements together in a way that felt intentional and cohesive was a creative challenge.”
Golden indulgence
While Cuddyre will be the first to tell you that she gave Creamer plenty of input (“I was prolific with my pictures to him,” she said) one element of the home in particular, the expansive wine room, was actually inspired by the builder’s own home.
“We had actually looked at Mark’s house about 4 or 5 years ago, and he had a wine room like this. That was a feature we really liked, so we incorporated it,” said Cuddyre. “We don’t even drink that much wine!”
While they may not need the functionality, the wine room serves as an artistic statement with its bright gold accents and black trim right in the heart of the home.
Abstract elegance
The primary bedroom serves as an exclamation point to the home’s overall artistry, pairing two levels of black trim above a bold abstract brush stroke along the accent wall.
“The ceilings are so high that I had a hard time finding wallpaper,” said Cuddyre. To create this wall, she turned to Eazywallz, a website that creates wall murals based on a home’s dimensions. It took a little extra work, but it was worth it for Cuddyre to realize her dream home. “It was the focus of my life for about two years. It was a labor of love. Every decision, every trim, every color, every window was my choice.”
Comfort meets creativity
Each of the two guest rooms share the high ceilings that run throughout the home, with bold black trim setting an exciting edge to the space’s style.
“The distinct styles of the guest rooms were inspired entirely by the owners’ vision. Each room reflects their creative input, from the choice of furnishings to the intricate details like custom wallpapers,” said Creamer. “Our role was to bring these ideas to life while maintaining the overall integrity of the home’s design.”
Of course, it turned out to be one of those elements that just works differently when designing your own home. “I found out pretty quickly black trim is a real pain,” laughed Cuddyre. “And every room had black trim, black molding and black doors. it was a pain for the painters, but they did an amazing job.”
If this Home Showcase has inspired you to redesign your home, Cuddyre would love to help. Visit her website to (chrystalcuddyredesign.com) to learn more.
