6 Ways to Create a Naturally Elegant Lowcountry Living Room
In a Palmetto Bluff retreat, marsh-inspired artwork, artisan-made pieces and tactile furnishings offer a quieter interpretation of coastal style.
Story by Alea Wilkins
Photo by Kelli Boyd
Key Points
● Court Atkins Group brings the Lowcountry landscape indoors with a nature-inspired design in this Palmetto Bluff living room.
● Marsh-inspired artwork, handcrafted pottery and a bronze doe sculpture add coastal character without relying on obvious nautical décor.
● A soft fur pillow and hand-knotted wool rug introduce warmth, texture and comfort.
● A repurposed brass equestrian medallion and carefully collected objects give the room a distinctive, personal touch.
It’s almost as if you can hear the whisper of the marsh grass as it stirs in the painting hung above the mantel. Its setting, a peaceful Palmetto Bluff retreat, embodies the serenity of the landscape in every sense, as if you can smell the salt air, taste it and feel it all around you. Curated by Court Atkins Group, this space blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, inspired through and through by the Lowcountry’s tranquility.
1. Art in Motion
Above the mantel an oil painting from Robert Kent Galleries centers the space on coastal calm. Its soft, atmospheric brushwork adds movement to the modestly decorated walls without drawing focus from the room around it.
2. Crafted Containers
Artisan-made pottery gives the room a bespoke charm with pieces hand-thrown and hand-glazed in tawny brown, steel blue and organic cream tones. No two dishes are painted alike, granting keys, sunglasses or other stray items a special place to rest.
3. Soft Landing
A fur pillow softens the living room by sight and touch. Atop a standalone armchair, its Mongolian-style shag tempts guests to sink in, an especially inviting notion when seated next to the warm marble fireplace.
4. Doe-lightful Figure
Cast by artist Darrell Davis of Anglin Smith Gallery, this bronze sculpture captures a doe mid-stride, arching down to lap at a babbling stream or smell the soft earth. On the coffee table it completes the Lowcountry design with grace.
5. Mane Event
Re-purposed from brass once used on an equestrian harness, this horse medallion makes a stylish coffee-table centerpiece. Its aged finish intrigues with the promise of a storied past, and its equine character almost winks in anticipation of recounting its tales.
6. Woven Welcome
Mimicking the soft grasses of the marsh, this ivory wool rug lays a gentle path for bare feet without excess noise. Its nubby, hand-knotted pile skillfully hides daily wear and tear, making it the kind of rug that’s easy to love and hard to replace.
