How did the moss-draped oaks and Lowcountry landscape shape your material and colour choices?
The Spanish moss draping the trees and the golden light of the Lowcountry informed our design throughout. Soft greens, golds, and browns are woven into every room, and we leaned into natural materials - marble, wood, and stone - at every turn.

How would you describe the architectural vision you and Heather Wilson achieved between the rustic and refined spaces?
We wanted the house to read as two parts. Although it's a fully new build, the front of the house has lower ceilings and smaller rooms, designed to feel like an original homestead that might have sat on the property for generations. Once you cross through the glass breezeway, it feels as though you're stepping into a newer addition, with sleeker, more open spaces. Heather Wilson created wonderful connections between the two through enfilades and sight lines.

What inspired you to turn the pantry window into a focal point with our Sepia Delft tiles rather than a standard backsplash?
These tiles actually live in the pantry just off the kitchen, which is visible from the main areas of the house, so we wanted it to be a room that looks beautiful from every angle. By wrapping the tiles around the window, we're drawing the eye to the magnificent oak tree outside, which is hundreds of years old.

What drew you to the Sepia colourway for this space?
The sepia was the perfect way to introduce pattern and detail without overwhelming the space with colour. It lets the views do the talking.

The motifs feature local wildlife and even the family dog, how did you and the clients curate the tile story?
The tiles in the pantry tell the story of Brays Island - an island known for hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and all manner of outdoor sport. Since the pantry sits just off the kitchen, it felt like the right spot for a beautiful moment. We even included tiles of the family's dog! The clients helped us select each and every tile to reflect their own personal heritage and that of the island, giving the room a true sense of place.

What do handcrafted, illustrated tiles bring to a new build that stone or plain ceramic cannot?
We carefully mapped out the tile spacing and placement for our build team by creating a colour-coded grid in AutoCAD, with each colour representing a different tile type, alongside a numbered grid. This ensured every tile landed exactly where it should - no two quail tiles side by side, for example! We wanted the charm of each tile to shine, so we chose a slightly warmed grout that allows the eye to read each tile as its own little story.

How did you map the layout with LW Custom Build, and how did you settle on that soft, warm grout?
We carefully mapped out the tile spacing and placement for our build team by creating a colour-coded grid in AutoCAD, with each colour representing a different tile type, alongside a numbered grid. This ensured every tile landed exactly where it should - no two quail tiles side by side, for example! We wanted the charm of each tile to shine, so we chose a slightly warmed grout that allows the eye to read each tile as its own little story.

How did the clients respond to layering patterned Delft tiles with the café curtains and other textiles?
Our clients loved the Delft tiles for their pantry from the moment they saw them. They add a beautiful layer of pattern without competing with the striped café curtains.

Between the pantry Delft and the ticking-stripe shower, were the clients naturally drawn to playful tile choices?
The clients really trusted our vision, and we were lucky to incorporate custom tile in several areas. The Delft tiles steal the show in the pantry, and we designed a custom ticking-stripe tile for the shower to create a '90s Ralph Lauren–inspired look.

How was your experience collaborating with our studio team?
Working with the House of Petra team was truly wonderful. Samples were provided quickly for colour approval, and the tiles arrived unbroken and beautifully crafted. We would highly recommend House of Petra to anyone looking to add gorgeous, storied tile to their home!