Interiors | South Carolina, USA

A perfect family vacation home at the Hilton Head Island residence

Astonishing nature and direct ocean access make for a magical setting.

Geneva-based interior designer Alexandra de Garidel-Thoron has decorated numerous residences for the same clients: a Czech banker and his wife. The couple’s favourite home is the one located on Hilton Head Island in the US state of South Carolina, where they vacation with their four young children. The 10-bedroom house has the advantage of being situated directly on the ocean. Measuring almost 11,000sqft, it was designed by local architect C Matthew Taylor, whose initial scheme for the interiors was to focus on just two materials: teak wood and white Corian.

“I completely turned the project upside down,” recalls Alexandra. The clients asked Alexandra specifically for decor that was more welcoming and relaxed. She explains, “It’s a seaside house – so you’re supposed to be able to hang out in your swimming costume.” One of the main complexities she had to deal with was the sheer volume of many of the spaces – the master suite alone measures some 1,000sqft. “We completely reproportioned things, so you now have the impression that everything is on a human scale,” she says.

An exterior view of the spectacular 10-bedroom house.

The three masks on the credenza in the dining area were discovered by Alexandra on the French Riviera.

In the master suite, the artwork Nuptial Sleep (2010) by Andrea Mastrovito; the wall is made from a composite material that imitates concrete.

A staircase made from resin leads to the master suite on the top level, and guest bedrooms and the children's playroom on the lower level; the wall sculpture at the top of the stairs is Facture no. 1010/009 (2010) by Daniel Buren from the Galerie Kamel Mennour in Paris, while the photo on the lower level is Kobe by George Rousse.

Above a cream carpet from Tai Ping is a 10-seater walnut dining table and chairs created by Chris Lehrecke, and a custom credenza made from walnut and Corian.

The living and dining areas are stunning retreats: a custom fireplace made from black marble sets the scene, and the triptych above it is 1000 Platitudes (1973) by Rafael Lozano-Hermmer.

The kitchen is from Valcucine and the barstools were designed by Robert Bristow.

The master suite features relaxing bathing areas.

The kids' bedroom is every superhero's dream, decorated with big comic artwork from Warner Pictures.

The kids' areas are colourful fantasies: in the playroom, the plush sofa is from Roche Bobois covered by Missoni Home fabric, while the curtain fabric is from Lelievre.

By: Ian Phillips | Tripod Agency

Photography: Stephan Julliard | Tripod Agency