I have just returned from a quick trip to USA where I spent a few days in a small coastal town in South Carolina. I really fell in love with the area, especially the 300 acre Myrtle Beach State Park which opens onto a far-reaching stretch of unspoiled Grand Strand coastline. The park was the first in South Carolina to be opened to the public in 1935 and sits nestled among maritime forest that has the most stunning ocean views.
Nearby ocean and national park were the inspiration for Denise’s renovation
My good friend Denise let me photograph her home which is in nearby Murrell’s inlet. She has recently moved here from Pawleys Island and had to completely repaint and refurnish the new house herself, as it was pretty run down. She did an excellent job considering the height of ceilings and the abundance of window and door trims. A small light-filled back porch was fully enclosed with fly-wire, something we could learn to do here in Australia. Denise also had the windows double glazed and added inside plantation shutters to keep out that hot southern sun and humidity and to give more privacy. The result is a very comfortable, light and elegant home which is cool in summer and warm in winter. Colour scheme was William Sherman’s Whitetail paint on walls in bedrooms, and Alabaster in living areas with glossy pure white trims. Her furnishing style is one of earthy browns, beige and and contrasting greys, textured with natural fibres and wood and wrought iron. Denise’s home is an inventory of beautiful objects; collected, curated and inspired by the raw, fecund and natural beauty of the surrounding areas.
Warm earthy tones of brown and beige with hints of black and dusty pink
Denise carefully chooses her object d’art to integrate with her colour scheme. Below, the enclosed porch is functional as well as attractive!
My favourite place to sit and drink iced tea was the enclosed back porch – shady with cool sea breezes, it was the perfect place in the warm afternoons. Completely enclosed in unobtrusive fly-wire.
If you would like to find attractive object d’art such as above try April and Oak
Their Rustic Charm range is simply adorable and you will find many matches for the pieces in Denise’s home, such as this Mango wood console. 
(Disclosure – I will receive a small commission if you click through and purchase from April and Oak links on this post.)
Shop now for some beautiful pieces such as the artwork below.
These framed abstract, paper or rope artworks from April and Oak would work in a rustic decor setting.
these hurricane lamps candle holders would look good on a table or sideboard – or try the tea-light glasses on wooden tray as a table centrepiece!
plenty of rustic style mirrors to place above a sideboard or hall console.
and table lamps to suit your style
More photos below of the beautiful area in South Carolina
Alligators come out to sun themselves on the pond banks outside Denise’s house.
Myrtle Beach Maritime Forest
Myrtle Beach State Park includes live oak and southern magnolias. Other unique features include sea oats located on the dunes and an expansive sand dunes system along the beach.
Murrells Inlet
“The land around Murrells Inlet has a record of settlement that goes back thousands of years, before written history, but evident in the shell mounds and archeological findings from the Atlantic Ocean to the Waccamaw River. The early inhabitants included the Waccamaw people, who took advantage of the natural resources provided by the creeks and rivers. Wachesaw is loosely translated as “Place of Great Weeping”, in reference to the burial grounds. Indian burial mounds have been found along the high bluffs at Wachesaw that contained European beads, urns and other artifacts.” (from Wikipedia)