Coastal calm: how one designer crafted a family's dream retreat
Nellie Howard Ossi didn't just design a home; she orchestrated a lifestyle shift. A Ponte Vedra Beach cottage, conceived as a weekend escape for a Raleigh couple, has become a near-full-time sanctuary, a testament to Ossi’s ability to translate a client’s vision into tangible, deeply personal space. The story isn’t just about beautiful interiors; it’s about how design can reshape routines and deepen connections.
A blank canvas, a signature palette
The project began with remarkably few constraints. Ossi and her mother, Phoebe Howard—both seasoned design veterans—collaborated with builder Heritage Home Group on this ground-up Nantucket-style cottage. The clients’ sole directive: a love for the classic blue and white color palette. “Complete creative control is truly a designer’s dream,” Ossi notes. And she seized the opportunity, weaving the nautical hues throughout the home’s generous 5,800 square feet, creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
Stepping inside, the great room immediately establishes the design’s tone. Deep blues punctuate a neutral backdrop, inviting relaxation and conversation. The open-plan layout, which also encompasses a nearly all-white kitchen, is skillfully defined by Page Mullins’ strategic furniture placement and nuanced interpretations of the signature palette. It is, as Ossi puts it, “the perfect sweet spot” – beautiful yet inviting, elegant but utterly approachable.
But this project wasn't just about aesthetics. Ossi's approach is rooted in functionality. “It’s about understanding how people live,” she explains. That’s where Amelia Gabriel, a professional organizer from Jacksonville, Florida, came in. Gabriel’s involvement, initiated midway through the project, proved invaluable, working with the clients to analyze their routines and devise storage solutions that seamlessly integrated into the design. From packing assistance to thoughtful placement of belongings, Gabriel ensured the home served the family’s needs, not the other way around.
Details that define a life
The home’s thoughtful details extend beyond the practical. The expansive entryway and intimate dining room flow effortlessly into a covered patio—a favorite element for Ossi. “Everyone has their own space to retreat, but there are still plenty of beautiful places to gather,” she emphasizes. The bar, a jewel-toned haven painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, offers a dramatic pause between the airy living and dining areas. The butler’s pantry, with its etched glass cabinet fronts, cleverly disguises clutter while maintaining an open feel. Even the lounge, featuring a deeply saturated blue paint that doesn’t feel oppressive thanks to strategically placed light-reflecting tiles, is designed for relaxation and fun, complete with a gaming table and French doors leading to a balcony overlooking the Guana Reserve.
The primary bedroom embodies “light, texture, and quiet pattern,” creating a tranquil retreat. The ensuite bathroom continues the coastal theme with reeded vanity fronts and woven baskets, adding texture and a touch of organic warmth. And the guest bedroom playfully incorporates repeating patterns on the curtains and bed frame, accented by a pale plaid rug for a classic touch.
Ossi’s meticulous attention to detail shines through in every room, elevating the design beyond mere beauty to create a functional and cherished family home.
Fast facts
Designer: Nellie Jane Howard Ossi of Nellie Howard Ossi Interiors
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
The Space: A new Nantucket-style, 5,800-square-foot cottage with 4 bedrooms and 7 baths.
Living Room: Hickory Chair Furniture Co. sofas and coffee table. Century Furniture chandelier. Rug from Jaipur With Love. Thibaut drapery.
Kitchen: Benjamin Moore White Dove wall paint. Walter G. Backsplash (Tile of Ezra). Oversized plaster hood.
Bar: Visual Comfort & Co. pendant lights. Made Goods bar stools. Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue walls.
Butler’s Pantry: Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light cabinet paint. Visual Comfort & Co. sconce.
Dining Room: Hickory Chair Furniture Co. table and buffet. Lee Industries chairs. Vaughan chandelier. Rug from Jaipur With Love.
Lounge: Lee Industries couch. Villa & House gaming table. Currey & Company chandelier.
Primary Bedroom: Stark Carpet rug. Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture canopy bed. Amanda Lindroth bedding. Hickory Chair Furniture Co. nightstand.
Primary Bath: Mirror Home mirror. Visual Comfort & Co. sconces. Hudson Valley Lighting pendant light.
Guest Bedroom: Stark Carpet rug. Highland House Furniture bed frame. John Robshaw bedding. Kravet drapery. Made Goods nightstand.
Patio: Palecek pendant lights. Made Goods table. Etsy tablecloth. Business & Pleasure Co. bar stools. Century Furniture chairs.
About nellie howard ossi
Drawing on a Southern coastal upbringing and a family legacy in design, Ossi has built Nellie Howard Ossi Interiors into a firm known for creating timeless designs rooted in clients’ lifestyles. Her attention to detail and commitment to functionality have made her a sought-after designer in the region.