A Courtyard Home in Orchid Island
Interior Design by Jill Shevlin Design
Bob and Gerri Ripp set out to build a new home in Orchid Island with just a few marching orders for their architect, to “live on the outside from the inside” and most essential to their lifestyle was to have plenty of light along with a cohesive flow within the house.
Veterans at building new homes the Ripp’s have been through the process several times and admit “it has always been an interesting path and fortunately for us we have always been pleased with the outcome.” Gerri tells us that “every home we have built had three expectations: a “wow” factor, to finish on schedule, and to remain on budget.
Many who have taken on the task of building a new home would call the process nothing less than challenging. Asked how they could survive building several homes Gerri replies, “As a couple, we each kept to our area of expertise. Bob likes to attend to the big picture planning and supervising. I like the details and decorating. Also, whoever does the most cooking, should plan the kitchen!”
A colonnade on either side of the courtyard leads to the adjacent Guest House.
The Formal Living Room looks out over the courtyard.
“We wanted our home to be comforting and inviting, with an elegant, casual style. A few friends have told us that it has a “peaceful” feel to it.”
A unique fountain greets guests at the courtyard main entry to the home.
A blue and yellow color palate provides a calm and serene atmosphere in the formal Living Room.
Fragments of a broken vase purchased in Italy were made into stepping stones by the couple’s grandchildren. Here one is used as an outdoor side table.
In the open and brightly lit Breakfast Room a large plan top extension table is the center for daily activities.
The Family Room is decorated casually and made for comfort. Swivel lounge chairs surround an extra-large leather ottoman.
The Master Bedroom offers a tranquil retreat in a wing off the front entrance. Traditional furnishings are accented by a stria paint technique of a soft green and beige.
A vibrant and tropical guest bedroom is decorated with shell photographs on plexi and a patch work quilt.
An outdoor dining and lounge area off the courtyard are in close proximity to the Kitchen and Family Room. A great space to eat or relax after swimming. There is a vegetable garden brimming with fresh herbs and vegetables.
Q&A with Bob and Gerri Ripp
How has the courtyard home changed the way you live in the house?
We’ve had large events here where the courtyard was well used. Our children and grandchildren love to play lawn games. We can view the courtyard from all the active rooms in our home. During the day, the angle of the sun changes the look; in the evening, the lights emit a very serene look.
Do you utilize the outside more? Do you think you use the outdoor living space more?
The outside is used mostly when we have visitors and dinner guests.
Have you ever lived in a courtyard style home before? What is it about this style that you were drawn to?
This is our first courtyard home. We loved the open feel to it, and the privacy from the golf course.
Do you use all the rooms in the home equally, or do you tend to gather in a favorite space?
We tend to gather in our kitchen and family room. Our grandchildren use our kitchen table as a “craft” table.
We love how bright and warm your home is. How do the colors convey your personalities and what you wanted out of a living space?
We wanted our home to be comforting and inviting, with an elegant, casual style. A few friends have told us that it has a “peaceful” feel to it.
Interior Design by Jill Shevlin Design
Interview by Elaine Ryan
Photography by Aric Attas
Originally published on Vero Home Life & Design, you can see it here
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