Grand Tours: Texas Gulf Coast Beach Getaway

Welcome to Tarpon Run

Birmingham-based architects Jeff Dungan and Louis Nequette designed this 3,334-square-foot beach house with an open floor plan and four porches to maximize Gulf views and outdoor living space.

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Front Porch

A casual front porch with a fireplace and two woven rocking chairs creates an informal entryway to this relaxed beach house.

Foyer

Designers steered away from a formal entry hall in this relaxed beach house. This space is more for kicking off your flip flops and knocking sand from between your toes.

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Foyer Details

Whitewashed horizontal shiplap planking in the foyer makes the brand new space look older, and is a cue to what you will see in the rest of the house.

Entryway Bench

A white built-in bench and hooks installed on the wall above are the perfect place to neatly collect beach bags, towels, pails, and shovels after a day in the sand and surf.

Family Room

The family room’s slipcovered sofa is punctuated with brightly patterned throw pillows in aqua and orange, colors that permeate the rest of the house.

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Family Room Seating

The family room sofa backs up to a seating area with four slipcovered club chairs that surround a sizeable ottoman.

Family Room Console

Instead of mounting a flat screen TV against this wall across from the sofa, designer Paige Schnell hung a painting of a pelican, an animal that can be found all over Port Aransas.

Vintage Family Room Chair

Most of the furniture in this home is brand new, except for this vintage chair covered in the same tropical print fabric as many of the room’s throw pillows.

Fabric: Rowlily in Palm Beach from Calico Corners  

Family Room Deck

Just off the family room, a wooden deck faces the ocean. Two plastic Adirondack chairs flank a ceramic garden stool. The plastic chairs stand up against the salty sea air better than wood chairs.

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Kitchen

By raising the kitchen one step up, the architects created a stadium effect in the living room. The counters in the kitchen are standard height, but because of the elevation change, they reach bar height from the opposite of the island in the family room.

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Kitchen Cabinetry

The Shaker-style cabinets on the range and on the kitchen island are the same; however the island cabinets are a dark espresso, while the range cabinets are kept a crisp white. The countertops are a balance of beauty and utility—Calcutta marble on the island, and maple butcher block on either side of the stove.

Kitchen Backsplash

Instead of applying tile, an antiqued-mirror was used as the backsplash in this galley kitchen. The designer chose this material because it allows one to see views of the gulf reflected in the mirror, even while cooking.

Dining Nook

Even though the home can sleep 15 people, a casual, cozy dining nook just off the kitchen is meant for more intimate meals.

Dining Nook Details

Light pours into the room through a bank of windows in this built-in dining nook. A custom cushion was built for the bench along the back wall that scoots up to a picnic-style table with a zinc inlay top. Two vintage pendant lights are hung with nautical-style rope.

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First Floor Master Suite

For the effect of wallpaper at a fraction of the price, a graphic floral stencil was used on the back wall of the first floor master bedroom. Mirrored round night tables, jute floor coverings, and a long wooden bench at the foot of the bed add interest and texture to the room. The headboard is covered in a soft blue linen slipcover that can easily be tossed in the washing machine.

Stencil Paint Color: Crimson Glow #2011-5 by Valspar  
Stencil Pattern Created by Whitewall & Co.  

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Master Suite Details

Two vintage suitcases stacked on top of each other create an interesting side table in a corner of the master bedroom.

Master Bathroom Doors

A wall of glass sliding doors separates the bedroom from the bathroom. Extra long white curtains that puddle on the floor can be pulled across for privacy.

Master Bath Tub

The large floating bathtub, behind the glass wall divider, invites relaxation and serenity.

Master Bath Vanity

Feminine accessories, such as the shell-encrusted mirror, add softness to the sleek marble bath.

Downstairs Master Bedroom Porch

A small porch sits beneath the family room porch just outside the downstairs master bedroom. Set among the dunes, it’s the perfect spot for enjoying an early morning outdoors.

Upstairs Master suite

To create an architectural headboard in a boxy space, the designer created a 12-inch deep, 5-foot-high wall along the back wall. The bed, covered in a playful butterfly-patterned spread, is centered on the wall, flanked by industrial-style side tables. To add an element of age, an antique patchwork rug is laid over a textured jute rug.

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Bathroom Barn Door

An old barn door painted a bright saffron color, placed on a sliding track saves space and adds serious interest in the upstairs master suite. The bright color pops against the smoky gray color of the bathroom.

Paint Color: Spring Moss #3007-3A by Valspar

Upstairs Master Bath

Bright yellow towels add pops of color to the simple gray and marble bath.

Upstairs Porch

Dark woven furniture is a contrast to the pale green exterior of the house. The woven frames are made from durable resin to stand up to the corrosive salt air. Solid railings and overhanging eaves offer a sense of privacy. 

Upstairs Powder Room

Bright yellow and teal floral patterned wallpaper punches up this half bathroom. A woven window shade adds texture, while clear glass pendant lights add style.

Children's Loft

The third floor of the home is the children’s domain. Influenced by train bunk beds, the architects designed a row of three built-in beds, each lit with a marine-style sconce and closed off with curtains.

See What Designer Paige Schnell had in Mind When Designing the Kid's Space - Watch the Video  

Children's Bedding

Blue, gray, and green bedding adds color to the otherwise neutral space.

Children's Loft Storage

Built-in cubbies and drawers are great for toy storage or as a place for kids to unpack suitcases.

Children's Bath

Dark countertops contrast beautifully with the soft aqua walls in this small bathroom. A built-in shelf is perfect for storing towels just outside the walk-in shower.

Game Table

A counter-height game table allows one to see over the adjacent railings and through the windows out onto the Gulf.

Playroom

A horizontal stripe pattern in shades of aqua, green, and pink was designed to liven up the playroom walls. A day bed with two twin-sized mattresses is a great lounging sofa during the day, and can easily sleep two kids at night.

Guest Bedroom

The graphic black-and-white bedding on simple pencil post beds makes a bold statement in this tranquil guest room.

Guest Bedroom Furniture

While the beds and bed linens in this guest bedroom are more modern, a weathered dresser provides an interesting contrast.

Guest Bathroom

Darker green cabinets clash yet also work with the soft aqua walls in the guest bathroom. A crystal wall sconce adds a delicate touch.

Laundry Room

Even a completely utilitarian room like the laundry room got a dose of style with a sleek glass pendant light above the washer and dryer.

Car Port

Better suited for parking golf carts and kayaks, the open garage takes beach storage to new heights.

Fish Cleaning Sink

A space for doing some dirty work gets cleaned up with dark, chalky countertops, and painted cabinetry. A pull-down spray faucet makes cleaning fish a little easier. Galvanized lights beneath a mounted surf board add more design interest.

Courtyard

Next to the garage and on the opposite side of the front porch is another outdoor living space complete with a gas fireplace.

Barbecue Grill

Across from the fireplace is a built-in barbecue grill, perfect for cooking up some super fresh fish caught in the Gulf.

More About Tarpon Run

Like what you've seen in this gorgeous beach retreat? Find out every detail from the bed linens to paint colors to curtain hardware with Southern Living's Resource Guide