Haute Home

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Style

Leading Designers Agree SPRING Never Goes Out of STYLE. 

Create the perfect space for the new season, and pair with the latest looks. 

Where HOME meets FASHION.

By Anna Cheshire Levitan

Photography by Gavin Sellers Creative

All About Green

Step Into Spring’s Welcome Oasis at Dutchmans Casual Living

Enter Dutchmans Casual Living on St. Simons Island and be transported to a breathtaking oasis. Filled with welcome touches of spring and the abundance of green, a design trend, Dutchman’s owner and creative director Stephanie Nieuwendjik couldn’t be happier.

“Green is our color,” she beams, “and my favorite color—I’m just excited about color!”

“Green is a big spring trend right now. Especially in upholstery. Everyone is so used to having a neutral beige sofa, but we’re popping in some color with green velvet and some teal as well.”

—Stephanie Nieuwendjik, Owner Dutchmans Casual Living

Standing in the center of her 6,600 square foot retail space, surrounded by vibrant décor items, custom furniture, and signature statement pieces, Stephanie’s effervescent personality and relaxed demeanor (she’s originally from Sydney, Australia) reflects a guiding principle of her successful and growing brand: bring color to home and life. 

Stephanie launched Dutchmans in 2000 in Highlands, North Carolina, and opened the St. Simons store and design service in 2009. Now with five locations across North Carolina and Georgia and projects across the country, including the interiors for Hotel Simone, Stephanie is especially excited about Dutchmans’design services, whether for a small refresh or full-scale interior design plan. 

“If you’re just starting the design process, it can be so overwhelming,” Stephanie shares, “we can help you with all the decision-making.”

Dutchman’s offers design consultations in-person, by video and phone. The process includes meeting with design consultants who create everything to bring your vision and style preferences to life, from detailed mood boards to complete floor plans.

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Inspiration from Dutchmans

Island dreaming with seashells and coral. A dragonfly, patterns, and natural textures with touches of green. Dutchmans' style inspired by nature and coastal living. 

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Dutchmans Casual Living St. Simons Island

 “If you’re just putting one room together, we’re happy to help you focus on that one space which might be your sanctuary,” explains Stephanie. “Likewise, we can work with you through all the options from the ground up, including draperies and accessories – we do it all!”

Southern Charm

Sweat's Furniture partners with Heather Jowers of Rae Lane Interiors to create timeless design.

Sweat's Furniture, the oldest and largest furniture retailer in the area, is a cornerstone of our coastal community. With decades of experience in the industry, owner Dwight Sweat, along with son Jonathan, represent the second and third generation at the helm of this family-owned business. 

“Providing quality home furnishing solutions is what we’re passionate about,” says Dwight Sweat, “whether it be a long- or first-time resident.” 

“We’re so fortunate and blessed to live in a beautiful community. I love meeting folks from all over the country who are moving here permanently or with a second home.”

—Dwight Sweat

For a stunning new residence in Frederica Township, Sweat's partners with Heather Nichols Jowers of Rae Lane Interiors to create Southern Charm for the home’s Alabama owners. 

 “We’ve partnered with Heather on countless projects in Coastal Georgia and North Florida,” Dwight shares, “she has extreme talent and vision and is a joy to work with.” 

To gauge style and design preferences, Jowers met with the owners, always the first and most important step in the process. “We spent time together early on, talking about the way they live, their routines, and things they love,” she explains. 

For the office, directly off the home’s main entrance, Jowers started from the ground up. 

“My color palette really started with the rug,” shares Jowers. “The owners have a horse farm in Alabama so that inspired me to select this wallpaper with a Chinoiserie feel. I also wanted to have modern pieces incorporated with a timeless burlwood desk — I wanted the room to be fun and gorgeous.”  

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Office Inspiration

Layered Southern charm, where velvets, heritage patterns, and meaningful objects create a space that feels storied, unique, and beautifully lived in.

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Dining Table Inspiration

Relaxed with soft blues, greens, and corals. Mix of caning, crisp linens and oyster plate bring sculptural interest for a collected but welcoming feel, deeply rooted in Southern tradition. 

For the dining room, Jowers presented a design “deeply rooted in Southern tradition,” opting for soft blues, greens, and corals. Caning, crisp linens and an oyster plate “bring in sculptural interest,” she adds. “It makes the room feel not only collected but welcoming.”

Signature Serenity

The calm palettes of the perfect spring morning come to life at Restoration Imports. 

Understated, approachable, coastal-inspired luxury—Restoration Imports’ 10,000 square foot design and retail space simply takes your breath away. Located at 125 Gary L. Moore Court on St. Simons Island, shoppers and design clients who enter experience calm palettes and soothing tones, akin to the perfect spring morning on the coast.

Be prepared to spend hours roaming through curated collections of furniture, rugs, home accessories, and gifts, designed for easy, elegant living. Restoration Imports promises an elevated experience, something co-owner Brittney Knight, along with her mother, legendary design expert Mary Knight, call the “Carte Blanche” way of living. 

“We love creating the kind of store where someone can find the perfect sofa, a meaningful wedding or housewarming gift, or simply experience what we like to call the ‘Carte Blanche’ approach to living beautifully.” 

Brittney Knight, Restoration Imports

For spring design trends, Brittney sees “interiors soften with layered neutrals, washed blues, vintage-inspired rugs, and natural textures that feel collected rather than decorated.” 

She adds, “One of the easiest seasonal refreshes is updating custom pillows, lamps, faux botanicals—small changes that instantly make a space feel lighter and ready for spring.” 

Design clients receive custom attention as they begin to visualize and create a space, or even an entire home, resulting in original, statement-making style.  

“Our clients love that they receive the support of an entire design team, and that our design services are complimentary when they purchase from us,” says Brittney.

“From selecting a single piece to designing an entire room, we help create homes that feel intentional, layered, and beautifully complete.” 

And the most unexpected aspect of treasure hunting at Restoration Imports? Brittney smiles, “Beautiful costume jewelry that feels special without the luxury price tag!” 

Models: Taylor Crawford and Anna Bryce Nalley

Taylor Crawford’s Hair by 3 Brin Salon

Anna Bryce Nalley’s Hair by Hanna McBridge

Make-up by Gerald Dampier, Glam King