fbpx vie magazine subscribe button

Beautiful, Bespoke Interiors

By Jordan Staggs | Photography by Brittany Godbee

“I think the biggest compliment I can ever receive is that Baker Design Co. does not have an ascribable signature look,” says interior designer Libby Baker Speight, who embarked upon her design career in 2006 after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi. “When we execute a job from start to finish, we work to bring out an individual or brand’s style through innovative design.”

A clean slate is where she says all her projects begin, and she works closely with each client, be it an architect, homeowner, builder, or business, to determine the style and functionality needed for their lifestyle. Homes, offices, or other spaces should be both pleasing to the eye and easy to maneuver in, helping to make life a seamless relationship between interiors and the people who will be in them.

From spec homes to commercial projects, Speight has designed numerous projects in the communities along Scenic Highway 30-A on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Some of her most recognizable projects include Black Bear Bread Co. in Grayton Beach and 30A Smiles dental office in Inlet Beach, plus multiple private residences. One recent project, a gorgeous home nicknamed “I’m Yours, No Refunds,” is located in the gated Burnt Pine golf community within Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Speight says the homeowners put a lot of trust in her to execute this complete renovation of the existing home, which they had recently purchased when they hired Baker Design Co.

“We had only met through the real estate agents—Chris Abbott and Corey Ledbetter of Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty—on the project,” Speight says, “but when the owners gave us minimal direction, we ran with it! This home has had about five different owners until now, each with a different style expressed throughout. The new owners were interested in timeless style and longevity, leaving no detail untouched. We also wanted to make it fun and playful, like the clients’ sense of humor.”

The homeowners love the water, and the outdoors inspired the home’s blue-and-green palette. “The wife grew up in South Florida, so water and natural light were important to her,” the designer shares. “The husband’s wish list included quality products and character. He loves items with history and a story. We incorporated several vintage items throughout the home in prominent places—one to note was a 1920s green turtle shell procured from an estate in Chicago. It is currently displayed in the dining room on the shell wall. A few others are the reclaimed barn door from Europe in the master bedroom, the vintage porthole we incorporated into the butler’s pantry door, and several vintage maritime accessories like brass propellers, life vests, flippers, and more, which we grouped into collections for wall art.”

“When we execute a job from start to finish, we work to bring out an individual or brand’s style through innovative design.”

Family was also a central focus for the clients, who wanted to ensure the home was welcoming, with areas designed for everyone to gather in without feeling crowded. “We focused on making the outdoor space super entertainment-friendly,” Speight says. “We added a cabana area with a hanging daybed for relaxing close to the action, a fire pit and seating area down by the hot tub, and a TV nearby for a fun football-watching spot. We also opened up the existing kitchen layout to make a large family gathering spot away from the more formal living room. It’s an awesome spot for entertaining and watching the grandkids in the pool from a splash-free zone.”

Many of the art and accessories came from local shops or vendors, Speight shares. This is a feature in all Baker Design Co. projects. “As a designer and small business owner, it is always important for me to make sure we support other local businesses as much as possible while still achieving the desired look for the client,” she explains. “We achieved that goal in this house with the local art throughout the home and by working with custom local craftsmen for the cabinetry and the metalwork.” Art pieces by Allison Wickey, Mark Little, Bradley Copeland, and Katherine Wirth (of Atlanta) adorn the home. Local artisans involved include Creative Metalworks, cabinetry by William Whaley of Custom Re-Creations & Millwork, Sellers Tile, landscape design by Callie Barker of Callie & Co. and installation by Brad Davis, and contracting by JD Coleman of Coleman Renovation + Remodeling.

“I’m Yours, No Refunds” is also a smart home with technology integrated throughout, such as hidden USB ports and charging areas in the kitchen island and the sectional sofa in the family room.

Speight, along with her junior designer Kaitlyn Gosse and director of logistics and procurement Rachel Whaley, can undoubtedly be proud of the result: a colorful, playful-yet-timeless residence that combines beauty, form, and function.

— V —


Visit BakerDesignCo.com to learn more or see more projects.



Read Responsibly

December 2023, Holiday Issue, Christmas, VIE Magazine, Lisa Burwell, Cover, Gift Guide, Holidays
Marisol Gullo, Not Too Shabby, Home, Decor, Interior Design, Santa Rosa Beach, Churchill Oaks
VIE Magazine September 2023 Jay Mercado
VIE Magazine - The Art & Design Issue November 2021
VIE Magazine January 2021 Special Commemorative Edition
VIE Magazine September 2020 Wanderlust Issue, Fancy Camps, The Idea Boutique
VIE Magazine August 2020 Art & Culture Issue, Nathan Alan Yoakum Art
VIE Magazine - Architecture & Design Issue - July 2020
VIE Magazine - Decor and Home Issue - June 2020
VIE Magazine May 2020 Entertainment Issue, Leslie Odom Jr
VIE Magazine - April 2020 Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine March 2020 The Fashion Edit, VONDOM, Alys Beach Fl, Digital Graffiti, Tres Chic, isidro dunbar Modern Interiors, Digital Graffiti Festival
VIE Magazine February 2020 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Travel Issue - January 2020 - Tanzania Safari Cover
VIE Magazine - Women's Issue - December 2019 - Tina Brown Cover
VIE NOV19 Goodness Issue
VIE Magazine, September 2019 Art & Culture Issue, Paul Hanninen
VIE Magazine - August 2019 - The Architecture and Design Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2019 - The Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - June 2019 - Fashion Edit
VIE Magazine - May 2019 - Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine - April 2019 - The Health & Wellness Issue
VIE Magazine - Special Entertainment Edition - March 2019
VIE Magazine February 2019 Luxury Homes & Technology Issue with Robbie Antonio of Revolution Precrafted
VIE Magazine - January 2019 - Southern Sophisticate Issue Cover
VIE Magazine - Special Anniversary Travel Edition - December 2018
VIE Magazine - The Goodness Issue - November 2018
VIE Magazine - The Art & Culture Issue - October 2018
VIE Magazine - Home & Garden Issue - September 2018
VIE Magazine - August 2018 Animal Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2018 Architecture & Design Issue - Subscribe to the magazine!
VIE Magazine - June 2018 Travel & Tech Issue
VIE Magazine - May 2018 Couture Issue
VIE Magazine - The Culinary Issue - April 2018 Cover - Chef James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst
VIE Magazine - The Entertainers Issue - March 2018
VIE Magazine - February 2018 Destination Travel Issue
VIE Magazine - January 2018 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine, The Sophisticate Issue, December 2017
VIE Magazine - November 2017 Art & Culture Issue
VIE Magazine - October 2017 Home & Garden Issue
VIE Magazine | September 2017 | The Stories and Storytellers Issue
VIE Magazine - The Adventure Issue - August 2017
VIE Magazine - July 2017 - Art & Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - The Voyager Issue - June 2017
VIE magazine 2017 March-April Cover South Walton Fashion Week
VIE Magazine - January/February 2017 - The Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016 The Sophisticate Issue
christian siriano vie magazine september october 2016 vie magazine
the modern minimalist issue
Summertime!
the culinary and couture issue march april 2016 vie magazine
the voyager issue alys beach vie magazine january february 2016
cultural issue vie magazine november december 2015
home and garden issue vie magazine september october 2015
the art and style issue vie magazine july august 2015
the wedding issue 2015 May June vie magazine
the food and fashion issue vie magazine march april 2015
the travel issue vie magazine january february 2015
the music issue vie magazine 2014 november december
The Animal Issue vie magazine september october 2014
the home and garden issue vie magazine july august 2014
the wedding issue vie magazine may june 2014
emeril lagasse food and fashion vie magazine
the men's issue january february 2014
the music issue november december 2013 vie magazine
the home and garden issue 2013 october september
the wedding issue vie magazine july august 2013
the artist issue may june 2013 vie magazine
the food and fashion issue march april 2013
the men's issue january february 2013 vie magazine
The Holiday Issue
the love issue july august 2012
the all american summer may june 2012
the entertainment issue march april 2012
the fashion issue vie magazine winter 2011
the home and garden issue vie magazine fall 2011
the anniversary edition vie magazine summer 2011
the wedding issue vie magazine spring 2011
vie magazine the holiday issue 2010 Dec
vintage swimsuits vie magazine 2010 Fall
judith march designer vie magazine summer 2010
wedding giveaway vie magazine spring 2010
holiday gift guide vie magazine winter 2009
emarketing explosion vie magazine fall 2009
tribute to mother's day vie magazine summer 2009
james and robert redford vie magazine spring 2009
zz top vie magazine fall winter 2008
project dreams vie magazine new york fashion week
Sign-up for VIEmail

Sign up for VIEmail


X

A LIFESTYLE