A Place to Call Home

The Gaultney Residence in Churchill Oaks

By Caitlyn Burrus | Photography by Jack Gardner

The canopy of grand live oaks and beside the still waters of a peaceful pond, the Gaultney residence in Santa Rosa Beach’s Churchill Oaks neighborhood is more than a dream home—it’s a heartfelt vision brought beautifully to life. Designed by architect Geoff Chick and built by Grand Bay Construction, the house is a serene reflection of its surroundings and its owner’s personal story.

FFor Janice Gaultney, this was more than a build—it was a lifelong dream. “I was excited about the opportunity to build my first home from the ground up,” she shares. “I knew of Geoff Chick’s extraordinary work and his use of light and space, and I sought him out to design my new home.” The result is a home that feels both intentional and effortless, timeless yet deeply personal.

The unique shape of the lot posed an early design challenge, with its narrow street frontage and wider rear. But for Chick, this became the project’s greatest gift. “We had to stretch the living space sideways across the back of the lot, which allowed us to create large, double-stacked porches that fully embrace the views to the lake,” he explains.

Those porches quickly became Janice’s favorite place to unwind and connect. “When I sit out there to read or relax, someone always stops by to chat,” she says. “It reminds me of my grandmother’s front porch, where neighbors gathered before air conditioning and TV.”

Inside, the home is airy and light-filled, anchored by wide plank floors, French doors with transoms, and a vaulted ceiling in the great room. “We used the attic space to create an uplifting sanctuary upstairs,” says Chick. “It’s a wonderful space to entertain, full of natural light.”

Janice, who has a keen eye as a representative for her daughter’s design company, The Drapery Room, acted as her own decorator and selected every detail—from the door handles to the lighting. She worked closely with builder Chris Burch and his team at Grand Bay Construction on bringing her vision to life. “They were incredibly easy to work with and made sure I was involved in every decision,” she says. Grand Bay Construction sourced gorgeous impact-rated Jeld-Wen windows, tile and hardwood flooring from Sellers Tile, and more products that not only look beautiful but also stand up to the coastal environment and weather.

Now settled in, Janice cherishes not only her home but also the lifestyle that Churchill Oaks offers. “I love the boardwalks, the Bay, the trails—and my lovely new neighbors,” she says. “It’s everything I hoped it would be.”

With every beam and brick, the Gaultney residence honors not only Janice’s dream but also the memory of her late husband. “This home is an homage to him,” she says. “He would have loved living here.”

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Visit ChurchillOaksLife.com to learn more about this community, plus GeoffChick.com, GrandBayConstruction.com, and TheDraperyRoom.com for more information on the team behind this lovely new home.