A Class Act Leads the Way

Lovelace Interiors Has Been Making Homes Beautiful for 29 Years Strong

By Lisa Marie Burwell | Photography by Hunter Burgtorf

A storied career spanning nearly three decades has fostered a reputation for exquisite interior design, with projects across Dallas, Aspen, New Orleans, and the gorgeous Gulf Coast of Florida. Headquartered in what can only be described as an architectural hamlet unlike any other, Susan Lovelace and her eponymous business, Lovelace Interiors, are based in Inlet Beach, Florida, near the notable New Urbanism communities of Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, and more. Her legacy as a trailblazer, businesswoman, mentor, leader, and consummate professional is to her credit as she continues to build her brand in the area and beyond.

I’ve known Susan since before she opened the doors of her first showroom in Miramar Beach, Florida, in 1995. It was housed in an expansive two-story building designed by architect Jeff Prescott in a style you could describe as emulating the New Orleans French Quarter. This history of friendship and as colleagues gives me a bird’s-eye view into Susan’s remarkable career. None of us escape the ebb and flow of life’s ups and downs, and she is no exception; still, with the grace, dignity, and fortitude that are her hallmarks, this stalwart has courageously braved and won her battle against breast cancer, raised a blended family of six handsome and successful men, and sadly said farewell to the love of her life three years ago when her husband passed away from a long battle with cancer. Dewitt “Sparky” Lovelace was her cheerleader, confidante, partner in life and business, and a true Southern gentleman. Since this happened during COVID-19, very few could properly say their goodbyes to this remarkable man. Through it all, Susan has faced life head-on and with supernatural strength. She faced grief and began healing, and now, as she enters a new chapter in her life, she makes it all look easy—a testament to her courage, class, and unabashed love of having fun.

Through Lovelace Interiors, Susan aims to support and elevate her employees to carry on her legacy of good character, talent, skill, and work ethic. Enter the licensed interior designers Lindsay Cannon and Karen Sinclair Kerns, who have worked for Susan for several years and designed this fabulous home on the Gulf of Mexico in Alys Beach. The homeowners have worked with Susan on several projects since 2015. Under her tutelage, the dream team of Lindsay and Karen redesigned the interiors of this masterpiece that anyone would love to call home.

“This house is a real architectural showpiece,” says Lindsay. “We were given the fun job of enhancing the architectural elements by bringing the exterior colors inside. Our clients love pops of bright and bold color, so we incorporated this concept throughout.”

One thing that sets this home apart is the use of custom bedding, furniture, and draperies sourced through the vendors at Lovelace Interiors. “Our clients wanted things outside the normal ‘Alys Beach box,’” Lindsay explains, “so we used our creativity to develop a cohesive design concept.”

Some of the Lovelace team’s favorite manufacturers found throughout the project include Ambella Home, Bernhardt, and Vanguard upholstery lines, which Karen says the clients fell in love with when Lovelace Interiors selected them for their previous projects. Many custom pieces and special furniture and decor also set the tone for the serene beach retreat with a contemporary twist. Pieces from Modern History, John Richard, Regina Andrews, Visual Comfort, and many others grace its rooms, along with custom bedding, pillows, and draperies. “We used materials from Fabricut, Clarke & Clarke, Zinc, Osborne & Little, Stout, and Romo, along with bedding from Ann Gish and Eastern Accents,” says Karen.

When Susan and Lindsay worked with these clients on a new construction home in Watersound Beach in 2015, little did they know they would be setting the stage for this masterpiece on the Gulf nearly a decade later. “We defined every interior element of that Watersound home, from stair railings to custom furniture, lighting, draperies, and final accessories,” Lindsay recalls. “It was a home that reflected their lives and personalities. We grew to know their tastes and preferences. When they unexpectedly sold it, they contacted us to help with additional properties in Rosemary Beach and Fairhope, Alabama, over the years. We were so excited to work on this Alys Beach property with them and help them to make this house their perfect vacation home.”

Karen says she and Lindsay were immediately drawn to the breathtaking architecture and views of the Gulf when they first walked the property. The home was designed by Khoury Vogt Architects, helmed by Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt, the Town Architects of Alys Beach. In partnership with Hufham Farris Construction, KVA created a gorgeous landmark house just steps from the beach, the Gulf Green, and the Beach Club at Alys Beach. Architectural millwork details by E. F. San Juan create focal points around the home, such as the incredible ipe wood columns and archways that frame the view from the second-floor deck and great room. Loewen Lift and Slide doors, also supplied by E. F. San Juan, offer the owners a genuine indoor-outdoor living experience as they can embrace the beauty of the landscape and horizon. The team at Lovelace Interiors wanted to reflect the bountiful scenery while creating some fun moments inside the home.

No detail was spared in furnishing and decorating this one-of-a-kind retreat.

“We were taken aback by the architectural details, incredible views, and open space plan,” Karen says. “The home had so much potential, and we couldn’t wait to start. Our client’s love for color allowed us to curate a design that stepped away from the typical monochromatic beach color palette. The amount of natural light enabled us to bring in rich yet tranquil materials and art that would accentuate the space without feeling too dramatic.”

She continues, “We fell in love with the Modern History dining table and knew we had to use it in the great room. It turned out to be such a beautiful statement, especially when set with the Annieglass tableware. The Windy O’Connor pillows on the center settee were so colorful and fun. All the walls had floor-to-ceiling windows, leaving little space to hang anything, so we loved how the pillows felt like artwork. The main sitting area had our client’s favorite Ambella Home upholstery and a custom acrylic-leg ottoman that was perfect for the space.”

Of course, there are a few places to hang art, and Karen and Lindsay were particularly excited to commission local artist Allison Wickey to create a piece that now hangs above the guest bed. “She incorporated all the colors from the bedding and hanging light fixtures seamlessly,” says Karen.

Lindsay expounds on the light fixtures throughout the house, saying, “The lighting elements set the tone for this home. They are minimalistic, spotlighting the architectural elements without taking away from their beauty.”

Karen adds, “We wanted to procure the perfect light fixtures that would create a harmonious ambience and emphasize the unique ceiling details by KVA. At night, they capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.”

No detail was spared in furnishing and decorating this one-of-a-kind retreat, from the luxurious third-floor master suite to the ground-floor guest bed and plunge pool area. The home includes a bunk room, two more guest bedrooms, a TV room and wet bar, and a bright hallway lounge, among many other thoughtful spaces tucked into a relatively narrow footprint and expertly configured by the architectural team.

Lindsay, Karen, and Susan all agree that it was a thrill to work with their longtime clients and friends to make this home feel like it suits their personality and lifestyle. “When you work with clients on multiple projects, you not only get to know their design style but how they use the home on a personal level,” Lindsay explains. “You are able to create nooks and spaces that cater to the family’s needs.”

Spending the day photographing this home overlooking gorgeous views for miles around, I couldn’t help but admire the artistry and craftsmanship by E. F. San Juan, with their white oak interior doors gracing nearly every room and ipe elements adorning the exterior like jewelry. Marveling at the creativity and talent of Khoury Vogt Architects, Hufham Farris Construction, and all those who define the Alys Beach townscape is nothing short of amazing. Then, seeing the newly imagined interiors brought forth by the Lovelace team created a moment when I paused and reflected on how blessed we are to call this area home. Seeing the community of Alys Beach, master-planned by DPZ CoDesign, who put the town of Seaside on the map where the New Urbanism movement was birthed, is something not many people get to see. Those of us who are fortunate to live and work in this area can see the evolution of ideas turned into reality, thanks to stewards of excellence in all facets of placemaking. This was a very good day.

Bravo to all who played their respective roles in making this masterpiece and the Lovelace Interiors team who transformed this place into a home befitting its new owners.

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To learn more about Lovelace Interiors or request a design consultation, visit LovelaceInteriors.com, follow them on Instagram @lovelaceinteriors, or stop by the showroom at 13625 Highway 98 East in Inlet Beach, Florida.