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A Home Full of Love

March 2025

Serenity in Alys Beach

Interview by Jordan Staggs | Photography by Brittany Godbee

Interior designer Libby Baker Speight’s inspiration sparked when a friend at Sellers Tile in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, recommended her to help complete this stunning Alys Beach residence near the Gulf. Working closely with builder Hufham Farris Construction and Domin Bock Architects, Baker Design Co. came aboard to curate serene, breezy interiors throughout the home.

Situated in the well-known, architecturally stunning New Urbanism community nestled between a nature preserve and pristine white-sand beaches, the home reflects its locale and the laid-back yet luxurious lifestyle of Alys Beach. VIE was thrilled to get more insight from Baker Design Co. on the design process!

VIE: What was your inspiration for this home’s interior design?

Libby Baker Speight: The inspiration for this home’s design stems from the interplay of high contrast and a primarily neutral color palette, creating a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Rich organic textures add warmth and depth. The design embraces a harmonious blend of light and dark, where layered neutrals provide a timeless backdrop, allowing the textures to take center stage. We wanted their space to feel sophisticated and grounded, offering a modern yet comfortable retreat.

VIE: What were the owners’ top desires for the interiors?

LBS: Everything had to be pet-friendly—they have three Labs! That was the top request. They also wanted easy living and low-maintenance items in the home. We were able to get performance fabrics on pretty much every piece of upholstery and all the pillows so they could be easily cleaned and maintained, even if the pups had an accident or a little mud on their paws from their walks. We also layered indoor-outdoor rugs with plush rugs to achieve maximum pet friendliness. The family also includes three daughters, one of which I share a name with. I knew we were well-paired when I learned they had a Libby, too. It felt serendipitous!

VIE: What do you love most about designing in Alys Beach?

LBS: Everything in Alys is very tonal, so layering unexpected patterns and textures is essential in these homes! They are architecturally so beautifully designed that simplicity seems to be the best fitting dress for interiors, in my opinion.

VIE: Tell us a little about the team members who worked on this gorgeous home.

LBS: The builder and architects were fantastic to work and collaborate with! It was truly a lovely experience. Ron Domin of Domin Bock Architects was the architect (and a previous neighbor of the clients), and the builder was Hufham Farris. The builder had their own army of trades that were great to work with, so we only brought the wallpaper installer to the table. Shawn and Tonya Steele of Natural Art Wallcovering installed all the lovely wallpapers in the master study, the laundry room, and the bunk room breakfast bar. Sellers Tile supplied all the tile and wood.

VIE: How did it feel walking through the completed home and seeing all your hard work come to fruition?

LBS: It was actually a little bittersweet! We enjoyed being part of the design team so much. There were a lot of feelings of pride and accomplishment. I was brought into the fold when the home was already under construction, so being able to jump right in and work seamlessly with an already-in-motion team was very rewarding!

VIE: What’s coming up next for Baker Design Co. this year?

LBS: We have several new exciting projects in the pipeline spanning up and down Scenic Highway 30-A and the Gulf Coast. Our current project portfolio is full of custom new builds, ambitious remodels, and some high-end residential spec homes. We are very thankful to have a fruitful workload!