Artful Living

Chancey Design Builds a Masterpiece

By Jordan Staggs

“It’s hard to separate work from life sometimes,” says architect Walt Chancey on working and owning Chancey Architecture and Interior Design with his wife and residential interiors expert, Sandra. “We’ve worked together every single day for four decades, so there’s no clear line between the two. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s a balancing act—sometimes you have to remind yourself to take a break and not talk shop for a bit.”

Sandra agrees but adds that the pros can certainly outweigh the challenges of being married business owners. “We’re on the same wavelength,” she explains. “There’s no need for constant back and forth. We have shared goals, shared values, and a mutual respect for each other’s expertise. And honestly, we just enjoy being around each other. We know each other better than anyone else, so when it comes to making design decisions, we’re incredibly efficient and in tune.”

The pair met in Panama City Beach, Florida, during spring break one year when Walt was working at the Spinnaker Beach Club, which his brother, who also was an architect, owned at the time. Walt grew up in Enterprise, Alabama, and following in his brother’s footsteps, enrolled in the architecture program at Auburn University. Sandra, a freshman planning to pursue a career in the medical field, met Walt when she also began working at the Spinnaker that spring. Upon Walt’s return to Auburn that summer, Sandra made weekly trips to visit him and was enthralled with the architecture program. Subsequently, her passion for design grew, and their relationship blossomed. Sandra joined Walt in Auburn’s architecture program the following year.

“It was a serendipitous moment when we realized our passions were aligned—architecture and interior design,” Sandra recalls. “Interior design, architecture, and landscape architecture students worked side by side in the design studio for the first two years. That time was by far the most formative for me. I enjoyed the creativity, concept planning, problem-solving, and aesthetic applications to shaping an environment.”

After college, Walt and Sandra moved to Tampa. “We took jobs working for commercial design firms, which became a great foundation in many ways. A recession hit in the early 1990s, and we decided to branch off. Our journey led us to start Chancey Architecture and Interior Design. Our shared vision made the decision to become a design duo an easy one, and now, forty years later, we still love working together.”

The Chanceys’ stunning residential architecture across Florida and beyond is a testament to how well the pair works together, alongside their team of design professionals based in Tampa and Seagrove Beach, Florida. One of their most special projects that shows Walt and Sandra’s personal taste, design prowess, and values is their recently completed personal getaway in the picturesque Gulf Coast town of Alys Beach.

“Alys Beach has always felt like a bit of a fantasy world to us—there’s something truly special about the place,” Walt emphasizes. “It’s both familiar and unlike anywhere else, with its unique architecture and stunning natural surroundings. For us, the inspiration behind our home was a desire to create something that blends seamlessly with the beauty of the area but also offers a sense of escape and peace. We wanted a space that was timeless and felt like it belonged here yet was also uniquely ours—a reflection of both our design philosophy and lifestyle.”

Situated on a prime corner lot south of Scenic Highway 30-A and adjacent to the award-winning Turtle Bale Green, the contemporary home fits seamlessly within the famous white-on-white aesthetic of Alys Beach but nonetheless stands out in style as more sleek and modern than many of its neighbors. The Chanceys say when they found the lot for sale—not only in a perfect spot on a footpath leading straight to the beach but zoned for a four-story tower home with endless views—they knew it was “a gem.” They soon claimed it as their own.

“We love being close to the action, and the idea of stepping out our front door and walking directly to the beach was something we couldn’t pass up,” says Sandra, a self-proclaimed extrovert who attributes her love of people and diverse cultures to her upbringing. Having been born in Japan, her early sources of inspiration are the many travels she experienced while her father was in the U.S. Air Force. “We designed the house to have large, open spaces where we could easily entertain and connect with others. There’s even a balcony off our bedroom where we’ve been known to greet people as they pass by. We’re part of the community here, and that’s been a huge part of the appeal.”

Unlike designing a home for a client, this Alys Beach getaway belongs to the designers themselves—a place where they can embrace their unique style and experiment with new ideas.

“Initially, we started this home as a development opportunity, looking at it through the lens of a potential project for a client,” Walt shares. “But then, Sandra fell in love with the lot and the idea of it, and that’s when everything shifted. Once we realized this was going to be our personal getaway, we decided to customize it to fit our exact vision and needs.”

Sandra continues, “The design process became far more personal. We wanted every detail to reflect our style and values, and we had the freedom to really explore what would make the space truly ours—adding little touches that would make it feel like a sanctuary for us. Alys Beach’s charm is undeniable. We designed the home to connect with the landscape while giving us the space to live, entertain, and enjoy life fully. The towering structure and rooftop deck were the perfect way to capture the magnificent views of the beach and the vibrant town below. It’s the ideal place to take in the sunrise, sunset, and starry nights—those moments of quiet beauty that we cherish.”

Playing off the view of Turtle Bale Green just outside their door, the Chanceys named the home Vue Tortue (French for “Turtle View”). They love the backdrop of the park, which is often full of life, with families and children stopping by to splash in the fountain, take photos, and enjoy time together outdoors.

The couple wanted to reflect that joie de vivre indoors and out, designing the home to be bright and open, embracing the natural world while allowing for a private retreat when desired. The interiors were inspired by a fresh, seaside modern aesthetic with hints of Mediterranean and South of France style, which complements Alys Beach’s signature architecture. One of their favorite spaces in the home, the first-floor living room, boasts large windows to take advantage of ample natural light and further bring the outdoors in. “The lounge just inside the living room windows is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the park views,” says Sandra. “The neutral, sculptural furnishings and soft curves create a serene flow, connecting the space beautifully with the surrounding landscape. It’s where we feel most at ease and connected to the environment.”

Our work has always been about creating spaces that make sense and feel beautiful—a journey that has been intertwined with our lives together, whether we were at Auburn, working summers in Panama City, or exploring the world.

Another favorite spot in the home, the rooftop lounge, was all about blending form and function—a core value of Chancey Design’s practice. They worked to enhance the views through thoughtful design: “To soften the home’s sharp, perpendicular lines, we added an arched chimney cap and a curved stairway wall, which not only creates a more organic flow but also echoed the Bermudan rooftops in the distance. Even though the home has a working chimney, we decided to install a fire pit on the rooftop deck. This choice allows for a more social, open space where guests can gather around the flames, relax, and take in the incredible views, making it the perfect spot for both intimate moments and larger gatherings. The ultimate goal was to create a space where people can come together and truly enjoy their surroundings, whether it’s sunset cocktails, the view, or just the atmosphere.”

The Chanceys worked with Arkon Group, a homebuilding firm in Santa Rosa Beach, to bring their vision to life. “Arkon has been a reliable partner on many projects here, so we knew they’d bring the right attention to detail and expertise to the table,” says Walt.

Chancey and Arkon have seamlessly integrated their systems and procedures over the last several years while working on many of Chancey Design’s projects in Alys Beach. The designers have a similarly integrated relationship with Galvas Construction—relationships that help them produce homes of high quality and finish with cost efficiencies and an increased speed of construction. Several of their Alys Beach projects are in progress and will be completed by the end of 2025, and they’re excited for the opportunity to share their home away from home with new neighbors in such a special place.

“The beauty of the community and the stunning architecture there really draws us in, and it’s been such a rewarding experience to contribute to its growth,” says Sandra. “No matter which project we’re working on in Alys Beach, our focus is on maintaining harmony with the surroundings and respecting the overall vision of the community.”

With a style they describe as “adaptable, clean, natural, and functional,” the Chanceys and their team have made a name for themselves not only along Scenic Highway 30-A but throughout Florida by embracing the “art of living” in every project, big or small. They hope to continue their work not only designing luxury residences but also helping find affordable and attainable housing solutions in Florida.

No matter the project, the pair says, “Our work has always been about creating spaces that make sense and feel beautiful—a journey that has been intertwined with our lives together, whether we were at Auburn, working summers in Panama City, or exploring the world.”

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Visit ChanceyDesign.com and follow @chanceyarchitecture and @chanceyinteriordesign on Instagram to see more of their beautiful designs. This stunning home is available to rent via Alys Beach Vacations. Visit Vacation.AlysBeach.com and search “29 Fairwind Lane” to book your stay.