Lowcountry Elegance

Interior designer Anne Pappas, the owner of Anne Pappas Interiors in Savannah, Georgia, believes that great design, by definition, exercises restraint.

When Rob and Nancy Rapp contacted her to oversee the interior design for their new home on Callawassie Island, South Carolina, Anne knew she could help. The Rapps had already retired to Florida, but fell in love with the nature-inspired lifestyle at Callawassie Island, a private 880-acre community located between Hilton Head Island and Beaufort and surrounded by water on three sides.

“Callawassie Island is serene, quiet and tucked away,” Anne explains. “It’s a place that feels very special, so I knew the Rapp home needed to reflect the incredible natural beauty of this lush coastal island.”

Robb and Nancy Rappp built a new two-story home overlooking the Okatie River and asked Anne to create luxurious Lowcountry-inspired interiors, incorporating some of their existing furniture from their Florida home. From wallpaper and window treatments to fabrics and finishes, Anne strategically blended a variety of design elements inspired by nature, carefully curating the Rapp interiors to achieve the perfect balance.

A member of Coastal Living and Southern Living ’s exclusive Designer Network, Anne helped the Rapps trade their Spanish-influenced Florida look for an elegant Lowcountry style, creating a color palette inspired by the natural landscape on Callawassie Island. Anne thoughtfully designed the Rapp home interiors around stunning panoramic views of the Okatie River and the tidal saltmash. She kept the foundational color palette simple, using neutrals as a base with subtle green, silver and blue accents that allow spectacular views of nature to take center stage.

Anne added a range of Lowcountry-inspired accents, including a hanging daybed on the wide front porch, a natural tongue-and-groove ceiling in the dining area and Savannah grey brick laid in a herringbone pattern in the mud room. A tabby fireplace outside, crafted from local shells, provided the perfect Lowcountry touch and serves as an ideal spot for the Rapps to gather with family and friends in the winter.

In the kitchen, Anne paired solid marble countertops with mossy green custom cabinets. Expansive marble counters, overscale mirrors and stately sconces allow the natural light to dance in the serene master bathroom, creating a spa-like feel.

An avid cook, Nancy studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and wanted to make sure the kitchen received extra special attention in the design. Combining Anne’s vision and Nancy’s passion, the centerpiece of the Rapp kitchen is a La Cornue gas range with a custom copper hood. The kitchen also includes an oversized butler’s pantry overlooking the river that houses organized spices, dried goods, dozens of well-used cookbooks and a door that leads to a hidden wine room under the stairs.

“The kitchen is truly the jewel piece,” Anne explains. “We incorporated sliding barn doors on either side of the stove, which lead to the hidden butler’s pantry, and created a versatile, elegant environment that’s ideal for cooking, relaxing or entertaining.”

Defined by a sense of quiet sophistication, the Rapp home incorporates stylish architectural details, finishes, fabrics and lighting that combine to create a chic sanctuary in the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Best of all, the interiors provide the perfect environment for this active retired couple to pursue their passions, visit with family and entertain friends.

“The greatest reward is the fact that Rob and Nancy enjoy every moment in their new home on Callawassie Island,” Anne says. “To me, interior design is about much more than just furniture, furnishings or lighting. I love helping clients elevate their style and live their best life.”