Both upstairs bathrooms feature double vanities, stone or granite counters, and plenty of storage—including linen closets where they belong. The primary bath gets a walk-in shower, while the secondary bath offers a tub/shower combo so you’ve got flexibility for guests or kids. Every surface—from tile to fixtures—was planned to be both easy to clean and timeless in style, so you won’t feel like it’s dated in a few years.

Remodeling your master bathroom in Calabasas offers the perfect opportunity to optimize both functionality and style. Custom features, such as built-in cabinetry and spacious shower designs, can transform an ordinary bathroom into a highly organized, luxurious retreat. I recently worked with a homeowner in Calabasas who struggled with limited storage and a dated design. By integrating custom storage cabinets and a sleek walk-in shower, we were able to create a space that not only looked great but solved their storage woes. The built-in cabinetry, combined with the shower’s marble finishes, added much-needed storage for linens, toiletries, and more, all while maintaining a clean, open layout. The result was a bathroom that was both practical for daily use and aesthetically aligned with the homeowner’s vision.

Remodeling your master bathroom in Calabasas offers the perfect opportunity to optimize both functionality and style. Custom features, such as built-in cabinetry and spacious shower designs, can transform an ordinary bathroom into a highly organized, luxurious retreat. I recently worked with a homeowner in Calabasas who struggled with limited storage and a dated design. By integrating custom storage cabinets and a sleek walk-in shower, we were able to create a space that not only looked great but solved their storage woes. The built-in cabinetry, combined with the shower’s marble finishes, added much-needed storage for linens, toiletries, and more, all while maintaining a clean, open layout. The result was a bathroom that was both practical for daily use and aesthetically aligned with the homeowner’s vision.

A once-dated primary bath is now a calm, luxurious retreat that balances historic charm with modern functionality. An antique Murano glass chandelier sets a graceful tone, highlighting custom inset cabinetry painted in Sherwin Williams Silver Plate and rift-sawn white oak linen storage with fine furniture detailing. The double vanity is topped in honed Oriental White marble, while a freestanding tub and panel molding add timeless depth. Leathered Bianco Superiore quartzite wraps the tub deck, and the shower pairs soft gray Fireclay tile with a marble mosaic floor for quiet elegance. Finishing touches like Urban Electric lighting and Classic Brass hardware lend warmth and refinement throughout.

DESIGN CHALLENGES ADDRESSED: To anyone who may be reading this project overview, I do hope you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the 'before' photo of this space. It's quite a transformation! Our homeowners purchased their condo at the beach several years ago. As shown in the 'before' photo, the casual dining area was a dark and dated space with unsightly paneled walls, heavy faux ceiling beams and odds and ends for furniture. It was cut off from the kitchen and did not lend itself for entertaining. Everything felt cramped and cluttered throughout the condo, especially this space. The client's vision was for a relaxed and welcoming dining space that would allow them to comfortably host friends and family. DESIGN SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: The entire condo was taken down to the stud. The faux beams were edited out and the ceiling raised. The heavy out-dated paneling was replaced with fresh clean walls that were painted in a calming creamy sand tone throughout the entire condo. The wall that once separated the kitchen and dining area was completely removed. This space now felt far more spacious and open. The existing heavy and out dated furniture was replaced with stylish functional pieces. Great thought was given to the size, scale and textiles used. A round table with a wonderful archectural base in a richly textured weathered driftwood finish was selected. With the option of adding an extension leaf (which converted the table into a generous rectangle) the homeowners now had the desired space to host a sizable group of guests without feeling crowded as before. Dining chairs with a 'x' back wood frame in a playful shade of kiwi and crisp striped cushions completed the look. Clean line sconces in a rich linen textile were added on either of the window for soft ambient lighting. The overall effect of the renovation was quite dramatic and the clients were thrilled with the results. This casual dining area went from being dark and dated to light and airy and is now a wonderful space that is both inviting and relaxing along with being a great place to entertain. RETAIL PROJECT PRICE: $ 5,000.00 Retail price is defined as the total sale you submitted on your sales repor

DESIGN CHALLENGES ADDRESSED: To anyone who may be reading this project overview, I do hope you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the 'before' photo of this space. It's quite a transformation! Our homeowners purchased their condo at the beach several years ago. As shown in the 'before' photo, the casual dining area was a dark and dated space with unsightly paneled walls, heavy faux ceiling beams and odds and ends for furniture. It was cut off from the kitchen and did not lend itself for entertaining. Everything felt cramped and cluttered throughout the condo, especially this space. The client's vision was for a relaxed and welcoming dining space that would allow them to comfortably host friends and family. DESIGN SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: The entire condo was taken down to the stud. The faux beams were edited out and the ceiling raised. The heavy out-dated paneling was replaced with fresh clean walls that were painted in a calming creamy sand tone throughout the entire condo. The wall that once separated the kitchen and dining area was completely removed. This space now felt far more spacious and open. The existing heavy and out dated furniture was replaced with stylish functional pieces. Great thought was given to the size, scale and textiles used. A round table with a wonderful archectural base in a richly textured weathered driftwood finish was selected. With the option of adding an extension leaf (which converted the table into a generous rectangle) the homeowners now had the desired space to host a sizable group of guests without feeling crowded as before. Dining chairs with a 'x' back wood frame in a playful shade of kiwi and crisp striped cushions completed the look. Clean line sconces in a rich linen textile were added on either of the window for soft ambient lighting. The overall effect of the renovation was quite dramatic and the clients were thrilled with the results. This casual dining area went from being dark and dated to light and airy and is now a wonderful space that is both inviting and relaxing along with being a great place to entertain. RETAIL PROJECT PRICE: $ 5,000.00 Retail price is defined as the total sale you submitted on your sales repor

DESIGN CHALLENGES ADDRESSED: To anyone who may be reading this project overview, I do hope you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the 'before' photo of this space. It's quite a transformation! Our homeowners purchased their condo at the beach several years ago. As shown in the 'before' photo, the casual dining area was a dark and dated space with unsightly paneled walls, heavy faux ceiling beams and odds and ends for furniture. It was cut off from the kitchen and did not lend itself for entertaining. Everything felt cramped and cluttered throughout the condo, especially this space. The client's vision was for a relaxed and welcoming dining space that would allow them to comfortably host friends and family. DESIGN SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: The entire condo was taken down to the stud. The faux beams were edited out and the ceiling raised. The heavy out-dated paneling was replaced with fresh clean walls that were painted in a calming creamy sand tone throughout the entire condo. The wall that once separated the kitchen and dining area was completely removed. This space now felt far more spacious and open. The existing heavy and out dated furniture was replaced with stylish functional pieces. Great thought was given to the size, scale and textiles used. A round table with a wonderful archectural base in a richly textured weathered driftwood finish was selected. With the option of adding an extension leaf (which converted the table into a generous rectangle) the homeowners now had the desired space to host a sizable group of guests without feeling crowded as before. Dining chairs with a 'x' back wood frame in a playful shade of kiwi and crisp striped cushions completed the look. Clean line sconces in a rich linen textile were added on either of the window for soft ambient lighting. The overall effect of the renovation was quite dramatic and the clients were thrilled with the results. This casual dining area went from being dark and dated to light and airy and is now a wonderful space that is both inviting and relaxing along with being a great place to entertain. RETAIL PROJECT PRICE: $ 5,000.00 Retail price is defined as the total sale you submitted on your sales repor

DESIGN CHALLENGES ADDRESSED: To anyone who may be reading this project overview, I do hope you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the 'before' photo of this space. It's quite a transformation! Our homeowners purchased their condo at the beach several years ago. As shown in the 'before' photo, the casual dining area was a dark and dated space with unsightly paneled walls, heavy faux ceiling beams and odds and ends for furniture. It was cut off from the kitchen and did not lend itself for entertaining. Everything felt cramped and cluttered throughout the condo, especially this space. The client's vision was for a relaxed and welcoming dining space that would allow them to comfortably host friends and family. DESIGN SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: The entire condo was taken down to the stud. The faux beams were edited out and the ceiling raised. The heavy out-dated paneling was replaced with fresh clean walls that were painted in a calming creamy sand tone throughout the entire condo. The wall that once separated the kitchen and dining area was completely removed. This space now felt far more spacious and open. The existing heavy and out dated furniture was replaced with stylish functional pieces. Great thought was given to the size, scale and textiles used. A round table with a wonderful archectural base in a richly textured weathered driftwood finish was selected. With the option of adding an extension leaf (which converted the table into a generous rectangle) the homeowners now had the desired space to host a sizable group of guests without feeling crowded as before. Dining chairs with a 'x' back wood frame in a playful shade of kiwi and crisp striped cushions completed the look. Clean line sconces in a rich linen textile were added on either of the window for soft ambient lighting. The overall effect of the renovation was quite dramatic and the clients were thrilled with the results. This casual dining area went from being dark and dated to light and airy and is now a wonderful space that is both inviting and relaxing along with being a great place to entertain. RETAIL PROJECT PRICE: $ 5,000.00 Retail price is defined as the total sale you submitted on your sales repor

DESIGN CHALLENGES ADDRESSED: To anyone who may be reading this project overview, I do hope you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the 'before' photo of this space. It's quite a transformation! Our homeowners purchased their condo at the beach several years ago. As shown in the 'before' photo, the casual dining area was a dark and dated space with unsightly paneled walls, heavy faux ceiling beams and odds and ends for furniture. It was cut off from the kitchen and did not lend itself for entertaining. Everything felt cramped and cluttered throughout the condo, especially this space. The client's vision was for a relaxed and welcoming dining space that would allow them to comfortably host friends and family. DESIGN SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: The entire condo was taken down to the stud. The faux beams were edited out and the ceiling raised. The heavy out-dated paneling was replaced with fresh clean walls that were painted in a calming creamy sand tone throughout the entire condo. The wall that once separated the kitchen and dining area was completely removed. This space now felt far more spacious and open. The existing heavy and out dated furniture was replaced with stylish functional pieces. Great thought was given to the size, scale and textiles used. A round table with a wonderful archectural base in a richly textured weathered driftwood finish was selected. With the option of adding an extension leaf (which converted the table into a generous rectangle) the homeowners now had the desired space to host a sizable group of guests without feeling crowded as before. Dining chairs with a 'x' back wood frame in a playful shade of kiwi and crisp striped cushions completed the look. Clean line sconces in a rich linen textile were added on either of the window for soft ambient lighting. The overall effect of the renovation was quite dramatic and the clients were thrilled with the results. This casual dining area went from being dark and dated to light and airy and is now a wonderful space that is both inviting and relaxing along with being a great place to entertain. RETAIL PROJECT PRICE: $ 5,000.00 Retail price is defined as the total sale you submitted on your sales repor

This couple moved from Chicago’s Wicker Park to a rural setting but wanted to maintain their modern aesthetic. Scott Dresner of Dresner Design created a modern spa oasis for the couple’s master bathroom. The second project completed by Scott in the couple’s home. On the client’s, wish list…a luxurious space to relax, a new window to replace the dated looking glass block, great storage for towels and larger items as well as smaller toiletries. Scott accomplished a variety of storage with deep vanity drawers with push hardware, medicine cabinets with storage on the entire wall, and a large linen closet. Finishes are modern with a hint of warmth created by the floating walnut vanity and trim work. LED light along the vanity and medicine cabinets create a soft ambience perfect for a relaxing bath. Floors are radiant heat, window treatment is motorized, and panel controls a speaker and LED lighting in the rain showerhead. Sources: -Lighting, Lucy Slivinski -Artwork, Linc Thelen -Gray Porcelain Tile, Renaissance Tile + Bath -White Porcelain Tile, Porcelainosa -Black Porcelain tile, The Tile Outlet -Mosaic Shower Floor, Porcelainosa -Bath Tub, Victoria + Albert -Tub Tray, Victoria + Albert -Bath Filler, Phylich -Regulators, Graff -Shower Head, Jaclo -Accessories, Colonial Bronze + Dezi -Rain Shower (LED lighting + music), Thermasol -Toilet, TOTO -Hand spray, Graff -Stone, Calia Stone Boutique -Stone Fabrication, Euro Marble Supply -Vanity, Mirrors, and Linen Closet, The Dresner Design Private Label Collection by De Angelis Italia -Radiant Flooring, Warmup -Linerar Drain, Infinity -Sinks, Lacava -Sink Plumbing, Graff -Window Treatment, The Shade Store -Chair, CB2

It all started with the dishwasher springing a leak while the clients were on vacation. Their home was built around 2002 and it needed to be updated. With the significant water damage it was the time to call in Arlene Ladegaard of Design Connection, Inc to help create a design plan and selections for the contractor, as well new furnishings to replace the old tired pieces that dated back many years. The bar area was a real eye sore with its large refrigerator and freezer from the over flow from the upstairs kitchen. With much creativity, the bar height countertop was lowered to counter height. The back wall was sheet rocked to allow for the massive appliances to look built in. The space needed texture, and grass cloth wall coverings was the perfect solutions. Design Connection, Inc. provided: Project Management, designs plans, tile, wall coverings, countertops tops, custom cabinets, furniture, area rugs, lamps, paint selections, faux painting and accessories.

Master Sitting Room / Dressing Room Design Team: Susan Sager Interior Design Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2016 Houzz
Bedroom - mediterranean bedroom idea in Los Angeles

These homeowners were anxiously ready to remodel their dated 80’s kitchen and reached out to Renovisions to handle the transformation. In this new undertaking we met to discuss plans to brighten the dark room with custom painted white inset cabinets, adding more functional storage, better task lighting and GE Monogram appliances, new hardwood flooring throughout and creating a better flow into the adjacent family room. In order to open up the space, Renovisions suggested creating an angle at the peninsula. Continuing with this approach we replaced the rear door with a new one-light door that swings out instead of in to accommodate new bar stools and a better flow of traffic in and out to the deck outside. Silestone’s quartz countertops in ‘Merope’ were the perfect choice adding a nice contrast yet truly durable and low maintenance. Creating a beautifully unique subway tile niche in linen color at cooktop area and backsplash added an elegant touch to the overall look and homeowners were thrilled with this refreshing look after the Renovision. Now their newly renovated kitchen is a showcase and nicely outfitted for family and friends.

These homeowners approached us with their design in mind which we were able to tweak for improved utilization of space. Their master bath was dated and required complete demolition to the studs, where we found some hidden space that we were able to use in the shower. By eliminating the tub, we were able to use that space for a large shower with custom handmade tile in a creative pattern utilizing mosaic, hexagon and accent tiles, and radiant floor heat was added to the bathroom floor for added comfort. By relocating the stool room, we were able to provide a custom extra deep linen cabinet for additional storage. His and Hers custom vanity’s in a painted Alpine finish with chocolate glaze and Cambria Windermere countertops book end the spacious shower, complete with a floating bench and niche for toiletries. Champagne Bronze plumbing fixtures and Visual Comfort sconces complement the geometric wallpaper and decorative beveled mirrors complete the eye-catching bathroom.

This kitchen took a tired, 80’s builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful client. The existing space was split up by the dated configuration of eat-in kitchen table area to one side and cramped workspace on the other. It didn’t just under-serve our client’s needs; it flat out discouraged them from using the space. Our client desired an open kitchen with a central gathering space where family and friends could connect. To open things up, we removed the half wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and the wall that blocked sight lines to the family room and created a narrow hallway to the kitchen. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and dark. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in linen white to brighten up the room. On the east wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features an appliance garage that keeps often used countertop appliance on hand but out of sight. The hutch also acts as a transition from the cooking zone to the coffee and wine area. We eliminated the north window that looked onto the entry walkway and activated this wall as storage with refrigerator enclosure and pantry. We opted to leave the east window as-is and incorporated it into the new kitchen layout by creating a window well for growing plants and herbs. The countertops are Pental Quartz in Carrara. The sleek cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous satin champagne bronze. One of the most striking features in the space is the pattern encaustic tile from Tile Shop. The pop of blue in the backsplash adds personality and contrast to the champagne accents. The reclaimed wood cladding surrounding the large east-facing window introduces a quintessential Colorado vibe, and the natural texture balances the crisp white cabinetry and geometric patterned tile. Minimalist modern lighting fixtures from Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting provide task lighting over the sink and at the wine/ coffee station. The visual lightness of the sink pendants maintains the openness and visual connection between the kitchen and dining room. Together the elements make for a sophisticated yet casual vibe-- a comfortable chic kitchen. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a bright and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This couple moved from Chicago’s Wicker Park to a rural setting but wanted to maintain their modern aesthetic. Scott Dresner of Dresner Design created a modern spa oasis for the couple’s master bathroom. The second project completed by Scott in the couple’s home. On the client’s, wish list…a luxurious space to relax, a new window to replace the dated looking glass block, great storage for towels and larger items as well as smaller toiletries. Scott accomplished a variety of storage with deep vanity drawers with push hardware, medicine cabinets with storage on the entire wall, and a large linen closet. Finishes are modern with a hint of warmth created by the floating walnut vanity and trim work. LED light along the vanity and medicine cabinets create a soft ambience perfect for a relaxing bath. Floors are radiant heat, window treatment is motorized, and panel controls a speaker and LED lighting in the rain showerhead. Sources: -Lighting, Lucy Slivinski -Artwork, Linc Thelen -Gray Porcelain Tile, Renaissance Tile + Bath -White Porcelain Tile, Porcelainosa -Black Porcelain tile, The Tile Outlet -Mosaic Shower Floor, Porcelainosa -Bath Tub, Victoria + Albert -Tub Tray, Victoria + Albert -Bath Filler, Phylich -Regulators, Graff -Shower Head, Jaclo -Accessories, Colonial Bronze + Dezi -Rain Shower (LED lighting + music), Thermasol -Toilet, TOTO -Hand spray, Graff -Stone, Calia Stone Boutique -Stone Fabrication, Euro Marble Supply -Vanity, Mirrors, and Linen Closet, The Dresner Design Private Label Collection by De Angelis Italia -Radiant Flooring, Warmup -Linerar Drain, Infinity -Sinks, Lacava -Sink Plumbing, Graff -Window Treatment, The Shade Store -Chair, CB2

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

Built in 2007, this Chastain Park home was not short on space, but the design was dated and lacked the sophistication the homeowners desired. Much of the first floor was included in this renovation, completed in early 2024, including the kitchen, butler’s pantry, primary bathroom and closet, and pool bath.

Double floating vanity with mirrored medicine cabinets for bathroom accessory storage. Photos by Chris Veith
Freestanding bathtub - huge transitional master gray tile and glass tile freestanding bathtub idea in New York with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops