Layered Living

When Will and Meaghan Quarles purchased a house on Daniel Island, they knew that the ten-year-old home needed some work. After enlisting the help of Paige Designs owner and lead designer Paige Dick, what started as a vision for a calm, family-friendly sanctuary quickly became a bold, joy-filled transformation. Serene palettes began to meet fearless design choices, and every room now tells a story of heart, home, and, of course, a little design magic.

While the home’s original design wasn’t exactly a blank canvas, it had good bones — which is crucial in reimagining what a home can be. “The foundational elements were beautiful, but it needed some modernizing,” Meaghan Quarles recalled of the structure and color palette at the time of purchase.

Fortunately, they had options. The Quarleses were connected to Paige Designs through their Realtor on Daniel Island, Kristin Abbate, and the couple immediately felt that Dick could fulfill their dreams for the home. “Our vision aligned with Paige's from the beginning, and she recommended several design elements we would not have thought of on our own,” Meaghan said. “Originally, the whole home was bright green and blue. I immediately knew I wanted to create a mix of more neutral tones throughout the house, with a few intentional and fun pops of color and pattern. Our goal for the style of our new home was coastal, yet playful and relaxing to be in.”

Adds Dick, “Their original vision was to create a family-friendly sanctuary, especially with a baby in the home. Will and Meghan prioritized modernizing the space while creating an environment that supported comfort, relaxation and family time.”

As with any renovation, there were challenges — not the least of which was the fact that the homeowners were on an opposite coast during the renovation process. Being the seasoned professional that she is, however, Dick didn’t miss a beat. “She immediately made us feel at ease with the design process, which can feel overwhelming in the beginning — especially since we stayed in Manhattan Beach during the renovations,” said Meghan. “It was very comforting having someone on the ground that we really trusted to manage everything.”

That trust was well-earned. An independent designer for more than a decade, Dick studied at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSAID) and launched her business in 2011. Since then, she has been featured in various magazines and publications and was hired on HGTV's hit series “Love It or List It” in 2017. “Renovations come with their own creative challenges,” she relayed. “You’re working within an existing framework, which often pushes you to think more innovatively. I love uncovering the hidden potential in a space and then completely reimagining it. There's something incredibly rewarding about taking a home that feels dated or disjointed and turning it into something vibrant and inspiring.”

Part of giving that vibrancy and inspiration to the Quarleses’ home included the transformation of the foyer arch — a change that made an incredible visual impact. “It originally featured dated columns and traditional trim that made the space feel heavy,” spoke Dick. “We removed the existing trim and installed custom millwork that could bend seamlessly around the arch, giving it a cleaner, more modern look. It’s a subtle detail, but it dramatically refreshes the entry and sets the tone for the entire home.”

Working their way through each space, Dick’s team made other changes—both big and small—that truly gave the home new life. “The original fireplace felt pretty tired, but with a few smart updates, it turned into a quiet showstopper,” she noted. “We swapped out the old tile for a classic herringbone pattern that adds just the right amount of texture. Keeping the existing mantal and painting it to match the built-ins helped us create a seamless, tone-on-tone focal point that really grounds the room. It’s simple, understated and now one of the standout features of the space.”

“For the powder room, Meaghan had been dreaming of wallpaper, and we took it a step further by pulling a deep green tone from the print and applying it to the shiplap, ceiling and trim for a bold, immersive effect,” she continued. “We also color-drenched the laundry room and mudroom and refreshed the flooring with statement tile. These risks brought personality and energy to everyday spaces.”

Watching from the California coast as the changes unfolded, the Quarleses never felt in the dark about any stage of the progress. “Paige would send us update videos frequently,” Meaghan said. “It all started to feel real and very exciting once the whole house was painted and the new wallpaper, fixtures and tile started to go in. It was really cool to see our design board come to life.”

Naturally, there are favorite spaces in the newly completed home. “My favorite space is our breakfast nook,” said Meaghan. “It’s flooded with so much natural light, and the view is of a beautiful Southern live oak tree in our backyard. We decided against any window coverings in this room since it is already private, so we could enjoy the view to the full extent. The Pepper Home wallpaper is fun yet does not take away from the natural view. This room is where many of our family meals and conversations take place.” 

The mudroom and laundry room were also among the spaces in the home that saw bold design choices. “I am so happy that we ended up color drenching our mudroom and laundry room, which was one of Paige's ideas,” said Meaghan. “It really makes these spaces feel larger and more cohesive.”

To keep the home feeling personal rather than curated, the Quarleses had a hand in choosing the art and tried to make sure there was an antique in every room to balance some of the newer pieces and materials used. “Some of these pieces were passed down to us from our families, and some were discovered recently,” Meaghan offered. “Charleston has some amazing antique finds, so it has been fun to continue to add to this collection over time. We also had the opportunity to collaborate with Abbey Mueller, a local artist, to choose art for our home. We have several of her pieces throughout our home, and her art really pulls the spaces together and brings joy.”

Joy is a defining element in the feel of this home — and, for Dick, it was the driving force behind her design choices. “I hope that people feel warmth, joy and personality the moment they step inside,” she said. “My design philosophy always starts with how a space should feel. For this home, that meant creating an environment that’s as welcoming and comfortable as it is stylish. It’s a place to recharge, connect and truly enjoy being at home.” ϒ

Paige Designs is located at 460 King Street, Suite 200, Charleston, S.C. 29403. For more information, call 720-220-9500, or visit paigedesignsllc.com.