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Nicholas McGinn
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Nicholas McGinn
As the founder and principal of bureau interior design + architectural consulting, in addition to being one of the most coveted designing minds in Nashville, Matt Donahoe knows exactly how to transform a home through interior design.
And when it comes to bringing a client’s dream home to fruition, Donahoe and his team take a hands-on approach to create spaces that inspire. One of his latest projects, a breathtaking home in Alys Beach, expertly exemplifies this approach. Through collaboration and communication, inspiration from nature, attention to detail, and a keen eye for design, this picturesque property is the ultimate at-home oasis. With a backdrop as breathtaking as Alys Beach, Donahoe found plenty of ways to let the home’s stunning surroundings inspire its design.
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Nicholas McGinn
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Nicholas McGinn
“We are incredibly fortunate to work in environments where nature often informs design, and Alys Beach is a jewel in the Southeast. We strived to deepen the creature comforts of a home away from home," Donahue explains. “Bringing the outdoors in, we hinted at light, sea, sky, and terrain with a mix of bleached ochres, washed blues, and tonal whites. Things naturally fell into place on this project, especially within the framework of the surroundings.”
The home’s indoor/outdoor living floor plan is a stunning display of architecture, design, and nature seamlessly merging to create a space that draws you in upon first glance. Sunlight pours into the zaguan spotlighting this central section of the home in a way that’s as natural as it is remarkable, making this element an absolute favorite of the homeowner.
From custom furniture pieces and artwork to light fixtures and architectural elements, there are countless details that make this house feel like home. One piece in particular that stands out for Donahoe is the home’s dining table, which he and his team designed to infuse a modern and luxurious element to the clean lines of the trademark Alys Beach architecture. Working with an artisan workshop to fabricate a fully lacquered oblong table inspired by Italian designs from the early 20th Century, the table beautifully catches the natural light while bending the rules of traditional coastal design.
Just as the home’s surroundings worked to inform design elements, so did the homeowner’s vision. Built on solid rapport, the design process was entirely collaborative to ensure the homeowner’s needs were met. Utility and modernity were paramount values for this design aesthetic, and Donahoe and his team paid meticulous attention to detail to achieve this. Each element needed to provide both form and function, so layering of the space involved measured moves when selecting artwork, furnishings, and lighting fixtures.
“Our endeavor was to create a sense of place while evoking a feeling of familiarity. As a second home for our client, they wished for a memorable environment, but one without pretense. The materiality of the design was our primary focus—simple yet complex combinations for a ‘less is more’ aesthetic,” says Donahoe.
For the lucky homeowner, this property not only met but exceeded expectations. And for Donahoe, there is nothing more rewarding than creating a final product that is a client’s dream come true.
“It is always going to be about client satisfaction to me and my team. Our approach is very hands-on, and we become invested in our projects no matter the scale,” Donahoe says. “We have the greatest clients who appreciate what we do, how we do it, and why we do it. I wake up each day and engage in our work feeling gratitude and excitement.”