“I love mixing old with new,” Marilyn says. And that meant keeping as much of the original house as they could. All of the floors are original, with oak upstairs and 2¾-inch pine floors downstairs. A brick wall behind the original fireplace was revealed when plaster was removed during the renovation. That brick now is an intriguing feature in the home’s new iteration. Barn doors—also original to the house—provide privacy for the couple’s visiting grandchildren.
New front porches were added—a must-have for a home with such an enviable view of Mobile Bay. The dining room, situated at the front of the house, showcases the calming vista, which encourages guests to linger at the distinctive zinc table that was the inspiration for the redesigned dining room.
White accents pop against bold blue and white wallpaper in the master bath, making it, according to Marilyn, “My favorite room in the house.” In a guest bedroom, neutral walls and furnishings offer a peaceful setting for relaxing and enjoying the soothing surroundings, as does the stylishly appointed second-story porch—one of two that the Ellises added to the home. The distinctive spiral staircase at the front of the house gives an easy entrance to the captivating porch.
For years, Marilyn collected pictures and tear sheets from magazines of rooms she admired. She worked with decorator Elisabeth Hays at Lulu & Me to get just the right ambience for her bayside home. “We wanted each room to be warm and comfortable with something of unique interest,” Elisabeth says. Key to that look is the showcasing of Marilyn’s collections of pottery and art from local Gulf Coast artists—right down to the Nall painting that hangs above the bed in the master bedroom. Perhaps further proof of the sweet serendipities of life.
