Oak Branch Cottage: A Sourcing Trip to Gulf Coast Home

There is a distinct kind of magic in shopping for a house that is still waiting to be lived in. Last weekend, J and I made our way to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, on a targeted mission to source key pieces for Oak Branch Cottage. We kicked off the day with lunch at our absolute favorite spot, Thorny Oyster, before spending the afternoon immersed in design details with Wendy and Theresa, the talented owners of the remarkably well-appointed Gulf Coast Home.

Moving into a space defined by light, open air, and soaring 12-foot ceilings changes the rules of decorating. Scale is everything. Small, low-profile pieces get swallowed whole by high walls, so every find on our list had to hold its own weight while matching the relaxed, coastal-cottage aesthetic we love.

After hours of cross-referencing our measurements and exploring their curated inventory, we checked off several major items:

• Front Porch Living: To match the generous scale of the front porch, we selected a outdoor sofa, two armchairs, and a matching ottoman from Kingsley Bate. The high-quality teak and classic lines will ground the porch perfectly. 

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Architectural Lighting: We ordered two Monterey-style gas lanterns through Carroll by Design. Gas lighting brings an immediate, warm intimacy to tall outdoor entryways, framing the front door with classic Southern charm.

  
  
  

• Grounding the Floorplan: We selected three distinct rugs from the Jaipur Collection to anchor the living room, dining room, and main hallway, defining each zone within the open layout.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Reflecting the Light: A classic Louis Philippe mirror will hang in the dining room, drawing the eye upward and bouncing light across the high ceilings.

  
  
  

• The Master Suite: We sourced a king-sized headboard with enough height to stand proudly against the bedroom walls without feeling lost. I adore any piece with cane.

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Beyond the shop, the visual board for the cottage keeps growing. I am finalizing an order for rich grasscloth wallpaper to bring texture and warmth to the bar area. Next on the agenda, J and I are meeting with Patricia at Fairfax Fabrics to select custom window treatments to frame those beautiful, tall windows.

Decorating a space with room to breathe is standard-shifting, and watching Oak Branch Cottage come together piece by deliberate piece makes the process worth every single decision.

Decorating & Sourcing, y'all!