Their goal was to adapt the home to modern living while respecting the simple architecture of the structure. “The husband is a mechanical engineer, so there was a great deal of precision, even for a simple decision, whether it was a bracket or a cabinet. The results are refined in a beautiful way,” she says. “The wife rides horses and loves [all things] equestrian, nature, and the earth.” Simplicity reigns when entertaining, with fuss-free food like shrimp boils.

“We wanted to extract the most that we could out of the structure. The attic space was underutilized so we made it into a dormer. That decision came far into the design,” says Watters, who credits others for the success of the 3,024-square-foot project. “When you have the right team that can build everything with a ‘yes’ and a smile . . . the home was handled with grace and the contributors are a product of a recipe that makes it hard to feel like the brainchild.”

Her firm selected the architectural finishes, and the interior design was done by Marcia Artigues Interiors. The lighting, which can be controlled remotely, glows at night and highlights the distinctive ceilings found throughout like the substantial skylight in the kitchen. Watters—who worked closely with the trim carpenter to push the limits for details seen generations ago—says the home’s strength is the trim found throughout. Other enhancements include the classic Southern porch that needed a lift. “We added three feet to the roofline above the porch to make it feel properly welcoming,” she says. Windows on the facade were replaced with doors. “The back of the house is more modern. We juxtaposed the front with the back and mixed the inside,” she adds.

In the kitchen, Wolf appliances include a forty-eight-inch range with a custom hood. A glass-front fridge, warming drawers, and a microwave drawer are among the modern conveniences. The travertine floor and subtle tile backsplash complement white cabinets from a local craftsman. Glass-front styles make the space feel more open.

Slipcovered furniture surrounds a refinished fireplace in the living room where a shapely metal chandelier hangs overhead. “It’s a curated selection to evoke a coastal traditional feel,” says Watters, who had a great relationship with the owners. “They were renovating and living out of state, so there was a lot of remote communication. Everyone depended on everyone so much.”

With a renovation, you note the existing space constraints. “Maybe fifty percent of what exists is working, so how can we reconfigure it to be what we need it to be?” she says. “This home was inherently beautiful and it didn’t need to be as lavish as a primary residence. You can always make a small space feel bigger.”