“Architecturally, it stands on its own,” Donyea Tollie says of this Sebring, Florida home. “Designed in a plantation style, the home carries a complex and undeniable history. As a Black design firm designing for a Black family, we approach our work with deep awareness and responsibility, so this was something we could not ignore.”
Her clients are a close-knit Black Caribbean family of four, led by a local physician who has lived in the home for over 25 years. “It’s where they raised their two daughters, so the home holds deep history, culture, and an undeniable connection,” Donyea says. “As they approached retirement, they found themselves deciding whether to downsize or reimagine the home they had built their lives in.”
They specifically sought out a Black interior design firm to guide that transformation. “Together, the two daughters envisioned a modern colonial home that felt elevated and refreshed, while still honoring their story and Caribbean roots,” Donyea explains. “They desired a full transformation, moving away from the dark, heavy feel of the home to something light, airy, and inviting.”
The walls and trim throughout most of the first floor are drenched in Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois, creating a warm yet airy, cohesive backdrop. The sitting room doubles as a prayer space, designed to feel light, airy, and deeply restorative. “We kept the existing fireplace mantel and updated the surround with Cambria Notting Hill,” Donyea says. “All the furniture in the space is rounded and curved to allow energy to naturally flow.”
She says the primary suite is the project’s pride and joy, designed as a true retreat. A custom upholstered bed in a soft caramel chenille is framed by an arched inset with Omexco wallpaper, while Made Goods dressers in a vintage black finish provide contrast, balancing light and grounded elements.
Highlights in the bathroom include a vintage Randolph Morris freestanding tub, a Crystorama chandelier, and custom framed artwork by Marquest Cathcart. “Here, materiality takes center stage,” Donyea shares.
At the heart of these spaces is a deep reverence for the family that lives within them. “It’s rooted in legacy and designed for what is next,” Donyea notes. “The transformation centers on creating intentional moments of pause throughout the home, spaces that feel like quiet altars for rest, reflection, and reconnection.”
