Whitney Leigh Morris, a designer known for her sustainable and thoughtful approach to living spaces, recently relocated from California to the serene marshlands of northern Florida with her family. Together with her husband, Adam Winkleman, and their two children, Morris embraced the challenge of creating a home that harmonizes with its natural environment. Nestled in a protected area rich with live oak trees and diverse bird species, the family has crafted a lifestyle that reflects their deep commitment to ecological living.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Architect: Jennifer Langford
Location: Northern Florida Marshlands
Designer: Whitney Leigh Morris
Inspiration: Venice Beach Cottage and French Farmhouse
Materials: Recycled Wood and River-Recovered Pine
The decision to settle in this untouched landscape came with its share of challenges, particularly in building a home that respects and highlights the environment. Drawing inspiration from her past homes, including a cottage in Venice Beach and a French farmhouse, Morris designed a residence with minimal ecological disruption in mind. Elevated five feet off the ground to address potential flooding, their home incorporates divided-light windows, reducing bird collisions with glass. Rather than aiming for wide-open vistas, the family appreciates their lush, vibrant surroundings through thoughtful design choices that serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose.
Morris and her family’s dedication to environmental sustainability is evident throughout their home. They cultivate edible greens in grow stands, showcasing their passion for local ecosystems. Nearly all the wood used in their home’s construction is recycled, with floors, shelves, and counters made from river-recovered pine meticulously retrieved from riverbeds. Energy efficiency is prioritized through strategically placed screens, skylights, and wall fans, limiting reliance on heating and cooling systems in the humid, storm-prone region. This compact living space of 913 square feet is not just a home but a testament to self-sufficiency and environmentally-conscious living, providing comfort for the family of four and their two beagles.
A standout feature of their new home is the wide covered porch with vaulted ceilings, bringing the outdoors in and offering a space of reflection on the surrounding natural beauty. Designer Whitney Leigh Morris incorporated these elements with the assistance of architect Jennifer Langford to blend practicality with aesthetic pleasure. Inside, Sherwin-Williams Shoji White paint unifies the interior, warmed by a wood-burning stove and personalized furniture crafted to suit the family’s needs.
Rather than opting for conventional appliances, Morris chose refrigerator drawers accessible to her children, emphasizing functionality and independence in their everyday lives. The kitchen surfaces are a mix of Cambria and reclaimed floorboards, designed with custom tall countertops to accommodate the couple’s height. The carefully crafted kitchen and dining elements reflect the seamless integration of utility and design throughout the home.
Morris’s creativity extends into each room, including the primary bedroom and children’s space, which feature innovative uses of color, texture, and reclaimed materials. In one notable approach, her children’s room is divided by oversized pocket doors and features multi-functional furniture that adapts as needed, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing space while maintaining a vibrant, engaging atmosphere. Equally remarkable is their greenhouse, doubling as an office and creative retreat, a testament to morris’s holistic approach to life and design, fostering an environment of inspiration and connection.
