Little Lodge by Beth Webb: A Southern Retreat That Captures the Light

Nestled amid the sweeping pastures of Brays Island, South Carolina, Little Lodge began as a humble guest cottage—a 1,400-square-foot English-style hideaway built by homebuilder Jim Meathe and his wife, Mary. Designer Beth Webb transformed the small structure into a luminous haven that feels both intimate and open, infused with texture, history, and effortless charm.

Kitchen

The Little Lodge kitchen is the heart of the home and a true crowd-pleaser. With its wall of windows, integrated soapstone sink, and over-scale ogee backsplash, it feels less like a kitchen and more like a sun-splashed garden room. Webb designed it to capture the dappling light of morning, afternoon, and evening, emphasizing the home’s connection to the outdoors. The space’s wood-grain cabinetry, chosen to accentuate verticality, and a generous window above the sink make it both highly functional and deeply inviting—a perfect setting for whipping up an Ina Garten-style summer meal.

Family Room

In the family room, every element was chosen for comfort and timeless appeal. Soft, natural textiles layer over deep seating that invites lingering, while plaster-finished walls catch the light in a subtle, sophisticated way. Webb and her clients spent hours testing how each sofa felt, ensuring that relaxation was built into the design. The result is a space that feels lived-in from the start—a true reflection of the couple’s gracious Southern hospitality.

Dining Room

The dining room brings together everything that makes Little Lodge so special: craftsmanship, personality, and warmth. A mural by Bob Christian from Savannah anchors the space, while antique lanterns—chosen for their weight and elegance—add soft, flattering light. It’s easy to imagine long dinners here with friends, the table filled with stories and laughter that spill late into the night.

Bedroom

Upstairs, the dormer guest room exudes warmth and whimsy. Faux-bois wallpaper by Nobilis gives the space a treetop feeling—earning it the nickname “The Tree House.” The palette is serene and organic, with natural light spilling across soft linens and understated antiques. It’s a retreat within a retreat, perfectly capturing Webb’s philosophy that small spaces should feel deeply personal and layered.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, Webb combined tactile materials with thoughtful proportion to make the small footprint feel generous. Soapstone counters, gleaming fixtures, and subtle textures reflect her belief that utility should never come at the expense of beauty. The effect is calm and timeless—a quiet complement to the rest of the home’s lively character.

Entry

The entryway sets the tone for the house with a charming bar nook and a petite window over the sink that doubles as a pass-through to the screened porch—ideal for cocktails at Brays, where happy hour is practically a tradition. Every inch of this small space works hard, from the practical layout to the antique accents that make it feel collected rather than designed.

Exterior

From the outside, Little Lodge feels like it has always belonged to the landscape. The clinker brick exterior—with its hand-fired irregular shapes and nuanced tones—adds both depth and history. Webb brought in special masons to craft this effect, giving the home an enduring, storybook quality that echoes the charm of old English cottages. Even though it began as a guesthouse, the home’s scale and craftsmanship make it every bit a main residence.

Little Lodge proves that small doesn’t mean simple. With an eye for proportion, light, and timeless materials, Beth Webb and her clients created a retreat that’s rich in character and charm—an enduring testament to how thoughtful design can make even the tiniest cottage feel expansive, soulful, and unforgettable.

Photography: Emily Followill

Architect: Peter Block

Design: Beth Webb

Featured: Veranda Magazine