Feature
Chic Shack
From demolition to delight, Mandy and Knox Burns have
shaped their space into a surf shack haven.
- Heather Luxemburg
- Fred Lopez
Design, no matter the size of a space, tells a story of its own. Color, shape, and structure become language; furniture, artwork, texture, and carefully constructed vignettes become visual cues.
For Mandy and Knox Burns, the design story begins with destruction. “We bought our house in July 2019, just before COVID hit. At the time, we were committed to remodeling,” Knox reflects. The old home, plagued by termites and internal decay, left them with only four walls worth saving. The choice was clear: The house needed to be completely torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. Little did they know that this decision would mark the start of an adventure filled with highs, lows, and a lot of perseverance. Knox recalls, “Building during COVID was a nightmare. It took over two years to get everything done. It was a tough time in our life.” Smiling, Mandy nods, “Now that we’re on the other side, we love the house; we love the neighborhood and we love everything Winter Garden offers our family.”
The new construction brought ample creative freedom in the design. Drawing on her expertise in landscape architecture and urban planning, Mandy took the reins. “From the moment I walked in, I loved our home. I could picture exactly what we should do. Whenever you walk around a project, you get a feeling, like it should go in a certain direction.” While one may describe the aesthetic as “earthy eclectic,” Mandy has playfully dubbed their home as “Grandma’s Surf Shack.” The term may sound unusual, but for Mandy, it epitomizes the essence of her great-grandmother Mabel’s creativity and resourcefulness. As Mandy explains, “Everything my great-grandmother made was to be shared and enjoyed. From her handmade hooked rugs, the quilts that must have taken weeks to sew by hand, or the pies she would bake to pass out to the neighborhood, her rule was that everything had a purpose. That’s why I decided to incorporate her tattered, scrap-fabric rugs on our entryway wall, welcoming guests with a reminder that nothing is too precious in our home or life, except the people we share it with. Embracing the wear, tear, and imperfections is what adds beauty to both the house and our lives.”
The aesthetic of the house is a blend of earthy tones, distinctive elements, and the iconic breezeblocks—a design element that Mandy describes as her “love language.” These breezeblocks, strategically placed at the entrance, not only keep the roof lines low but also contribute to the overall aesthetic, providing a nod to the surf shack vibe. In the kitchen, where the counter is intentional and spacious, every culinary creation becomes a shared masterpiece, beckoning the family together around the heart of the home. “I always wanted an island that my kids could run around; I’m constantly chasing them,” Mandy laughs. “And almost every day, every square inch is taken up on this island.” Mandy and Knox’s vivacious children, Mabel Breck and John Knox Burns V (affectionately known as Cinco), add their own charm to this vibrant home. Mabel’s name is a beautiful blend of family history, inspired by Mandy’s great-grandmother and Knox’s grandmother. Meanwhile, Cinco, as he prefers to be called, embodies the fifth generation with the name John, paying homage to the family’s lineage.
With Mabel’s playful energy and Cinco’s lively spirit, the kitchen island becomes a hub of activity, a true reflection of the heartwarming chaos that defines this bustling family space.
Taking center stage beside the oven is none other than Snoop Dogg’s cookbook, an odd departure from Grandma’s surf shack chic, but one that has an inherently more pressing meaning. Amidst the joy and laughter that typically fills their home, the family has recently faced an unexpected and challenging chapter in their lives. Mabel, their youngest of only 3 years old, has been diagnosed with leukemia, adding a layer of gravitas to every moment. “Mabel’s Make-A-Wish right now is to make corn muffins with Snoop Dogg,” Mandy shares with a mixture of amusement and love. In the midst of medical appointments and caring for their daughter, the family finds unexpected joy in a toddler’s love for celebrity chef corn muffins—after all, who wouldn’t?
Beyond the kitchen, the home itself is a canvas of creativity. Mandy’s passion for ceramic work is evident in the bright, sandy tiles that grace not only the bathroom but also various corners of the home, adorning each space with an authentic allure. “The tile is handmade, so it’s imperfect. A lot of times when you build a new home, everything’s so pristine. That’s not what we wanted. We enjoy the artistry behind it, but also the imperfections—we have it in three places in the house.” This distinctive touch is further enhanced by an array of vintage straw hats, cherished possessions from Mandy’s grandfather, seamlessly blending personal memories with the everyday rhythm of their home.
At the core of this transformative journey is Mandy’s unwavering passion for interior and exterior design. “Design should be used to solve problems. Whether you’re inside or outside, it’s important to create special moments in everyday spaces.” Her creative energy and keen eye for detail breathed new life into the project. From selecting the perfect color palette to choosing the right textures and materials, Mandy’s touch is evident in every corner of the Burns family home. Taking a walk through the property, this is apparent. Bathed in delicate greens, yellows, tans, and pops of pink, the home embodies the old Florida essence. Individuality emanates off the walls, and every nook and cranny tells a story. Take the big Elvis statue, for example—a quirky yard sale find that now holds a real guitar and a prime spot in the living room. Or Knox’s grandfather’s painting that found a cozy corner in the in-laws’ quarters. Mandy chuckles, “His family laughed so hard when they presented it to me because it’s awful. It’s moved about four or five times until I finally decided to put it where my in-laws sleep. I’m like, you’re going to have to wake up to this thing.”
In seamlessly blending the old and the new, Mandy’s prowess in marrying tradition with modernity is evident. The result is not just a house but a living, breathing work of art that tells the story of the Burns family’s past, present, and future. Art is a central theme in the Burns household, extending beyond family heirlooms. In a tradition unique to Mandy and Knox, paintings of every home they’ve lived in adorn the walls, capturing the essence of that chapter in their lives. These paintings serve as visual memoirs, each stroke telling a story of the family’s journey, growth, and the unique personality of each residence. Mandy’s artistic flair extends to creating her own artwork, as seen in the paintings from Breckenridge, Colorado, where the couple first met. The personalized touch continues with skis and a snowboard awaiting transformation into a mountain scene, a nod to the couple’s meeting place and the origins of their daughter’s middle name, Breck.
Each room tells a story, with pieces collected, repurposed, or created, reflecting the family’s adventures and memories. Original artwork holds a special place, with Mandy emphasizing the importance of incorporating old elements for grounding the space in history. Mandy explains, “My goal with design is form and function—every time I turn a corner, I want it to be a happy memory, or a special moment. For example, sometimes it can be difficult to go up our many stairs. So I put our wedding painting on that wall. Now, it’s a happy memory that I relive any time I go up the stairs.”
Mandy’s dedication to design doesn’t stop at the doorsteps. As a landscape architect, Mandy’s focus extends beyond the interior, shaping the exterior to create a modest and inviting façade. The green doorways, the strategically placed dentil molding up front, and the carefully chosen plantings reflect her commitment to aesthetics. “The front of your home is not necessarily for you; it’s for the community,” Mandy emphasizes. “It was important to me to have a modest-looking home. Going into the build, our aim was for the home to be understated. Most people want a grand, beautiful home, but we leaned toward the opposite; we wanted to keep a similar aesthetic to what downtown offers.” The attention to detail extends to the choice of flowers that bloom with pink in October, creating a visual spectacle that elicits high fives from passersby.
Having a home that reflects their personalities and provides a space for their family is a source of joy and accomplishment. The journey, though arduous, has culminated in a home that is not just a physical place but a living collection of memories, stories, and unique pieces that tell their story. Mandy says, “When people come here, I hope they feel comfortable, and it brings them moments of joy. Our aspiration is that our home serves as an inspiration for others, encouraging them to embrace their own narratives and design spaces that radiate joy and comfort.” In a nutshell, the Burns family home is a celebration of quirkiness, resilience, and the magic that happens when design meets personal narrative. It stands as a reminder that a home is not just a structure but a canvas where each stroke, color, and piece of furniture contributes to a story that evolves with every passing day.
The Burns’ backyard serves as a private sanctuary for the family to relax and the children to play. Placed in the back is an old church pew, an heirloom from Mandy’s family.
