A Beach Bungalow’s Small Spaces Get a Modern Makeover

Fashion designer Kelli Wharton embarked on a transformative renovation of her blonde-brick suburban house in Byron Bay, converting it into a stunning beach-inspired home. Her clear vision was to create a cool, beachy abode that mirrored the laidback coastal lifestyle she and her family embraced, regularly spending time on the white sands south of Byron Bay. The design emphasized ease and functionality to suit a family with two young boys, incorporating natural elements like stone and wood throughout the interior to reflect the surrounding environment. Key changes included converting a bedroom into a family room, which was adorned with cushions from Talulah's homewares range. The living room features a striking coffee table from Ahoy Trader and a recently added Izzah Beni Ourain rug from Marr-Kett. The master bedroom was thoughtfully built in the space previously occupied by the garage, featuring whitewashed floorboards from Choices Flooring, contributing to the beachy aesthetic. The master bedroom also includes a colorful artwork by Jai Vasicek of Ahoy Trader, hanging above a chair sourced from Byron Designworks. The kitchen, a central hub for the family, was completely rebuilt in its original location to incorporate more cupboard and bench space, catering to practical family needs. The dining area features a marble-topped dining table from Coco Republic, complemented by chairs from Fenton & Fenton. The bathroom was updated with Bianco Industry Silver tiles from Byron Bay Tiles, ensuring a contemporary yet cohesive feel. An outdoor dining area includes a table from Kelli's father, paired with chairs imported from Indonesia, and a fan from Beacon Lighting, with a towel from the Talulah homewares range, enhancing the indoor-outdoor flow. Functionality and style extend to the exterior with a garage built from merbau timber at the front of the property, designed to house the family's surfboards, including a mini mal from Kelli's own label, Talulah. This renovation successfully blends modern design with a relaxed, beach-inspired atmosphere, creating a home that is both beautiful and practical for a coastal family life. #ByronBayHome #BeachHouseRenovation #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #FashionDesignerHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #HomeTransformation

This article offers an extensive collection of 67 design ideas for beach cottages, aiming to inspire individuals looking to create or redecorate their perfect summer escape. The designs emphasize a relaxed, unwinding atmosphere, reflecting the typical "lazy-days-of-summer" attitude associated with beach vacations. The article categorizes these ideas into various aspects of home design, ranging from exterior aesthetics to interior room functionality and decor. Several cottages featured are historical homes that have undergone transformations while preserving their original character. For instance, Louana and Ted Frois' 100-year-old beach cottage in Pass Christian, Mississippi, maintained its original seashell peach exterior paint, reminiscent of a Gulf shell, to sustain its historic roots. Interior elements in this cottage, such as natural wood walls, ceilings, and floors, were preserved to honor its authenticity, complemented by white furniture to brighten the spaces. Another example includes an 1894 former officer's quarters on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, which received an addition while restoring its original exterior look with features like a 10-foot-deep porch and dramatic rooflines. The article also highlights modern beach homes designed to evoke a timeless feel, as if they have always been part of the coastal landscape. For a new cottage in Watercolor, Florida, the homeowner aimed for a homier feel than a typical rental, incorporating celadon hues and soft neutrals inspired by the outdoor environment. Shiplap paneling extended from floor to ceiling to emphasize high ceilings, and natural fibers in furniture along with gray-green cabinet colors contributed to an elegant yet relaxed kitchen. Outdoor living spaces are a recurring theme, with many designs seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor areas. Examples include rear porches functioning as additional living and dining rooms, complete with ceiling fans for comfort. One idea house features bifold kitchen windows that open to an outdoor serving and grilling station, enhancing indoor-outdoor living. Porches are often treated as outdoor rooms, requiring ample space, typically at least 8 by 8 feet, to accommodate furnishings. Interior design elements cover a wide spectrum of styles, from playful pastels and vibrant pops of color to soothing blues and natural hues. Allison Elebash's design for a beach home den uses Thibaut's Kasai wallpaper for its coral-like texture, creating a lively backdrop. In bathrooms, elements like aquatic wallpaper in soft neutrals or vibrant tropical-colored wallcoverings are suggested. Durable and artful pieces are prioritized for high-traffic areas, with sturdy vintage furniture and antiques being favored for living rooms. Layering soft textiles and incorporating natural materials like sisal rugs and bleached oak floors help create a serene and lived-in feel, perfect for disguising sand from the beach. One design ingeniously uses a closet between built-in bunks and individual lights for each bed to optimize space and functionality in a shared room. Unique design choices include painting stair treads in nautical blue and replacing spindles with Manila rope for a playful texture. Custom-built bunk beds or upholstered headboards for twin beds with trundles are presented as solutions for maximizing sleeping arrangements in smaller spaces. Outdoor sinks on screened porches are highlighted for their utility, from cleaning fish to filling dog bowls. The article emphasizes design for durability, utilizing materials like white oak planks with a limed finish and clear wax for floors, which are practical for beach environments. Lighting choices range from electrified gas lanterns to repurposed antiques and custom fixtures. In smaller homes, efficient use of space is crucial, with examples of apartment-sized appliances and multi-functional furniture like dining banquettes that convert into beds. Each example provides practical and aesthetic considerations for creating a beach cottage that is both beautiful and functional, catering to relaxation, entertainment, and the unique challenges of coastal living. The article concludes with the idea that beach cottages should reflect the surrounding environment, using local inspirations for color palettes and architectural details. #BeachCottage #HomeDesign #CoastalLiving #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #RenovationIdeas #VacationHome #SmallSpaceDesign #HomeDecor

Wendy and Cleve Meredith, drawing inspiration from their New England background, undertook a significant renovation of their 1930s Cape Cod-style home in Atlanta. The house, which had remained largely unaltered for decades, presented a unique opportunity for an update without expanding its original footprint. Wendy, an interior designer, collaborated with Atlanta architect Brad Heppner to refresh the property, beginning with its curb appeal. Subtle yet impactful changes were made to the exterior, including repainting the brick a warm light brown to blend with the surrounding trees. A new cedar-shingled roof, a flared awning over the front door, and black shutters on the dormer windows were added, enhancing the home's architectural definition. Inside, the objective was to improve living spaces without increasing the home's size. The kitchen, despite retaining its original square footage, now appears more expansive. Much of the kitchen, along with an adjacent pantry and breakfast area, was reconfigured to maximize space planning. Existing scalloped-niche and Shaker-style cabinetry was ingeniously adapted to conceal a refrigerator and pantry. Custom cabinets throughout the kitchen were designed to be slightly oversized, with upper cabinets deepened by 2 to 3 inches to accommodate larger items, and lower cabinets equipped with drawers for easier access. A wooden plank backsplash was chosen over tile to maintain a seamless, old-fashioned cottage aesthetic. A central, space-saving pocket door now connects the kitchen to the dining room. The dining room itself was updated to evoke a sense of history without feeling overly formal. The upper walls were painted the same gray as the kitchen island, creating continuity between the adjacent spaces, while creamy horizontal wood planks were installed below the chair rail. The original hardwood floors were refinished to their former beauty. Wendy selected a round table and antique chairs, upholstered in simple linen and checked fabrics with a delicate scalloped edge, to foster a welcoming atmosphere. A family heirloom, a 13-arm meeting-house chandelier, serves as a distinctive focal point. The former back porch, previously housing a washer and dryer, was transformed into an essential butler's pantry, extending the kitchen's functionality. This area features wood-plank walls, a quaint and practical brick floor, a walnut countertop for added patina, and open shelving to display bar items. A former bedroom was converted into a sitting room, now offering direct access to the newly designed courtyard through French doors. The backyard, originally with a small brick patio, was re-envisioned as a lush courtyard to provide more living space and a garden retreat for the Merediths and their two corgis. A new garage/carriage house anchors the back of the yard. The hardscape includes a picket fence, bluestone tiles, and a pea gravel drive and path, softened by a green-and-white-themed garden. This garden is thoughtfully planted with camellias, a tea olive hedge, hostas, hydrangeas, and ferns, ensuring year-round greenery and blooms. A unique personal touch was added with a quarterboard displaying the name "Glory Cottage," a nod to Nantucket tradition and a symbol of adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. #CapeCodCottage #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ExteriorMakeover #KitchenRemodel #CourtyardDesign #TraditionalHome #ArchitecturalDetails #GardenLandscaping

Jacque Hamilton acquired her dream home in WaterColor, Florida, nearly two decades after first discovering it. The property, located on Buttercup Street and designed by architect Jim Strickland of Historical Concepts, captivated Hamilton with its distinctive front porch, French doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. After initially being unable to purchase it, she rented the home and later managed it as a rental through her business, Exclusive 30A. The house, having served as a rental for twenty years, required significant repairs and an update to reflect Hamilton's personal style and modern durability needs. Hamilton engaged Birmingham-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas for the renovation, a recommendation from the original architect. Hillegas undertook a comprehensive decorating project, focusing on revitalizing the interior without structural changes, thanks to Strickland's well-conceived floor plan. The renovation process, completed in just four months, was expedited by Hillegas's resourceful approach, which involved reupholstering existing furnishings, repurposing fixtures, incorporating antique pieces, and pre-stocking textiles to minimize delays. A key design element is the front porch, which Hillegas transformed into a cozy and private space using curtains and shutters in a classic blue-and-white color palette. Benjamin Moore's Narragansett Green (HC-157) was chosen for the shutters, and Perennials' Vintage Stripe fabric in Lagoon was used for the curtains, setting a consistent color scheme throughout the house. Inside, Hillegas employed creative solutions for window treatments, layering tent-flap curtains with a bold print (Katsugi in Blues by Schumacher) on the front and a stripe on the back over woven blinds from India, to achieve visual impact efficiently. The open-concept kitchen and living area, a potential design challenge, was effectively delineated by Jim Strickland's strategic placement of ceiling beams. Hillegas enhanced the kitchen's functionality and aesthetic by installing a counter-depth panel-ready refrigerator to blend with existing cabinetry, which was repainted in Sherwin-Williams' Natural Tan (SW 7567). The island received a vibrant touch with Sherwin-Williams' Labradorite (SW 7619). Personal touches included incorporating Hamilton's dining table and hutch. Throughout the home, found objects were displayed as art, such as a collage of antique hats above the bed in the master bedroom, creating a beachy, casual ambiance. The master bed was dressed with linens from Peacock Alley, a Pottery Barn quilt, and a vintage throw. Built-in bookcases were updated with grass cloth wallpaper from Crezana, and the walls and ceiling were painted in Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster (SW 7008). The primary bathroom saw its existing vanity, light fixtures, claw-foot tub, and wooden elements revitalized with fresh paint, while original pickled walls upstairs were preserved to maintain their vintage appeal. The stair landing was updated with a Roman shade in a Quadrille fabric, New Batik Cloud New Brown on Tint. In the bedrooms, Hillegas blended new and vintage elements. One guest bedroom features a brown-and-white color palette with Caribbean-inspired decor, including a sunburst mirror and natural woven table, reflecting the coastal surroundings. The bedspread was custom-made, and the headboard covered in Heather Chadduck Textiles' Little Bamboo in Chocolate. Another guest bedroom showcases a playful mix of blue patterns reminiscent of the ocean, with drapes in a Heather Chadduck Textiles fabric complementing the blue-and-white bedding. The design approach successfully transformed the property into a personalized and functional Florida getaway, combining timeless style with practical durability for family use. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FloridaHome #CoastalLiving #HomeDecor #DesignTransformation #WaterColor

Interior designer Kate Lester embarked on a project to redefine the perception of traditional design within a Cape Cod-style home in Manhattan Beach, CA. The common understanding of traditional interiors often includes heavy floral patterns, antique timepieces, tasseled ottomans, and elaborate window treatments, which can deter individuals from incorporating these elements. Lester's approach demonstrates how traditional components can be integrated into a contemporary setting without creating an outdated aesthetic. The design philosophy centered on using traditional elements in a novel manner, aiming to transform a conventional space into one filled with playful details and personality. Lester's methodology involved introducing comfort and clean lines, often considered divergent from traditional design principles. This was achieved through the careful selection of softer paint colors and comfortable furniture pieces. These modern touches were then contrasted with distinctive wallpaper and unique artwork, creating a balanced and visually interesting environment. The designer's work underscores the idea that "Trad is rad," advocating for a refreshed perspective on traditional decor. The project successfully blends classic architectural styles with modern interior sensibilities, providing a blueprint for homeowners looking to update their traditional residences while maintaining their inherent character. The article highlights specific elements and products that contribute to this updated traditional style. For instance, it features a Campion hanging light fixture from The Urban Electric Co., a Julia Low Profile Three Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet from Waterworks, and a Stoneware Pitcher w/ Rattan Handle from Kate Lester's own collection. Other items include Fig Leaves I artwork from Juniper Print Shop and a Marigold Metal Candle Holder, also from Kate Lester Home. These selections collectively demonstrate how individual pieces can contribute to a cohesive design that feels both classic and contemporary. The integration of such items showcases a thoughtful curation process, where each object plays a role in enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional appeal of the home. Through this project, Lester illustrates how a traditional home can be transformed into a comfortable, stylish, and personal space. The emphasis is on reimagining traditional aesthetics rather than abandoning them, proving that classic styles can indeed evolve to meet modern tastes and preferences. The design effectively challenges conventional notions of traditional decor, offering a fresh and inviting interpretation that appeals to a contemporary audience while respecting the architectural heritage of the home. This blend of old and new creates an environment that is both familiar and surprising, inviting residents to experience traditional design in an entirely new light. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ManhattanBeach #KateLesterInteriors #TraditionalModern #CapeCodStyle #HomeRenovation #InteriorStyling