HAPPY EASTER

HAPPY EASTER

Easter is one of my favorite Holidays that I have always loved. It is one of the holidays that holds so many special memories. Easter to me represents the beginning of Spring and a new beginning. Colorful flowers start to bloom, the green grass starts to sprout, the air is fresh and clean, and everyone starts to wear pastel colors. Although this year will be much different than past Easters, I wanted to share my Easter design with you! These times are stressful and unknown, so I hope this Easter room makes you feel; happy, positive, and removes you from reality, if even just for a moment! Please stay healthy, safe, and well. The best thing to look forward to right now, is knowing that Summer is right around the corner. 

Setting up the hutch for Easter, with playful dishes and custom wooden Easter Bunnies. I painted the inside of this vintage hutch a beautiful pale mint green which lends to the perfect backdrop for a collection of new and old dishes. I had handmade pottery custom made in my colors with a mix of polka dots and stripes. Mint green and white striped pottery blend beautifully with white and cream French pitchers and platters. The little custom wood Easter Bunnies pose perfectly on the shelves. Hippity Hoppity…

Easter wouldn’t be Easter without beautiful little sweet treats. I made little meringue kisses, covered in sweet white sugar. I then layered them on a simple cottage style cake plate, lined with pretty bakers paper, which sits on a second cake plate full of delicate white on white petit fours, layered with white buttercream. White sugar cookies covered with fairy sugar and mint green fairy dots, are irresistible on a vintage Milk Glass lattice plate. 

Looking through the white Apple Bloom Flowers, towards the mint green and white hutch full of beautiful dishes is so satisfying to me. Vintage criss cross glass doors sit wide open, inviting your eye in. I absolutely love love to layer for interest – so I extended the design outside the glass by adding hanging dishes on the wall. 

Fresh tulips are a must for me, when it comes to Easter, as well as having them in my garden. I added the fresh blooms to my English vintage enamel pitcher. I love to mix and match fabrics, textures, and even flowers. Turquoise and white Polka Dot Dinner napkins are mixed with Striped Dinner Napkins in the same hues. Always have fun with whatever you do in your home.

This custom mint green linen table cloth is the perfect base layer to add white dishes, candy jars, and cake stands atop. Adding a touch of black and white to the table and hutch, as well as a touch of vintage, adds depth to the look. Little baby dishes with scolloped edges full of Easter Jelly Beans, is a sweet personal touch for each guest.

Final touches are just like the icing on the cake. Custom slipcovered cushions blend seamlessly on the white wicker dining chairs, topped with pretty throw blankets. 

I hope by pulling this entire Easter room together, brings a little happiness to you, and to whoever you are able to share it with. The Easter Bunny will hop up the path with goodies in his basket for all! Happy Easter, from my family to yours! xo

 

MOTHERS DAY GIFT

MOTHERS DAY GIFT

My new book, Simply by the Sea, is the perfect Mothers Day gift for your special Mom! This year, treat your mom to a gift full of design inspiration that she can enjoy all year long. The first 10 to buy Simply by the Sea at Sweet Summer USA receive a signed copy of Simply by the Sea, by Tracey Rapisardi AND also receive a Simply by the Sea, hand carved fish key chain. Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms in the world!! xoxo

BOOK SIGNING: Simply by the Sea

BOOK SIGNING: Simply by the Sea

I would love for you to join us Friday, April 19th for a book signing for my new book, Simply by the Sea. We have copies of the book available here at Summer and Company for purchase.

Where: Summer + Company  431 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

When: Friday  April 19th  from 11:00am to 2:00pm

Hope you all can make it!! xoxo

Tracey

SIMPLY BY THE SEA

SIMPLY BY THE SEA, BY TRACEY RAPISARDI

April 1st, 2019 is finally here!!! Simply by the Sea is now available! Those who have pre-ordered, should be receiving their copies today, or within the next few days! I hope everyone who reads, Simply by the Sea, feels a warm ocean breeze with the turn of every page. A very special thank you to my talented and supportive family; Richie, Nicky and Mandi. And also a very special thank you to my wonderful clients who allowed me to share their beautiful homes to the world. Lastly, thank you to the team at 83Press and to my dear friend Cathy Still McGowin.

Simply by the Sea Home

Sand between your toes – salt in your hair – sun on your skin – and the sea in your soul… Within these pages, you can always have Simply by the Sea, year round… No matter where you are… if only to imagine…

xoxo,

Tracey Rapisardi

Amazon: Simply by the Sea

Barnes and Noble: Simply by the Sea

83 Press: Simply by the Sea

THE COTTAGE JOURNAL MAGAZINE

THE COTTAGE JOURNAL MAGAZINE

The Cover of the NEW 2019 The Cottage Journal is adorned with this wonderful Living Room, from a house I designed and built in Maine. Inside this magazine (on news stands now) you will see a beautiful ad for my new book, Simply by the Sea, as well as a charming spread titled, Longing for the Sea.

Make sure to follow me on Instagram @Tracey_Rapisardi_Design and also check out my new website, Simply by the Sea Home.com, where you can see more of my new book, including; design tips, before and afters, new projects and much more!

Happy first day of SPRING!!

SIMPLY BY THE SEA, BY TRACEY RAPISARDI

SIMPLY BY THE SEA,  BY TRACEY RAPISARDI

 

Some of you may have been wondering, where has Tracey been? and why have we not seen her work or heard from her lately?… Well finally, I can answer that question with so much excitement… I have been working on my first book, “Simply by the Sea”.

Back in September, 2016, I was approached by a publisher, 83 Press, about doing a book of my work. After 2 + years of  designing, creating, styling, and yes – even photographing the book, it is DONE! I wanted to bring a lifestyle to my readers of “Simply by the Sea” that covers all the charms of living by the sea. Whether it’s designing your house, hosting a seaside gathering, or just being the all around beach bum. In this book, you will find all different design styles. Whether its cottage, classic, modern, vintage, farmhouse, beach, country, or if it’s located in a cove, on the beach, in a harbor, on an island, up the street or miles away.

Having strong family ties to the ocean and raising my children by the sea, I share my designs for a lifestyle that simply goes with the seaside mindset. You will see the many details of a coastal home and way of life by the sea, and experience the feeling of… ”I don’t want this to end”, which we all know and love.

I long to work and design a home that my clients dream of with a life style that will last in their hearts. So as the years have gone by,  I have chosen 7 homes that I created, photographed and styled with my daughter Mandi’s help. (We have worked so very hard to bring you the feeling and lifestyle of “Simply by the Sea”) 

Everyone wants a seaside lifestyle to last more than a summer… So relax and be inspired by my first book “Simply by the Sea”. Pre order has started and it will be released on April 1st 2019. Purchase links below. And follow along on our journey at

Simply by the Sea Home

Sand between your toes – salt in your hair – sun on your skin – and the sea in your soul… Within these pages, you can always have Simply by the Sea, year round… No matter where you are… if only to imagine…

xoxo, 

Tracey Rapisardi

Amazon: Simply by the Sea

Barnes and Noble: Simply by the Sea

83 Press: Simply by the Sea

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY  XOXO

Hope your day is full of love!

DESIGNER SWEETS

DESIGNER SWEETS FOR CHRISTMAS

A beautiful kitchen cupboard full of mugs and dishes for your hot cocoa and butter cookies.

 

Baking for Christmas is one of the best parts of the holiday. Mandi and I, working on new cookie designs. The sweet smell of butter filled the cottage kitchen with an oh so cozy aroma… There is nothing like butter cookies right out of the oven.

 

Sweet buttery treats that melt in your mouth. We made royal icing and tinted it all different shades of turquoise with soft whites. Silver candy stars top the Christmas trees, adorned with light pink, mint green, and turquoise French Dragees (Sugar Pearls).

 

Laying out all the cookies for everyone to enjoy as if it were an page from a childrens book. Cottages all lined up in a row with christmas trees, as reindeer fly overhead. Sugar snow flakes fall to make snowmen, and the half moon sleeps as the night falls near.

 

End the day with homemade cocoa topped with hand cut pink marshmallows. Sweet sugar cookie cottages and sweet hearts, made to sit on the rim of the mugs, melt in your mouth as you enjoy your cozy treat.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year! Stay Warm… xoxo

COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE MOST POPULAR BEACH COTTAGE ON INSTAGRAM.

COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE MOST POPULAR BEACH COTTAGE ON INSTAGRAM.

Coastal Living Magazine hired Mandi and I to style out this beach cottage for the Holidays. We worked like little elves making pillows, decorations and soft bedding to snuggle up in and stay warm. We handmade most of the decorations, filled our sleigh (Land Rover at the time) and brought in wicker chairs, white coffee table, dishes, wreathes, Christmas trees, garlands, cozy bedding, and much more. Summer and Company made pillows, bedding and stockings for the dreamy fireplace mantle and also to hang at the end of the warm and cozy beds. Summer and Company is my “go-to” for bedding and custom pillows etc (owned by my daughter Mandi) Christmas music chimed in the background while we wrapped prop presents and made decorative cookies for the shoot. We then headed outside in the cold to decorate the exterior with simple evergreens from Maine tied up with white bows.  We filled the window boxes with fresh boughs adorned with little red berries. As soon as we finished it began to snow , which was great for the photograph!! To this day, it is still Coastal Living Magazines most popular beach cottage on Instagram at #1. Click here to take the full house tour, or click the cute cottage above to see the inside!

MERRY CHRISTMAS xxoo

 

MY NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE

MY NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!!

Come and see my new website that just went live! New projects and many more to come! Visit by clicking here or click the pretty living room picture above!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

 

Just wanted to let you know,  I am now on Instagram! I will be sharing new projects, photos of day to day Interior Design, and many photos of our travels. Click the picture above, or click here, and follow me. So much happening and many exciting things to come!! Can’t wait to share it with you!!

LOVE TO SARASOTA

LOVE TO SARASOTA

All our love to Sarasota and all areas of Florida, effected by Hurricane Irma. Let the sunshine fill your soul with love. xoxo

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

An enchanted evening to start the New Year!! Sugar rimmed glasses of bubbling champagne… a wonderful celebration cake baked with just the slightest touch of champagne. (you will have to wait until I do a cookbook to get my recipe) And to top it off, sparklers of 2017 to make any cake festive and exciting!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR with lots of wonderful times and projects to come!!

Speaking at High Point Market

SPEAKING AT HIGH POINT MARKET

Off we go to High Point Market to speak on the Design Panel and explore new creative furnishings – going to be so much fun!! I was asked to join Steele Marcoux, the new Editor-in-Chief of Coastal Living Magazine, as well as top designers – Meg Braff and Michael Murphy and discuss new and creative ways to incorporate color into the home.

 

 

HIGH POINT MARKET: The World’s Home for Home Furnishings

The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, bringing more than 75,000 people to High Point every six months. Serious retail home furnishings buyers can be found in High Point twice a year because if you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist.

Current Demographics

• 180 Buildings
• 11.5 Million Square Feet of Show Space
• 75,000 Attendees Each Market
• More Than 2000 Exhibitors
• 100+ Countries Represented
• Tens of Thousands of New Product Introductions
• Approximately 10% of Attendees Are International

 

Tracey Rapisardi partners with Southern Living and Coastal Living Magazine!

TRACEY RAPISARDI DESIGN, LLC PARTNERS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING AND COASTAL LIVING!

SARASOTA, FL, MARCH 5, 2015 – TRACEY RAPISARDI DESIGN, LLC has been selected as a member of the Coastal Living and Southern Living Designer Network, a group of editorially recommended designers for readers of the Time Inc. titles. In late 2014, Coastal Living and Southern Living partnered to launch this brand-credentialed group of interior designers in key markets across the country.

All designers in the network have been vetted by editorial representatives of each magazine.

“Together Coastal Living and Southern Living inspire more than 20 million consumers each month with great interior design,” said Sid Evans, editor-in-chief of Southern Living. “This collaboration will allow designers the opportunity to connect with our consumers and bring the look of the magazines to life.”

“Our new Designer Network further strengthens our ties with the design community and showcases our unique roles as authorities on design to both the trade and consumers,” said Antonia van der Meer, editor-in-chief of Coastal Living.

 

“To be asked to go into partnership with Southern Living and Coastal Living is a great honor. I look forward to working with both brands on projects that will influence the readers and viewers with style – whether it is a home, a table set for dinner, or items in your beach bag!! It will be a wonderful experience to work closely with Southern Living and Coastal Living in this great adventure.” – Tracey Rapisardi

 

 

 

As an editorially recommended designer for readers of the Time Inc. titles (Southern Living and Coastal Living) we met in Nashville for a conference with brand-credentialed; builders and developers from across the country, sponsors of the Custom Builder Program, as well as the editors of both Southern Living and Coastal Living. What a great time we had and what creative and kind people we met!

 

Southern Living and Coastal Living did such a seamless job in Nashville – all the details were impeccable. Even down to the registration table decorated with Nashville flower arrangement. So cute!

 

Girl’s road trip???… Since we are located in Sarasota, FL, we thought it would be a good idea to make it a girls road trip – so we could have a little extra time to explore Nashville!

aka: shop… eat… and drink ; )

 

A morning in Franklin, TN… Just 20 minutes from Nashville was a little dream town – from the boutiques to the restaurants! Lunch at 55 South was fantastic – and the ambiance was just what you would expect in TN.

 

Save the best little shop for last… Ice cream… xxoo

 

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy 2015… xxoo

 

A Cozy White Christmas

A COZY WHITE CHRISTMAS

Getting ready for a cozy white Christmas in Sarasota Florida. Mandi’s Cottage is like being in a dreamy White Christmas. Baking fluffy mini Christmas cakes and drinking hot cocoas as we wrap gifts and children write to Santa. Oooooh what fun it is getting ready for the Holiday’s. Fluffy Christmas cakes on a cloud of white, topped with snow flakes and silver glitter sprinkles. Enjoying Christmas candy and all kinds of goodies.

Next to the wintery white Christmas Tree are gifts being wrapped with creative thoughts. Then it’s time to sit and get cozy with a blanket and cup of spicy hot cider.  A wonderful way to spend an evening during the Holiday Season. I will be spending my Christmas at Mandi’s Christmas Cottage with family and friends!!

I wish you all a Happy Merry Christmas.

 

 

THE NEW COTTAGE STYLE MAGAZINE FALL/WINTER IS OUT

THE NEW COTTAGE STYLE MAGAZINE FALL/WINTER IS OUT!!

 

My latest spread in Cottage Style Magazine has just hit News Stands.

This Sarasota, FL cottage has a fresh Key West vibe with crisp whites and all the colors of the tropics. Pick it up on News Stands now and enjoy the Sarasota lifestyle.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

Take a look at my all AMERICAN style on the wharf in Nantucket, MA. A small cottage that I remodeled and designed!

 

 

The classic American nautical look… Red – White – and Blue! Look out the seaside window as boats sail through the harbor, how charming is that? Real life coastal living.

 

 

Sweet Summer linens on the cottage beds. Sweet dreams as the salty sea air rolls in through the windows.

 

 

Enjoy your barbecues, sparklers, and fireworks on this 4th of July…

AND may your summer be filled with bike rides, fireflies, and family! xxoo

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

SWEET HEARTS on the porch in sunny Sarasota! How fun is that big heart pillow…

Little heart shapes on a dresser – simple and sweet!

Touches of love with hearts in your home. Give your rooms a special feel with little hearts mixed in with Sweet Summer Linens. Who doesn’t love a heart shape!

BEACH HOUSE STYLE

BEACH HOUSE STYLE

Here is another project of mine just featured in the Coastal Living’s Beach House Style book. Enjoy some more 3rd floor nooks and crannies of the featured 2008 Coastal Living Idea House!

Whether your on the West Coast, East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota, FL – a beach house is always a place to make memories.

A beach house third floor has always been a kids place for the summer to play with brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and beach buddies you just met. I designed the plans for this beach house keeping in mind how important it was to have this 3rd floor! Piling into the beach club of the third floor – oh what memories I have as a kid.

A Bigger bed for the older kids is perfectly positioned with sailboat shelves and an additional cot for sleep overs. How charming are the Sweet Summer Linens?

Always make nooks and crannies. This is the perfect nook to put the old fashioned cot. What child wouldn’t LOVE this?

Colorful fan and beach towels!!

Puff puff’s for everyone!!!

A place to hang your bathing suit, towels, and summer clothing… IT’S THE BEACH!!

Calling all beach babies!! I said this to my little beach babies as they grew up on the beach. Calling all beach babies to the Sweet Summer Linens magical tent – which my daughter Mandi designed and created. Story time… and then maybe nap time for the kids… Then cocktail time for the parents ; )

A twin bed in a nook with boat windows above to hear the surf and smell the salt air! All the bedding was custom made by Sweet Summer Linens.

All products can be purchased through;

Tracey Rapisardi Design

Sarasota FL

941 -359-0208

TraceyRapisardiDesign.com

SUMMER BEACH COTTAGE PART 2

SUMMER BEACH COTTAGE PART 2

Here is part 2 of the Summer Beach Cottage featured in Cottage Style Bookazine by Meredith Publications. Hope you enjoy!!!

Sweet summer cottages – whether your on the coast of Sarasota FL or on the eastern seaboard… There’s nothing like being by the sea!!

Welcome to the summer cottage! Everyone needs a porch by the sea. Cutting flowers from the garden to make the cottage feel welcoming to all it’s guest. A place to sit and be happy, after a swim in the ocean. Ocean air throughout the cottage. Watermelon is a summer treat in Sarasota FL… Endless summer -you have to love it!! All the fresh ocean air and the summer sun. There’s nothing like jumping in a bed of fresh linens made by sweet summer linens. Fresh linens with the smell of roses and ocean air blowing in… ahh!! Please don’t end! Pretty! A bed to snuggle up in. Oh those sweet summer lines – second floor loft that over looks the sea – what a dream!

Details, details, details!!

Check out more of this cottage at Cottage Style.

Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Happy 4th of July weekend! Red, White and Blue – now that’s AMERICAN.

Thought I would share this photo with you all, considering the holiday. It’s a seaside project I designed in the harbor on Nantucket – featured in Coastal Living Magazine.

Summer Beach Cottage

SUMMER BEACH COTTAGE

We’re back!! We have been gone for a while on projects for clients and setting up our design studio and showroom in Sarasota, FL.  HAPPY 1st DAY OF SUMMER!!!

Being the first day of summer, everyone dreams of having a cottage on the beach… or nearby… This project was a vintage cottage that I gave a fresh stylish remodel to without taking away the original charm… HAPPY SUMMER and get ready for tan lines and sandy toes!

This Summer Beach Cottage is a recent project of mine that was just featured in Cottage Style Bookazine by Meredith Publications. The project ended up being bigger than anticipated, so I’m going to break it down into 3 blogs!

June is my favorite time on the coast. With all the wild roses blooming everywhere, oh the smell of them in the salt air is heaven.

I brightened up the cottage by painting all the knotty pine walls and ceilings. Happy colors for a happy place on this front door.

Summer time calls for sandy toes and bare feet, so give your colorful flip flops and summer sneakers a rest.

Sit and take a break in this happy place of mixed and matched patterns. Fill your beach pales and pitchers with fresh picked flowers from the seaside garden, and enjoy the smells of summer.

Take a traditional sofa and jazz it up with fresh patterned pillows from Sweet Summer Linens. Most furniture pieces were designed by Tracey Rapisardi Design. To add some cottage charm, I designed the starfish cut out at the top of the stairs… details details details…

Oh my god – my favorite… a hot pink dining room table is the perfect addition to this Beach Cottage.  For a twist, paint your Windsor Bow Back Chairs white to break up the traditional stiffness. The scolloped trim throughout the cottage is original to the house – a must stay!

Mis-matched dishes on open shelving? Now thats true cottage style!

I put glass panel doors in the original cabinets, again painted it all white and changed out the hardware and hinges. The glass doors in this adorable cottage kitchen helps to make the room feel bigger. The scollops and corner shelves are again original to the cottage, and add wonderful charm. I added bead-board and butcher block to capture a true cottage feel. Colorful accessories add to the fun.

Time to make the cocktails with plenty of limes… Sweet summer drinks are on the way! Happy Summer Beach Babies!!!

Tracey and Mandi’s Christmas Cottage On A Seaside Cove

A Christmas cottage on the seaside cove in Kennebunk Port, Maine.

Come in and enjoy the Christmas cottage by the sea that me and my wonderful daughter, Mandi, created in the cove at Kennebunk beach in Maine, which adorns the pages of Coastal Living Magazine. We had so much fun creating this project.

Making cupcakes and Christmas cookies in the kitchen for Christmas is heartwarming. Stringing seashell lights up the stair case for an enchanting evening!

Overlooking the cove on Christmas morning with Christmas goodies in jars.

At the kitchen sink Christmas morning looking out at the sea.

Tumbled beach stones from the beach outside make a wonderful fireplace to hang Christmas stockings. Old general store doors out to a porch overhanging the cove. A warm cozy fire to warm your toes, Christmas tree with handmade decorations, stockings made by Sweet Summer Linens, cotton throws to keep warm so you can snuggle up Christmas day.

Stockings hanging by the fire, seashells, pepper berries, seeded eucalyptus and pine boughs make the mantle all natural.

Make paper cottages to add some whimsy to it and general store jars full of vintage Christmas bulbs. Create a clothesline and pin your stockings like we did. You can add a little sparkle by covering the clothespins in old fashioned glitter.

What’s a Christmas cottage without all the trimmings?

Christmas stockings hanging one by one, filled with Christmas goodies. Oh, how sweet!

Paper Christmas cottages designed by Mandi of Sweet Summer Linens. A fun project to enjoy with your children to embellish your decor.

Evening time is a wonderful time to sit and enjoy the lighted tree. Seashell lights are a perfect coastal Christmas idea.

Sailboats made from paper with an old fashioned, simple paper chain, glitter snowflakes, white glass bulbs with polka dots on them can make a charming seacoast cottage tree. Simple and fun to make. Tip: We sprayed white paint on the tree to make it frosted.

What’s Christmas without a few pretty wrapped gifts? So pretty that you do not want to open them.

It’s evening. Time for bed snuggling and dreaming of santa and the cinnamon yeast rolls on Christmas morning with icing.

It’s Christmas morning. Smell the sausage cooking and the cinnamon yeast rolls coming out of the oven. Ooooh, what a smell!

A small vintage Christmas tree to add to a bedroom so when you are sleeping you have a cozy Christmas feel.

Christmas gifts await at the foot of the bed. Pretty boxes and pretty ribbons add to the Christmas ambience.

A quiet nook to make Christmas ornaments, cards and crafts.

Santa quietly filling Christmas stockings at the ends of the beds as you quietly sleep, dreaming of Christmas morning.

A special place to read a Christmas story to the little ones. Paper mittens and seashells hang from the window while fresh boughs with pepper berries adorn the sill. Light the candles on the window sill Christmas night. How enchanting!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and to all a good night!

A Small Cottage on Charming Nantucket Island

A small charming cottage with beach rocks in front for your parking spot.

A grassy casual path to the front door. Simple, simple, simple.

I try not to do the red, white and blue theme on the homes I do on Nantucket. This is one where I did not follow that path. This lovely room with its ice pink walls and colorful pillows is not traditional. (I will bring you this soon in another blog.)

The kitchen nook with a bedroom off the kitchen is a true small cottage making space for everything. Charming, charming, charming. Instead of formal cabinetry, I used vintage pieces for the cabinets. Add a fun table and mix up!

A small place for your laundry. I striped the walls to make it fun and unique.

Took doors off to make open shelving. Found vintage fire king dishes to mix in with newer dishes, which looks great with the color of the fire king. The old breadbox is perfect.

Old iron bed with vintage fabric pillows from Sweet Summer. All the linens are from Sweet Summer in this project. What a great place to snuggle in after a long day in the sun and salt air.

The quaint harbor of Nantucket. I have done numerous projects here and have a special spot in my heart for it. More on Nantucket to come!

Sweet Summer Style Coquina Cottage Part II of the Main Cottage

This is one of many southern, tropical projects I have finished. I took existing furniture and refurnished it for an up-to-date look. I also had new furniture built for the cottage while still maintaining a vintage cottage look.

This was a three year long project – a one hundred year old cottage on the Gulf of Mexico! It was a gem that needed love and attention. I kept it mainly in its original state accept for redoing the kitchen and the bathrooms. I changed the colors because everything was mint green, both outside and in! There was originally beach sand where the pool is now, which made it the perfect place for a puddle pool. All the cottages surrounding the main cottage are original.

What a place! Come enjoy some of the inside…

Striped floors add fun to this screened-in porch, overlooking the pool. Sweet mermaid light with colorful furniture.

To give it an airy feel, I designed open shelving and added a butcher block island. What a kitchen!

Dinner anyone?!

Sleeping porch with whimsical art we made on the wall so it would be different and fun. Sleep while the waves hit the beach like a lu-lla-by.

Master bedroom has a headboard made out of an old theater frame cut in two. Added filling to the middle and covered in a striped fabric and voila! It’s a funky headboard. No one else will have this!

A place to sit, have an iced tea and relax. I used vintage wicker furniture and added new outdoor fabric. We also made some of the pieces.

Simple guest bedroom by the beach. This room is facing the ocean – oh, listen to that surf!

Vintage wicker on the porch overlooking the sea – the beautiful sea.

Sweet Summer Style Coquina Cottage Part I of the Main Cottage

To the main cottage we go!

A bubbling fountain welcomes you to the middle of the court yard. Love that sound.

The pathway to the puddle pool which has no edge. Mermaid spa with seashell cottage.

The back of Coquina Cottage is a puddle pool. The front is the beach.

Up to the porch to have lunch. Key West shrimp, anyone?

To the beach we shall go for the afternoon!

Sea grape trees in the sand and Adirondack Chairs at Coquina Beach.

Around the corner and into the kitchen. Coming soon – stay tuned to see the inside of Coquina Cottage in Part II. See you then!

Sweet Summer Style at Periwinkle Cottage

Twin arbor in the compound of cottages.

Through the gates to the sister shell cottage. What a wonderful way to enter the sister cottage called Periwinkle.

Enter the old fashioned sleeping porch at Periwinkle Cottage.

What a wonderful sleeping porch with striped floors for fun. A mix-match of soft cotton bedding to snuggle in and rockers to rock as you listen to the waves crash on the beach. Something we should all experience.

Sitting and reading in a sea of soft linens with patterns and colors. Feel yourself relax and enjoy the day at the cottage.

A day bed to have a nap or read after sunning on the beach.

Have a drink on the other end of the porch. Simple wicker chairs and a vintage table under the paddle fan where you can enjoy your summer meals.

Hot pink cabinet with colorful glasses in this colorful cottage kitchen. Color, color, color!

This is two-in-one. A place to have a big gathering of family and friends. Laugh and enjoy each other. Soft furnishings and a fire place to lie by on chilly evenings.

A mantle with a cool sign and glass lamps that glow at night.

Fun – Fun – Fun master bedroom! Bedding with bright and bold hues and a beach sign painted in great colors. Vintage mantle overhead with these funky finials make up a headboard. Custom linens are fun, after all, this is the beach!

Sweet hibiscus everywhere.

Sweet Summer Style at Seashell Cottage

The blooming arbor to the guest pool cottage.

Happy climbing blooming vine.

Reflections by the puddle pool. Getting ready to swim and sun!

A guest cottage where any one would want to stay and never leave. A pool out your door with salt air and plenty of sunshine.

A welcoming entrance to a small two room guest cottage by the seashore with a puddle pool and mermaid spa to relax.

Mermaid pouring water through her seashell. Beautiful glass tile spa to relax and ponder you thoughts.

Sun-faded mermaid and the sound of trickling water will make you have happy thoughts.

The sun-faded mermaid on her side.

Oh, the simplicity of a guest cottage!

A bay window with a seat to use every inch. B-board wainscoting to add architectural interest to the space. Soft, washable linen fabrics.

Small kitchenette to make your cold drinks and snacks to enjoy by the pool. A guest can find the snuggly bedroom down the hall.

Jump into the soft bed with sun-faded linens and have sweet dreams.

Summer months are the best, aren’t they?

A time for you and family to break from everyday life and enjoy your surroundings. A chance to be creative, read a book, float in a pool, stargaze in the mermaid spa and listen to the waves of the sea.

Sweet Summer Style

Enjoy sweet summer days as you are going through a Honeysuckle Arbor. Open the gate to a wonderful world of sun, sand, surf and salt air.

The tiny cottage along the sea.

A sun-filled cottage with calming colors.

Gathering driftwood to have a fire on the beach. Take time relaxing in vintage beach chairs, which add color and charm to outdoor space.

A pool cottage for guests to enjoy! Anyone for a swim in a Puddle Pool?

Sea shells by the sea shore…

Mermaid with pink details on a sea shell path to the beach.

Rum Runners anyone? A colorful area outside to mix up and indulge in a cocktail before sunset. Cheers!

Stripes and dots – who ever said they don’t go together?

Having fun with glassware; mixing old and new. Sit back with a tall lemonade and enjoy the summer months.

A place to snuggle and enjoy the company of family and friends. Mixing fabric patterns makes the look cheery and interesting. All these pillows make you want to jump in.

Gathering treasures on the beach and holding on to them.

Sit and relax outside among these vibrant colors.

A cute sleeping loft for the beach babies above a sweet cottage with gardens.

Trellis with a growing vine. Gardening in the summer can be relaxing and rewarding.

What a beautiful color!