Florida Room Challenge

I love spring and summer. Everything is so beautifully manicured and has a clean and fresh vibe.  I recently visited Amelia Island Florida where the weather was a beautiful 88 degrees and fabulous the entire week. There are such amazing properties in Florida.  We have often talked about moving there to retire.  It’s an easy flight back home to see friends and family and you can’t beat the weather. I’m already used to the humidity so my hair will still have issues for another few decades.  However, you could say I live the “salt life” already.   I’m 25 minutes from Virginia Beach and an hour away from Nags Head.  Although we have four distinct seasons here, I can still see a gorgeous beach sunrise or sunset anytime I want.

I am currently redoing our back patio and around our pool and designing an outdoor kitchen area.  I’m so excited for this home update, because we really are the kind of folks that entertain more outside.  My husband has clients over frequently and our two teenagers have friends over at the pool a lot.  We thought it was time to take the plunge and make the back of the house what we’ve always envisioned. Here is my moodboard for my patio decor.  I’m really into the resort black and white stripe for the accessories. While keeping the main pieces more neutral in beige and white.

 

My sunroom update mood board. www.jennelyinteriors.com

When I think of coastal living I’m not necessarily drawn to beach themed decor, but rather comfortable interiors that have a relaxed peace about them. When owning a beach property, you can bring the same style and decor you use in your permanent residence to your beach property.  For an example of this style home, check out Shauna at The House of Silver Lining.  Her beach home looks just like she decorates her permanent residence. AND…. I think it is just fabulous.  Here are some tips for creating your Florida room or outdoor entertaining space.

  1. It is key to make any beach property or your Florida room low maintenance.  When designing my dream space, there were tons of rooms I saw that were glamorous and gorgeous, but they were not practical or livable spaces for my family.  You don’t want to live in a showroom. Think about the purpose of your space.  Will you be entertaining overnight guests? Will you be throwing parties?  Once you know how you will be using your space you can get a better plan for starting your own moodboard.
  2. Create a calming, relaxing space.  You need to be comfortable in your home. Soft neutral shades create relaxation.  I’m sure you’ve seen all those home improvement shows on HGTV and they are always painting the bedroom a calming neutral color.  That’s because they want to make it a relaxing, calm space.  You are looking to bring casual comfort in your furniture and design choices.  You will be spending lots of time in your Florida room or beach home.  You may have a magnificent view overlooking the ocean or a serene sanctuary of a space in your home that you can call your own.  Whatever place you can escape to, needs to have calming colors.
  3. Try to have a natural light source in your space.  Natural light has so many benefits.  From the economical reasons such as heating to health factors such as prevention of seasonal anxiety disorder.  Of course bloggers love it because it gives us the perfect set up for taking pictures for our posts.  So many reasons why natural sunlight is the way to go.
  4. Use accessories to bring in personality. I like to create a blank canvas by using a neutral color palette with my large pieces as anchors and then add pops of color in my accessories.  Things like pillows, area rugs. and decor items can be easily changed out as seasons change or your taste changes.  These items are less expensive and are easier to change out.  Then adding some greenery by using artificial or real plants will seal the deal.  I am not one that has had much luck with keeping my plants alive.  Whether real or artificial the fig tree is quite popular right now.
  5. Unplug technology and spend time with family. Even if you can’t live in a beach location, create a place to escape from the everyday rat race. Your place of solitude to get away from it all.  Unplug your technology and feel the serene surroundings.  Give your family and friends your undivided attention.  Everyone needs time away from the stresses of work and life’s worries.

I hope you have a place you enjoy spending time or entertaining guests.  I am almost ready to give you a tour of the outside of my home.  I can’t wait to present that post to you guys.  The outdoor kitchen and fire pit won’t be ready until closer to fall, but I’m okay with that.  We can have s’mores in September after Friday night football games.

Yours Truly,

Jenn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *