Be Colorful Coastal

This Colorful Dining Room Needed A Neutral Rug

 

 

 

This is a room full of bold choices.

A dining room of vibrant colors and ebullient patterns.

But it wasn't always that way.

 

 

This is how the dining room looked the year after we moved in. The furniture had a cherry finish, the cabinetry was painted black, the countertops were brown, and the chandelier was still bronze and hadn't been repurposed to the bathroom. You can read about that here.

 

 

I was thrilled when the furniture came back from the painter and then the chairs from the upholsterer but it left me with a new dilema.

What to do for a rug?

Because the dining room can be seen from both the foyer and the living room, I needed this rug to coordinate well with the rugs in those rooms. I knew I didn't want any more pattern here but a blue or coral rug just seemed to be too much.

So, the room remained sans rug for several years. It was easy to vacuum though. :D

Whenever I shared this room in a post, I typically took my photos at angles that didn't show the lower part of the table so you, dear reader, wouldn't question my bare floors. 

 

 

 

I thought about a jute or sisal style rug with a coral border but I couldn't find the right shade. They was either too rusty, too orange, or too pink. 

So in the end, I went with something totally neutral because even a color promoter like me knows that sometimes a room needs a visually restful point.

 

 

 

I'm happy with how it is coming together.

 

I like the contrast between the casual weave of the rug and the sparkle and subdued glam of the chandelier. I am also pleased that this rug doesn't compete with the playfully patterned chairs or other nearby rugs. But most of all I'm happy with how it flows so well with the beachy, plank- wood floors.

 

 

 

I'm currently looking for an old wardrobe or fretwork style cabinet that I can paint and use as a bar cabinet and eventually some artwork for this room, but at least I can cross a dining room rug off of my list of projects for 2022.

 

 

The New Bar/Prep Station Reveal

 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we seem to be drinking more alcohol than we used to.

This led to an issue of where to store the liquor, mixers, and barware.

This was our first solution, a refurbished TV cabinet in the dining room.

 

 

I still love it but I wouldn't say I liked leaving our guests in the kitchen while I went to the dining room to get what I needed to mix a cocktail.

 

Eventually, we decided to add a cabinet to the dining corner of the kitchen.

I wanted this bar/prep station to look more like a piece of furniture and not like an extension of the kitchen cabinetry.  So, we created this layout with the help of our contractor and kitchen designer.

 

 

 

It was built with feet and a thinner countertop to give it more of a furniture look.

I like how this piece gives a visual division between the family room and the kitchen we didn't have before but it doesn't block the views in either direction.

 

 

 

 

The cabinet was built in three sections. The middle section consists of refrigerator drawers. These SubZero drawers can easily have a wait list of eight months or more but we were lucky enough to find a display unit with a full warranty that we could have immediately. Our contractor did the bulk of the build at his shop but then moved and bolted the pieces together and attached the drawer fronts on site. It looked pretty weird when it first arrived. LOL

 

 

In keeping with the piece of furniture idea, I chose a different stone than we had used in the kitchen. This piece is topped with Silestone Eternal Dor.

The veining is much warmer than what we used for countertops in the kitchen but it is subtle enough that the two surfaces are compatible.

 

 

 

 

The hardware we chose from Hickory Hardware was the perfect compliment to the veining. 

 

 

Moving all the liquor bottles and a lot of the glassware to this cabinet not only freed up a lot of space in the kitchen but having everything within reach makes entertaining so much easier.

But the best part is this added refrigeration... 

 

 

 

 

Cocktails anyone?

 

 

At Our House We Are Consuming More Alcohol

 

There seems to be a lot more drinking going on at our house than there used to be. 

 

 

 

We are working with our contractors to come up with a more permanent storage option (more on that in my next post) but in the meantime, I came up with this temporary solution.

 

 

I found her on Marketplace.

I loved the blue but even a color evangelist like me knows there is such a thing as too much and with our colorful dining room set, this was too much.

 

 

So I decided to paint the cabinet the same color as the table. I had the table and chairs professionally painted but I'm undecided if the cabinet will stay here. So, for now, I painted it myself in the same sedate Benjamin Moore Cloud Cover.

 

 

Then I added some plain old gold craft paint to brighten up and bring a bit of glam to the metal stand. 

 

 

I brought in a bit more gold and a chinoiserie touch with these Ginkgo knobs from Etsy

 

 

and voila!

I have a great cabinet that is large enough to keep all the liquor bottles in one place and deep enough to accommodate these larger turntables.

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful Table Top Concepts

Colorful Tabletop Options For Our Florida Home

 

Last week I hosted a book group here at the house and realized that my linen choices were ready for a refresh. I love a banana leaf print, but I'm getting a little tired of this one. I want another option.

 

 

 

This is our dining room. As you can see, I am not afraid of color or mixing patterns.

 

 

This dining room set was left by the previous homeowner. It was well made but was too dark and traditional for my Florida vision.  I decided to have the table and chair frames painted and then reupholstered the chairs in two vibrant fabrics.

 

 

I love the unexpectedness that this set creates but it does require a bit more thought when pulling together table linens.

That said, every colorful design also needs a place for the eyes to rest. For me, it is white dishes. My mom told me that food always looks good on white and I listened to her. 

 

 

This home was purchased as our second residence so that required buying everything new. It was overwhelming. I only wanted to purchase one set of dishes so I needed something that could check a casual and slightly more formal box. 

The gray dining table, like the dishes, has the same calming effect and I typically go with a table runner instead of a full tablecloth. It lets the table shine through and makes the setting feel a bit more casual.

 

 

I bought these Jaye Studio chargers last year and I still haven't used them because my dishes are also white. To have a contrast between the dinner plate and the charger I need to either paint the centers of these or find another smaller charger or round placemat that will fit inside the gold bamboo-style rim. In my head, it looks amazing.

 

 

find them here

 

Now that I've started looking at new linens, I know I want to make a statement. 

Bring on the corals and bold floral prints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe a stripe combined with a modern twist on a damask...

 

 

 

 

I also love this classic trellis and pair it with a coastal shell pattern.

 

 

But why limit my choices to the only corals?

 

 

I love the contrast with the green.

 

 

 

Bringing in blue is another thought...

 

 

 

 

 

 But it isn't just about the color. I also like to consider different design vibes like this colorful casual look

 

 

or this eclectic combo that I like to call the Matisse Collection.

 

It is so hard to decide!

Do you have a favorite look?

 

The solid napkins can be found on Amazon- here and here.

The green and white bamboo print placemat and napkins are available on Etsy from 33YellowClouds

The jade-green solid runner is from House of Burlap and can be purchased here.

All other napkins and table runners can be purchased on Etsy from Spoonflower Home

Happy shopping!

As for me, I have some decisions to make before participating in a progressive dinner next month. 

 

 

A Fresh Look For This Beachy Guest Bath

 

It doesn't look like an eighteen-month project, but it was.

Primarily because of labor shortages, but also because of supply chain issues, this modest bathroom update became an extended lesson in patience.

When we purchased the home it still had the gold-framed sliding shower doors, brown tile, a contractor-grade synthetic countertop, and a ubiquitous big-box store light fixture.

This space was a yawn.

 

 

 

 

In 2017 we were tackling numerous projects throughout this new-to-us house and our budget was stretched thin, so we decided to only update the most glaring design misses in the bathrooms. 

We started by changing out the offending countertop with a remnant of Taj Mahal granite and giving the existing vanity a fresh coat of paint.

The tiled floor was replaced with a beachy-vibed engineered wood that was installed on the diagonal and an upgraded light fixture also helped to give this bathroom a fresher look.

But removing the metal-framed shower doors and replacing them with a glass enclosure was the changeup that seemed to elevate this space the most. It was surprising how much larger it made the room look.  

 

 

For some reason, probably a Pinterest-inspired moment, I decided to have the ceiling painted a soft coral. I don't know why, but about a year later I noticed that the paint was fading around the canned lights in the ceiling. And the reality of that color didn't match the vision that had been in my head. It didn't take me long to realize that the result looked rather kitschy.

 

 

 

Jumping forward three years, most of the other bigger projects in the house were complete and we decided it was time to revisit the guest bathrooms. It was the beginning of 2020 when we called our contractor. Our timing was impeccable. 

 

 

We were toying with the idea of a move to another home in our development so, again, we wanted to stay within a budget but get the most impact from the dollars spent.

This round of upgrades would involve changing out the tile in the shower. I was thinking of resale so I wanted to keep it very neutral. I also have a lot of color throughout the house and I wanted a more sophisticated and clean look here.

 

 

We started looking at tiles in July 2020 but we didn't get an installer here until February 2021.

 

 

 

The ceilings in this room are twelve feet high and although we weren't going to take the tile to the ceiling, we wanted it to go up higher than the old tile had gone. The higher tile dwarfed the mirror (one thing always leads to another), so we decided to replace it with a larger piece of glass that would also allow for sconces mounted on the mirror itself.

 

We opted to keep the existing vanity but rejuvenate it with new doors. 

 

 

As I saw the new tile going in, I knew I loved it. It is just so much brighter and it reminds me of water and the beach.

 

 

The new shower fixtures and glass were installed

 

 

 

 

 

and the new cabinet doors and hardware finally arrived too.

 

 

We went with a minimalist style for the sconces

 

 

and a simple lantern design for the chandelier.

 

 

 

Then it was finally time to bring back the towels and add some fun personal touches.

I wanted the white and sand colors to be dominant but my love of color couldn't resist bringing in some of the watery blues and greens.

 

 

The framed outgrown swimsuits from Crew and Greer's earlier visit are a fun twist and a memorable beachy addition to this room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took eighteen months to complete and another ten months for me to write about it. 

 

From this...

 

 

to this...

 

 

I'm still looking for the right rug for this space and with the dramatic increases in home prices here in Florida, we have decided to stay right where we are for now. But check off another project as we work our way through this Florida home.

 

 

tiles:  back walls- Glaciar Wave Glossy 12x36

         side walls - HF Model 10 Glaciar solids 12x36 

 

countertop: Taj Mahal granite

 

flooring: Naturally Aged Wood Floors, The Medallion Collection in Speckled White

 

sconces: Crystorama Lena Collection available here

 

pendant chandelier: polished nickel cage pendant available here

 

framing source: my favorite framer here

 

monogram guest towels: available here

 

 

Bathroom Sconces That Look Spectacular When Hung Directly On The Mirror

Talon Wall Sconce

 

We are in the middle of updating two guest room baths.  This isn't our first round of remodeling. In fact, we are feeling like seasoned remodelers. Through our many projects we have learned that even in the best of times, projects like this invariably have their share of delays. But add in worker shortages, supply chain mayhem, and shipping issues, and every step becomes measurably more complicated. Our tile work in both bathrooms has been complete for over a month, but we have been at a standstill waiting for mirrors, cabinet fronts, shower doors, and workers to install them.

 

 

While I wait for some of the building products to come in, I have begun the hunt for the new lighting.

The new mirrors will still be large wall mirrors but they will have a wood frame and just like before, the lighting will be hung directly on the mirror. The difference is that this time I am planning on using sconces instead of a horizontal bar fixture. These options are a few of my faves...

Robert Abbey Drexel

 

I am not limiting my choices to just chrome or nickel, but I do like how those finishes look when hung directly on a mirror.

 

photo via harborallglass.com

 

 

I like the clean contemporary lines and the added illumination of this sconce with two lights.

 

Lighting First

 

 

 

This fixture is very versatile and could go with either a contemporary or more traditional space.

Lamps Plus

 

 

 

This one has a bit more of a coastal or nautical feel but how pretty is all that polished nickel?

Shades of Light

 

 

This fixture gives off adequate light but doesn't take up much space on the mirror; something to consider when laying out your lighting.

Hudson Valley Everett

 

Perhaps something with a more distinctive coastal feel would be a good design choice.

 

Lamps Plus

 

 

 

I like the bamboo theme of these next two sconces. It feels a bit tropical.

Lighting First

 

Visual Comfort

 

And I think white and silver would be very striking in an all-white bathroom.

 

Shades of Light

 

Well, stay tuned. The lights we ordered are in. Now I'm just waiting for all the other elements so we can finally pull our guest bathrooms together.

 

 

What A Difference Custom Framing Can Make

I just picked these up and I am beyond thrilled.

They are even more fun than I had ever imagined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bathrooms aren't completed yet but we have made some progress...

The tile work is finished,

 

 

but supply chain issues and worker shortages are a real thing.

 

As a result, we are still waiting on a different glass door for one of the showers,

paint,

cabinets,

mirrors,

and I am still trying to make a decision on lighting.

 

The last time they were here my two grandbabies wore these swimsuits and I thought framing them would be a fun way to remember their visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Originally, I considered going to a craft store and buying a white shadowbox frame. That would definitely have been more budget-friendly, but I wouldn't have gotten the same result. Because I plan on keeping these framed pieces for quite some time, I was willing to spend a bit more to get that custom look.

 

I work exclusively with Aldecor Custom Framing here in Naples, Florida. They have unexpected ideas and they know how to make the frame compliment the piece.

 

Here is a tea towel they framed for me a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love how this lacquered black frame becomes part of the piece by pulling out the black in the painting.

 

The textured mat here adds an organic feel to this oil pastel.

 

 

And who said frames need to be black, white, or metallic?  Bring on the color!

 

 

 

When it came to these swimsuits, the first thing the framer did was take measurements of both pieces to determine how much space would look right between the edges of the suits and the frames.

 

 

She asked if I intended to hang them side by side and if I visualized them at the same height or at varying heights. This was important because she was trying to calculate the symmetry of the two framed pieces.  This was tricky because of the different shapes we were dealing with. She wanted them to have similar distances from the edge of the fabric to the edge of the frame and compatible amounts of white space. I would never have thought about that.

 

 

 

 

 

We decided on a classic and clean-lined white frame, and Susan had the idea of covering the inside of the frame with a colored liner. I REALLY wouldn't have thought to do that but it took these wall hangings from ordinary to extraordinary!

 

 

 

 

 

I also knew that I didn't want the glare that you get off the glass in most mass-produced frames.

This was not the look I was going for.

 

 

The glass we went with is virtually invisible and you feel like you could just reach right in and touch the fabric. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell I'm a bit obsessed? I just ordered some monogrammed towels to coordinate with my wall art and now I'm off to look at lighting. I can hardly wait to see this room all pulled together.

*This is not a paid endorsement for Aldecor Custom Framing 

Painting by Sharon Erbe

 

 

Creating An Outdoor Oasis

 

I can hardly believe that it has been almost seven years since we made the decision to purchase a home in Florida.

 

 

 

We began our home search seven years ago this month and every home we considered had a  pool and a covered seating and dining area that is called a lanai. We are originally from Iowa and the only time I had ever heard that term before was on old episodes of The Golden Girls.   Most of the homes we were shown also had an attached screened-in area covering the pool that is referred to as a pool cage. We had never seen anything quite like them but now, after living in Florida, I wouldn't ever want to have a home without one.

 

 

This is how this part of our home looked when the previous owners were still here.

 

 

 

We had never had a pool before. Just the idea of having one and being able to swim in it whenever we wanted seemed to be enough. But, as it usually goes, once the newness wore off and we were able to look at things a bit closer, we started to see some cosmetic wear and tear. In reality, things looked tired. Some of it just needed a deep cleaning but other issues were going to require more attention.

 

For example, the glass block wall between the spa and the pool, which looked so cool in pictures, was aging quickly. The pool surface and tiles were also needing some TLC. We considered making temporary repairs but decided it was time for some design updates too.   

Some of the first changes we made to this part of our home were to resurface the pool with Pebble Tec, replace the glass block wall with a waterfall, and update the Mediterranean-styled ceramic tile with a more modern glass option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After upgrading the pool, we had the existing pool cage reinforced, re-screened, and repainted but in September of 2017 Hurricane Irma passed over our home and wiped out our improvements to the cage.

 

 

 

 

It wasn't money we wanted to spend and it took an entire year to get the pool cage rebuilt but the new building requirements called for stronger cage structures and allowed us to have larger openings between the supports. This new style is called picture window design and we like how much cleaner and open it looks.

 

This is how the pool cage looked before Irma 

 

 

and this is how it looks today.

 

 

 

Back when we were still looking at purchasing a home in southern Florida, we wondered if a pool cage was really necessary. It is!

 

 

 

The unobstructed view of a pool without a cage is beautiful but in this land of mosquitos, this more open-designed screening option is a great compromise.

 

 

While we were waiting for the pool cage to be replaced, we also upgraded the pavers around the pool. The original decking consisted of concrete pavers.

 

 

 

It was a laborious job but these professionals knew what they were doing. For someone like me, who hates math, this task would have been overwhelming.

For a few days, it looked like we had a beach right outside our kitchen window.

 

 

 

 

In the end, the new travertine tile deck looked great. Be forewarned, though, the tile is also more slippery than concrete pavers and something to think about if you are considering this for your own outdoor space.

 

 

 

With the new cage in place, we added a second set of bubble chairs to the far side of the pool and new rugs to the seating area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our most recent improvement to our outdoor oasis was the addition of a built-in grill and sink area.

 

 

 

It has taken seven years to pull together. Like most homes, our home is constantly evolving and now that I am finally sharing our outdoor space with you, I am already moving ahead with some changes to our furniture here. Stay tuned. Things are happening here at Be Colorful Coastal.

 

You might also find the following posts interesting if you would like to know more about the improvements we have made to this outdoor living part of our home.

 

  Angels and Gifts Along The Way (The one where we take a direct hit from Hurricane Irma).

One Year After Irma (The one where we rebuilt the cage and pool area)

Five Star Outdoor Grill Area ( The one where we add an outdoor kitchen)

Restoring A Pool ( The one where we updated and refurbished a fifteen-year-old pool).

 

Seasons In The South

Summer Accents For A Florida Home

 

 

 

 I haven't done anything drastic but last week I did make some small tweaks throughout the house to acknowledge summer.

Sometimes it is just moving existing pieces around to see what works but the beauty of designing with these bright tropical colors is that, just like in nature, they play so well together that the options seem limitless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually, I liked all of the possible vignettes but when I stood back, there were too many florals in the room. Something had to be eliminated and switched out.

 

 

I already have a couple of vases and glass bowls sprinkled around the room so I didn't want to do that again. A sculpture of some sort would be great but until I find the right piece, these candlesticks are my stand in.

 

 

 

 

I did, though, find a new teapot and candle holder for the kitchen table.

Thank you, Home Goods.

 

 

 

 

A collection of coral vases gave this niche a fresh new look.

 

 

And nothing says summer like a basket of striped beach towels.

 

These new hand towels were an easy refresh in a guest bathroom.

 

 

I'm guessing it is my Midwest background, but the changing of the seasons will probably always be my call to tweak, shuffle, and embellish our home.

Follow me to over to these two inspiring blogs for more creative inspiration...

Inspire Me Tuesday

and

Paintings are the works of Brenda Belfield and Sharron Erbe. Both artist's pieces can be seen at the Sweet Art Gallery in Naples, Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coral Themed Table Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palm Fronds

similar here

 

Faux Coral Branch

 

Coral placemats

also here

 

napkin rings

 

coral napkins were from Pier1 but unavailable now. Find similar here.

 

 

Modern Mediterranean Door Revealed

 

Finally, I can share our front door reveal. We had been sporadically looking at doors for almost a year but ultimately went with this updated, modern, and hurricane-rated impact door. Working with this style is still new to me and I was concerned about how well this modern door would pair up with the traditional Mediterranean exterior of the house. Okay, maybe I was overthinking it a bit because, in the end, it seems that the door and existing arched window above it blends in perfectly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://shop.360yardware.com/melrose-style-brass-entry-handleset-by-emtek-4212.htm

 

 

 

 

I am sharing my new modern Mediterranean door with the readers over at Dedicated House. Why don't you follow me too?

Repurposing A Chandelier

 

 

Sometimes things just come together and you find just what you are looking for but when that doesn't happen then it is time to look around and come up with your own creative solution.

I am sharing my repurposed chandelier this week at The Dedicated House -Make It Pretty Monday.

 

 

Click here to see the full reveal of this bathroom here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing The Light - A Dining Room Update

This dining room has morphed from its black and white beginning to a wildly unique and colorfully coral entertaining space. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Do yourself a favor and follow me over to Saturday Sparks, where they featured my post, Thank you. Then head to The Dedicated House and Pieced Pastimes some more great blog reading.

This fixture is from Hudson Valley Lighting and is the Danville model. You can find it here.

 

Modern Tropical Bedroom

Emerald green or kelly green, whatever name you want to give it, this is the color I am obsessed with recently. So what better place to bring it into our home than the master bedroom.

( real estate photo from the previous homeowner)

 

 

 

 

I will be sharing my modern tropical bedroom today with the readers of Everyday Edits.

and A Stroll Thru Life. I hope you will follow me there for some amazing ideas and inspiration.

 

Five Star Outdoor Grill Area

Please visit Dedicated House today, where I am sharing my outdoor kitchen post, for more inspiring ideas.

 

 

 

faucet

 
 

 

tile

induction burner

 

 

hardware

 

 

 

I am sharing my outdoor kitchen post with the readers at Merry Monday

 

 

An Oasis Room In Blue and Coral

AKA I Have A New Rug

 

 

 

You can read about my rug selection process here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sharing my retreat room today with The Dedicated House. I hope you will visit Kathryn's blog too and see and read some of her amazing posts, photos and inspiring ideas.

Terri Causey artwork

Lucy Designs turtle artwork

white accent chest

wall color Benjamin Moore Opal Essence

rug Wayfair

white round end table 
 

Finally, The Master Bath Reveal

Sharing this bathroom reveal with the readers @ The Dedicated House

 

 

ceiling fan

walls: Calacatta Silk end match Neolith slabs

 24x 24- floor tile

 

slide bar shower head

 Tub and Tub Filler

sconces 

 

Hardware: knobs and pulls

 

sinks

 countertops: Pompeii Quartz Concreto Honed

faucets

 

 

Thank you again, Bill and Monica @ Kitchens By Monic

 

 

 

Updating With Hurricane Windows

 

 

 

 

via GIPHY

 

 

 

 

A Major Update For A Built-in Buffet

 

 

shop the knobs here.

Shop the pulls here.

Buffet top is White Shadow Marble.

I am sharing our up-styled buffet at The Dedicated House

and The Creative Circle 

and Pretty Pinterest Party

 

 

New Counter/Barstools For A Coastal Kitchen

Thank you to The Creative Circle for featuring my colorful benches last week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

via Life In Yellow

Sorrento stool in red but available in many colors including Riviera. Find it here.

Please follow me over to  The Dedicated House

and Saturday Sparks Party

 

A Stroll Thru Life

 

And at The Creative Circle, Where I was featured last week. Thank you, C.C.

 

where I am sharing our new blue stools with an array of inspiring bloggers.

Upholstered Benches For Seating and Style

 

 

  
 

  
    
 

 

I am sharing my colorful benches with the readers of Coastal Charm  , The Creative Circle

Spring Home Tour

and, Saturday Sparks. Please stop by these two insightful blogs for more coastal inspiration.

Upholsterer: Donata's
fabric: here
similar mirror: here