How To Live Like You’re on Vacation All Year

When I started working with my client about a year ago, it was obvious to me that she was drawn to all things shabby, chippy, and beachy.  She called me in to help pulling those things together and making them work in her traditional suburban home.  

Front Porch – Photo by Melanie G. Photography

 

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to show you the transformation of this fun family home that feels more like a coastal getaway than a formal suburban house in a Brentwood, Tennessee neighborhood.  We might as well start at the entry, which sets the scene for this sea-inspired space.  This is the way the entry used to look.  Unfortunately, this is the only before photo I have and it’s pretty blurry.

Entry Before

 

The floors were already hardwood, but the stairs were carpeted and dingy with yellowing paint on the trim going up the stairs.  The first thing we did was remove the carpet and refinish the wood beneath.  I found this bench in my client’s recreation room and decided to remove the cushion and paint it to use beside the stairs.

Entry Bench Before

 

I had an idea for her stairs, but it would take a big leap of faith on her part to let me try it.  I was inspired by this photo from Martha Stewart:

Martha Stewart

 

My client was totally up for it, so I devised a color scheme for the stair spindles that would tie in the palette for the entire home.  She was completely devoted to whites and watery blue-greens, so that’s what we went with.  

Stairwell Spindles Painted in Gradations of Watery Blue-Greens + White

 

I took a previously yellow table of the homeowner’s and painted it one of our blues and roughed up the edges with sandpaper to reveal a hint of the yellow beneath.

 

We also gathered all the black frames in the house and filled them with family photos to use in the upstairs hallway in a grouping.  I always lay them out on the floor to create my grouping before I start hammering nails.

Family Photos to be Hung

 

So let’s look again at the “before” state of the entry:

Entry Before

 

Are you ready?  Here come the “afters”:

painted spindles

 

Photo by Melanie G. Photography 

 

 sky blue

  Photo by Melanie G. Photography

 

 

coastal style

 Photo by Melanie G. Photography

 

 

decorologist

The Decorologist

 

 

star pendant

 Photo by Melanie G. Photography

 

 

painted spindles

The Decorologist 

 

 

 Photo by Melanie G. Photography

 

 

 The Decorologist

 

How would you like to feel like you’re on vacation at the beach all year long in your own home?  Stay tuned for more photos of the rest of this magical family home!

* Since posting this, I have also posted befores and afters of the beach-inspired living room here.

28 Comments

  1. Dana Tucker

    Love it! You hit it outta the park 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jens Dream Decor

    This is really beautiful, I especially love the spindles and the pretty bench!

    Reply
  3. Andrea Brooks

    Beautiful transformation Kristie!! Being brave paid off big for you and your client!!

    Reply
  4. Michelle L.

    Love it! Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
  5. Delyn Metcalfe

    I really like how the stairs look after you removed the carpet. I have been wantng to do that in my home, but wonder if there is any problems with people slipping on the wood steps as they descend?

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Delyn,
      Lots and lots of homes have wood stairs. I suppose there’s always the possibility of tripping, but slipping would only be an issue if you were wearing socks. Just make sure you hold onto your handrail 🙂

      Reply
  6. Maria Killam

    This should be in Better Homes & Gardens ASAP Kristie, it’s amazing! Maria

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Wow, thanks so much Maria – wait until you see the rest of the house!

      Reply
  7. Linda

    so fun! I love the painted spindles and think they add such a fun vibe. Great job Kristie as always!

    Reply
  8. Lee

    gorgeous! and so much fun!!

    Reply
  9. Paula Van Hoogen

    Wow Kristie, not only did you create a beachy, casual entrance, but you made the house feel about 30 years younger! I love that you used what they had so well! You did hit it outta the park!

    Reply
  10. Sherri

    Once again, you hit a home run! I’m amazed at your talent and how you are able to deal with so many different type issues.

    Reply
  11. liz

    Absolutely amazing – the color scheme is delightful – it makes me happy just looking at it! The owners must love opening up the front door, I bet the entry produces lots of smiles. It’s just wonderful!!! Loving all of the blues – will you be doing a post with the paint colors?

    Reply
  12. kelly

    Another great job from the Decorologist! The pictures are amazing but I am sure they look even better in real life. I am glad your client trusted you to make her home beautiful! Great stuff Kristie!

    Reply
  13. cathy

    Have to chime in with my congrats as well – beautifully executed. The blue ceiling tying in with the spindles is superb.

    Reply
  14. Kelley

    Wow, this is great. You are so versatile!

    Reply
  15. LaJuana Gill

    Kristie,

    I just love how you are taking their home and making it such a reflection of their personality! Well done!!!

    Reply
  16. Stephanie@cre8tive

    The spindle idea is genius. So easy to do and so easy to change! Love how this whole transformation is light and airy like a costal home and yet not themed. Love, love it.

    Reply
  17. Diedra

    Looks fabulous ! Would you please share the paint colors used? Thanks Diedra

    Reply
  18. Diedra

    Looks fabulous!
    Would you please share the paint colors? Thanks, Diedra

    Reply
  19. Sara

    Just gorgeous! I love the watery blue color palette, and did something similar in the living space in my first home. Feeling like you’re at the beach all year round is not a bad thing!!

    Reply
  20. Jackie

    Hi,
    I just love your room makeover and I jumped over to your page from House of Turquoise. I was hoping you could give me some paint names. My 9 y.o. wants a bedroom makeover and she wants turquoise on her walls but there are so many choices, I was hoping you could give me a starting point..
    Thank you for this blog and for sharing your wisdom with us.
    Jackie

    Reply

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