A no-fuss beach house that's relaxing and beautiful

The beach is my favorite place, and I haven't been to one in over two years. If I had any beach house I'd be there now, but this one would be especially nice. It's not your typical blue and white, seashell adorned coastal dwelling, but a chic and modern take that is still laid back.

White walls with the gorgeous glossy floors is so refreshing and pretty.  Gloss floors are easy to clean, too!

The owner chose pink and turquoise over the traditional blue and white.  I think turquoise and pink are a refreshing change.

I imagine the owner has reasons, but I would hang some artwork or a pretty chandelier in the bedroom, and use the same hardwood floors as seen in the dining room.

What do you think?

Read and see more at Adore Home

Which would you choose? And a guest post!

Happy Monday to you! Notice a new banner? Told you this would be my new obsession, so don't be surprised to see it change from time to time. These are all my own house so it has special meaning:)


I am sooo honored to be featured on one of my absolute most favorite blogs in all of blogland, I am being featured today at Splendid Sass. Lovely Teresa chose to feature me, my home and shop and I am so touched and thrilled. And let me tell you, its like a book...she did an unbelievable job posting pictures of the house that even I forgot about and was so happy to see! I mean we are talking about Teresa, who posts THE most beautiful images to be found in the entire blogosphere....always something totally jaw droppingly gorgeous to see over there! I am naturally tickled pink to "make the cut" and be featured! So do head over...promise you will be glad you did. Click here to visit!

 A new week, and summer is here....woo hoo! I feel like its going to go by so fast already, I am ready to christen the new season with a much anticipated lobster dinner, a beach day and a nice cool tropical mixed drink! Whenever summer rolls around, I cannot help but think about how much I want a beachhouse. It happens every year....sure enough.
But then again when I visit NYC, it makes me long for our old apt. and yet again when I go to a lake, naturally I am craving a charming laid back lake house. And lets not forget about my dreams of becoming a modern day farmgal complete with my own charming farmhouse, a big thriving garden and only the sound of crickets. So all this desire brings me to my post today. Lets just imagine you and your significant other, your family or just you! has decided to buy a second home....a vacation reprise. Where oh where would you go? The beach, a lake, a bustling city pied a terre, so many possibilities but you can only choose one! So think hard, and let me hear which would be your choice!! I cannot wait to hear!


                                               CHOICE 1 This charming and cozy beach house

                            CHOICE 2 This picturesque tranquil lake house right on the water

                  CHOICE 3 This fabulous and chic  apartment high in the sky in your favorite city

           CHOICE 4 This idyllic farmhouse on a large plot of land with not a neighbor in site

CHOICE 5. Or who needs the maintenance? Give me a lifetime of airline tickets and my passport to be free to discover new places on a whim........

I am so torn between each of them.....truly there is something to love and lust after with each lifestyle including the luxury and freedom of traveling whenever and to wherever you want but then again, those airport lines, the chaos, removing your shoes, no water bottles, on second thought an actual physical vacation house that's all mine sounds really good afterall. But which to choose? I cannot wait to hear what you have to say! Wishing you a fabulous day.

How about holiday in a charming English country estate

Well, maybe not this year, but getting a glimpse inside these gorgeously decorated homes for rent is still a treat.

The "Treverra House" in Cornwall, is one of my favorite for rent by Perfect Stays.

I like the sparse, neutral way the house is decorated.  I think it makes it easier to relax and unwind.

What do you think of the harlequin armoire?

happiness is a warm bath

I think the image above is from a different property they manage - isn't it charming?

The view is so gorgeous and the room so light-filled.  If I lived here, I would probably end up bringing my laptop and papers to the table and work from there...

You can see pictures of all of their properties on the Perfect Stays site.

via Perfect Stays

Two awesome shows back-to-back tonight! Design Star and awesome HGTV new-comers the Novogratz!

So - I have a confession to make - I don't really watch much HGTV, but that's only because I don't really watch much TV.   I'm not a TV person, and it is really hard for me to commit to a tv-watching schedule. Luckily, we just got DVR, and two new shows have caught my fancy. One is this season of "Design Star" (I hadn't heard of the show until this season), and the first two episodes I loved, and the other is "Home by Novogratz." I know of the Novogratz via Six by Design and their awesome book, "Downtown Chic" - which I reviewed here.

So when I heard they had a new show airing on HGTV I figured I'd give it a shot, and I really like it so far. The duo's solutions are great for people who love to try DIY projects, shop at flea markets, and find it really important that their home reflects them, not the most recent issue of the top-of-the-line home and interiors glossy.

I have for you a sneak peak at what you'll catch on tonight's "Home by Novogratz," where the couple livens up a rather dull family beach condo into a colorful and whimsical get-away. What's really exciting about tonight is the Novogratz are also guest starring on "Design Star" and then their new episode airs directly after that! So be sure to have the tube on HGTV at 9 for "Design Star", and/or 10 for "Home by Novogratz"

These images below are from their first episode, where the Novogratz team created this awesome surfer-girl home for two sisters.

You can read more about the show on HGTV.

Beach house chic

Who wouldn't love a cozy beach house right by the sea or a charming lake house with views to rival the setting from "On Golden Pond". I know I fantasize about one day buying a small place by the ocean and know exactly how I want it to be decorated. It would first have to be welcoming, inviting and calming...after all its a getaway and the whole idea is about entering a new space, a true oasis away from the rat race. It would have a soft and light palette, with pops of color in some rooms but overall a soothing and light neutral feeling is what I envision. It would have to have a killer kitchen, not a huge one but one big enough for clambakes and preparing dozens of bbqs and hosting smores parties,etc.....you get the picture. And then the views...ah, the views, very important. It just has to have that "welcome home" feel that I think is the hallmark of a successful interior/home. So what about you? If you had or if you have a beach/lake house.....what makes it so wonderful? What would you do to it? Here are some inspirational beach/lake house interiors...that made me wish for one sooner than later. Do you have a favorite?

This is where I would host my elegant beach house dinner parties, R.Stern

Gorgeous coastal bathroom...neutrals always work, M Elle

This would fast become my reading nook!

Does a  beach house entrance get better than this? I don't think so.....

This is the perfect vibe for a beach house master bedroom.....stunning! Taylor Hannah

My  this bedroom would be my oasis.....love the window bench! Robert Stern

This could easily become a favorite spot to relax, Kendall Wilkinson

Afternoon cocktails would be served oceanside....love this spot! Robert Stern 

Perfect seaside bathroom....love those mirrors...M Elle

The soft blues against the whites are always a winning combination by the shore, Coastal Living

Love this beachside kitchen by Victoria Hagan

Beautiful Seaside, Fla home, Robert Stern....superb architecture

Pretty white slipcovered furniture always looks great in a coastal home, Coastal Living

Kendall Wilkinson went with stronger colors for this elegant high in the sky lakefront home

This would be the ultimate living room for my beach house, Tracery Interiors

Another view...the colors are so soothing

Elegant beach house dining room as interpreted by Victoria Hagan, love it!

Love the kitchen, casual without sacrificing elegance

Beautiful oversized white hutch to house all my extra dishes for my clambakes!

This is fun....love big open room to take full advantage of the views, Elle Decor

The soft neutral colors here are just perfect for a beachside home, Tracery Interiors

The bathroom does not disappoint either....so classic, Tracery

Even in smaller homes, done right..they are just as inviting. Coastal Living

Sweet coastal guest room, waiting for your visit, Victoria Hagan

Gorgeous master bedroom in soft muted colors with breathtaking view, Victoria Hagan

Perfect guest room.....awaiting your visit! Tracery Interiors

Soft colors are perfect for a coastal bedroom, 

Love the soft linens here, so bright and airy..you can almost feel the ocean breeze

Love weathered shingles and white trim for a coastal home

The nautical look always works

Cozy reading nooks are a must!

Love blue and white with the wicker and warm tones of wood.....

Neutrals work well because they allow the focus to remain on the views, Arch Digest

This would be my magazine reading, wine sipping nook

More neutrals...love the little starfish pillows, Arch Digest

Yep the living room from Somethings Gotta give, the quintessential beach house living room!

I like blues for a coastal home, so soothing

Love this room, neutral, calm and elegant

Such a great color/vibe for a seaside bathroom....this is KathySue's bathroom from Good life of design

Love banquette seating for a coastal home..to house all those informal get togethers but looks so chic and put together at the same time....

What is it about bunk bedding like this that is so inviting? Love it and its so practical for a coastal/vacation house since you know you will always have guests! Coastal Living

A perfect place to infuse some fun coral color.... a coastal bedroom! Coastal Living

So are you ready? Does this excite you as much as it does me? Would love to know and of course if you have a favorite! Hope you have an enchanting day!