Behind The Design: East Coast to East Coast
As you work your way up and down the east coast, you'll notice an appreciation for the classics and a nod to the nautical. Here on Amelia Island our coastal style is a bit more casual than it is formal, but that doesn't mean we can't find a place in our designs for the traditional all-American details. A recent design project led our designer, McKenzie to seek out inspiration from New England cottages and summer homes in the Hamptons.
Updating an Amelia Island island beach house to incorporate the owners traditional rugs in gorgeous reds and blues, timeless wood antiques and nautical trinkets proved to be a lot of fun! The homeowners worked their way down the East Coast in retirement, landing on NE Florida to call their forever home. Instead of starting fresh, we pulled their treasures out of storage and added a few Cape House touches to finish the look!
"It's always am exciting challenge when we start with existing pieces that the homeowner want to incorporate into the design. In fact, I prefer it that way!" McKenzie
DETAILS WORTH NOTING:
- I opted for a few new pieces of art that felt far from new! Vintage inspired art in the right frame can work wonders in a classic coastal design. Once I found these pieces, they seemed to help connect all of the dots! Stacking smaller art with a similar theme (a boat over a nautical flag key in this case!) helps the home feel more collected and less staged.
- Comfy counter / bar stools are a MUST in my book! Especially if you're one for entertaining. I selected a dark wood finish and paired it with a true East Coast classic for the fabric, a blue and white ticking stripe!
- A deep blue contrast welt on the arm chairs is a fun way to update a timeless silhouette!
- The stunning lamp (Ralph Lauren's Montauk Search Light Floor Lamp!) is my favorite piece in the space. It's a bit of a splurge but truly a piece of art! It felt so right for this oceanfront space and serves as the perfect conversation piece!