Decorating with blue

I am starting with blue, here in Color Week, because blue is the least intimidating color for most people. It's also timeless. When housewives in the 50's and 60's were painting their walls white to make their homes seem bigger, and accentuating in pale yellow because because it was safe, many of them still felt brave enough to paint a bedroom or powder room blue. And blue has been faithful through the ages, in all its reliable, soothing, safe iterations.

But blue can also be exciting, new, and daring.  Would you typically think of blue as a modern color?
Here is is boldly displayed, paired with silver and white. (All products are linked beneath images, directly to where you can find them at StylishBeachHome.com.)

Bold Blue

Contemporary Kitchen by Miami Interior Designers & Decorators

Criss Cross Counter Chair | Gran Timor Pendant | Fission Ceiling Lamp

This designer gave the boldness of this room a sensible side with the black and white decor.  Just a splash of red is enough.  Bold blue is often paired with black andwhite, or red or orange -- because it's opposite on the color wheel.

Modern Bedroom by Dc Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Jill Sorensen

Elio Chair | Black Dots Pillow | Bronze Ceiling Lamp | Black & White Geometric Pillow

Even a bold statement with blue, if given the right placement, doesn't have to feel like it is risky.  If you want to be daring, but not so much so, this shade of blue feels like the right balance.  No other bright colors were added, just soothing whites and the warm wood tones.

Calm Blue

Contemporary Kitchen

Union Square Bar Chair 
Magma Mini Pendant White Crackle | Sake Mini Pendant Lamp | Blue Sardine Kitchen Towel

Most people probably think of lighter shades of blue for the coastal look, but this designer didn't shy away from using this deeply saturated blue in not only wall color but accessories too. And yet, you can see the counter-balance of white here again.  Blue can be center stage.

Coastal Blue

Eclectic Bedroom by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators Kim Armstrong

 L to R: Carved Chain Mirror | Brushed Cotton Throw | Falling Stars Lamp

 Dory Indigo Pillow | Sun Table Lamp

But I will always be a sucker for those traditional coastal blues and whites, used in a transitional way here. From the wall of windows to the open concept, this entire room exudes tranquility. It all starts with the shade of blue.

Contemporary Living Room by Palm Beach Gardens Interior Designers & Decorators The Decorators Unlimited

Village Blue Flowers Pillow | Village Blue Ikat Pillow | Sculpted Natural Vine Floor Lamp

I included this photo because it's so similar to the type of decorating I'm into right now.  Neutral backgrounds create a blank canvas for intense color options.  Blue can be only in the accessories, and you'll still capture the calm, cheerfulness of this color.

Contemporary Kids by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Lisa Benbow - Garnish Designs

Bamboo Viscose Duvet Cover
Pillows Top: Starfish Clementine Pillow | Sand Dollar Pillow
Pillows Middle: Big Crab Indigo Pillow | Big Crab White Pillow
Pillows Bottom: Octopus Persimmon Pillow | Seahorse Indigo Pillow

Blue can be dramatic. Very dramatic. This room is over-the-top in luxury and sensationalism, but still grabs your attention in such a way that you actually believe it.

Dramatic Blue

Modern Bedroom by Port Moody Photographers Total 360 Photography

Quiet Water Art | Blast Ceiling Lamp | Savanna Pillow Cover | Lahiana Side Table

Lest you think that deep, bright, loud blues are the only ones suitable for a dramatic room, take a look at the use of three different shades of blue here, each one calm and secure on its own, but creating high drama when paired with the right combination of textures, styles, and colors. Tufted couch, 

Top Row L to R: Artifacts Bench | Sardine Clementine Print | Blue Skies Print | Mini Winere Lamp
Bottom: Brushed Organic Cotton Throw | Big Crab Turquoise Pillow | Teal Ikat Pillow on Natural | Nob Hill Beige Sofa | Lahiana Side Table 

Introducing .... Throw Pillows

(Otherwise entitled: When Life's a Beach, Sometimes You Just Don't Get Out of the Sand to Write a Blog Post)

** UPDATE: This post was having some flaky issues with the image maps I created, so I took them down. Apparently I'm not as good at those as I thought I was. You can now  get to the pillows by selecting the link beneath the pillows.

You know how you have some friends in life -- the really, really good ones -- that you know you can just be yourself around and they'll always accept you for who you are?  Sometimes, you can even be a little inconsiderate of them, in anticipation of their forgiveness and understanding because you're just that close?

Well, I guess we're really getting close here, you and I, because clearly I feel comfortable enough to stand you up when I promise to post a really exciting post introducing our new products.  Yeah, sorry about that. My excuse is that my best friend and her family are in town visiting, and she is one of those friends that I described above. But she also one of those friends with whom you could talk for hours incessantly and never run out of topics to cover.  (In fact, I find that those two things usually go hand-in-hand in friendship.) Unfortunately, one of the topics we didn't cover yesterday is decorative throw pillows.

But hey, it's never too late for a good discussion about throw pillows!  So allow me, without further ado and excuse-making, to introduce our latest babies: Throw pillows!

We've got everything you could ever want in these decorative accessory pillows.  (Just click on the links below the ones you like and you'll be taken to StylishBeachHome.com for more details and buying info.)

We've got coordinating Pillows ...

Seahorse Turquoise Pillow | Stripe Turquoise Pillow | Coral Turquoise Pillow

Black Dots Pillow | Black Lime Ikat Pillow | Chartreuse Lime Dots Pillow

Lime & Fuchsia Flowers Pillow | Fuchsia Dots Pillow | Lime & Fuchsia Ikat Pillow

Twins ...

Village Blue Ikat Pillow  |  Village Blue Flowers Pillow  |  Turquoise Geo Pillow  |  Turquoise Zig Zag Pillow

Cool tones ...

Perissa Pillow Cover | Aqua & Navy Floral Geo Lumbar | Blue French Script Pillow | Perissa Pillow Cover

Warm tones ...

White Lobster on Red Pillow  |  Lime Citrine Pillow  |  Orange Damask Pillow  |  Grey & Yellow Coral Pillow

Little bit of everything pillows ...

Panama Wave Pillow  |  Santa Maria Pillow  |  Savanna Pillow Cover  |  Savanna Pillow Cover

And there are more! Please visit StylishBeachHome.com for more! And you're welcome! :-)

~Natalee

Decorating With Color

A friend called me last week in a panic.  The tragedy?  She had to pick a paint color for a new mudroom.

Can you relate? It is so much pressure, right? How do you come to a decision on color in the first place, let alone bear the pressure and responsibility of knowing that it might look different once it goes on the wall? It's enough to send anyone into a tailspin of Analysis Paralysis.

In my first "real house" (that little starter house didn't count) I was so tired of the neutral walls that I went a little crazy -- there was bright color everywhere. I had a room that was this red.

It was a fun experiment. I call it my Colorful Period.

Since then I have taken a different approach to color. In my current house, my entire first level has neutral paint throughout, and I fill in color in pillows, window treatments, and accessories. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of decorating this way is that changing your mind can happen often, for less money, and with much less effort than painting.

In fact, there is really do much more choice in decorating this way. For example, without accessories, how would you even begin to incorporate these colors in your decorating?

Blue Fish and Coral Pillow

Santa Maria Square Pillow

Panama Wave Pillow

And yet, we don't all want neutral walls. We don't all want color that WHAM! smacks you in the face. Our different personalities can and should be displayed through our decorating. Different folks. Different strokes. And so ..

I declare this Color Week. 5 colors, 4 ways. We'll explore the bold side, the coastal side, the calm side, and the dramatic side of each color, in all their glory.  I think you'll never look at these colors the same way again. At least, that's the plan!                                                                         ~Natalee

Updating Your Beach Patio

What's the fastest way to update your patio furniture?  Why, outdoor pillows, of course!

Just like our decorative pillows, we have something for everyone. Select the link below each pillow for details and purchasing information.

Coordinating pillows.

Coral Shell Pillow  |  Blue & Orange Stripe Pillow  |   Blue & Orange Coral Pillow

Lime Coral Print Pillow  |  Mandarin Coral Print Pillow  |  Blue & White Coral Print Pillow

Teal Geometric Pillow  |  Teal Greek Key Pillow

Orange & Grey Flower Pillow  |  Orange & Grey Suzani Pillow

Teal Blue Chevron Pillow  |  Teal Blue Damask Pillow

Mix 'em and match 'em!

Fun Ocean Fish Pillow  |  Blue & White Coral Print Pillow

Orange & Lime Floral Pillow  |  Mandarin Coral Print Pillow



Ocean Fish Coral Pillow  |  Sky Blue Coral Print Pillow



Double up!

Large Red Floral Pillows

Black & White Geometric Pillow

Summer might be almost over, but the weather is still beautiful in most parts of the country.

And pretty soon it will be fire pit season.  Don't pass up the chance to have the best seating around.

Stop by StylishBeachHome.com for even more choices!

Beach Home Exteriors

Today, I'm going to have to cheat and just give you an Eyeball Massage.  I hate to keep using this excuse, but we have family in town again.  I just couldn't pull together the post I was intending. So instead, I invite you to feast your eyes on these beach home exteriors.

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Tomorrow, I'm going to introduce some new products!  We are so excited about them.  Come back tomorrow and see what I've got to show you.    ~Natalee

Vacation Rentals by Owner - Don't do this!

I told you I would do a post on what not to do if you are on the deed side of a vacation rental by owner, because its important for beach home owners to get feedback from those who rent. All to often, renters will simply find a better place to stay next time around instead of complaining, and beach home owners are left scratching their heads as to why they don't get repeat customers and their calendar is turning whiter and whiter as the "available" slots seem to multiply.

 Truth is, all the little touches in the world can not make up for these  egregious mistakes. Experience has taught me that simply owning a beach home does not necessarily make one good at it. Here is a list of 7 things you want to avoid doing after you check the listings of beach homes for sale.


1. Don't fail to make repairs/updates on an older home. Be assured that beach vacationers have many, many choices and most folks want to stay on a place that is nicer than the home they left, with at least the same amenities. Make sure the showers are running properly, the sliding doors open easily, and the televisions are flat. Don't make your guests feel that they've downgraded, or every single day will feel like a punishment because they do not have the things they are accustomed to.




2. Don't assume your management company (if you have one) is going to continuously do a good job unless you check up on them. If you cannot make it to the property yourself occasionally, have a neighbor check in for you, or solicit feedback from your most recent guests. Some management companies have a fantastic reputation and work hard to keep it, but some companies fall victim to human nature of laziness when it comes to repairs and cleaning, and unless you speak to the guests or have some other way of checking, you will only know something is wrong when its too late.

3. Don't falsely advertise your home. I kid you not when I tell you that we once stayed in this one floor home with broken sliding doors out to the pool (we had a toddler) and old fashioned, poorly working televisions described in the listing as a mansion. The entire house was a disappointment for many reasons, the first of which was because I was expecting so much in the first place. The description had the opposite effect the owner intended. If only they had told us we were getting a modest home on the gulf, I could have overlooked so many flaws and focused instead in the great location.

The "Mansion"

4. Don't fail to update the decor. Be prepared to spend a little money on some new sofas, lighting bedding, and rugs.  Like Don't #1, you need to remember that your guests are looking to stay in a place that feels new, upgraded, posh, and even luxurious. If your guests sleep in a bed that squeaks with a comforter that looks like it came from Goodwill, you can guarantee they will be staying elsewhere next year. It's worth the investment. This room could really look fabulous with a few stylish pieces to update the décor.

Why settle for this?

When it could be this?

5. Don't forget that you are in the customer service department.  If you or your management company are slow to respond to requests or complaints, or have otherwise poor customer service, you might not only lose your current client, but you also turn away all the potential clients that they could send your way. People talk; and I know I would gladly recommend a beach home to my many friends looking for something new if I, myself, enjoyed the stay.

6. Don't neglect the outdoors. Upgrade your patio furniture to standards commensurate with your interior furnishings. Clean up your landscaping. Add to your usable square footage by improving your "outdoor rooms" both visually and functionally. This plain, ordinary patio could feel like an extra amenity with a rug and some outdoor bar furniture. Check out our Pinterest Board called Outdoor Rooms for some inspiration.

7. Don't forget you are in the sales/marketing department. Consider how you can set yourself above everyone else; package your beach home rental in beautiful packaging, and tie it with a bow. You are selling an experience. Show that in your descriptions, your photos, your small touches. Don't expect your guests to know the gem you have created if you can't communicate it effectively.  I have a feeling, based on the updated furniture and décor, that this condo it actually quite stylish, but the photos don't do it justice at all!  It looks dark and small and not the chic space this owner has created and wants his/her potential clients to salivate over.

This tip is last because once you follow all my advice above, you'll want to convey it to your potential clients and see the bookings start rolling in.  Let StylishBeachHome.com help you!