As promised, I’m sharing a collection of photos that are inspiring us most as we design our new Florida house. An alternate title could have been “Beachy Vibes Forever” because it honestly feels like we’ve been preparing for this moment for years. So many readers pointed out how our past decor hinted at this move — from anniversary paintings to aerial beach photos and a lifetime of seaside-themed pieces tucked into boxes as we pack. It’s fun to see how a beachy aesthetic has threaded through our homes for over a decade.
Some readers even reminded us that our very first house had light blue and sand-colored walls, woven rugs, bamboo blinds, and capiz chandeliers — little hints that we were always drawn to coastal style, even when we were landlocked. A few long-loved items, like a ceramic clamshell bowl that’s traveled with us, felt delightfully prophetic as we made this move. Whether you call it beach magnetism or destiny, it’s been a consistent thread throughout our homeowner journey.
We’ll share before photos and a video walk-through soon, plus a follow-up post about how we tweak the floor plan for our family. Today’s post dives into the inspiration behind the house and how we plan to use and style each space. I’ll also mention a few items we’ve already purchased. Let’s get into it.
The Exterior
We knew we wanted another white house — the white brick renovation we did years ago cemented our love for a crisp, white exterior reminiscent of the Panhandle’s white sand. While past homes have featured red brick, bright doors, or even a fully pink exterior, this Florida house will be white and more modern in silhouette. The existing metal roof and exposed rafters are lovely features we plan to highlight, and horizontal white railings will be part of the exterior look as well.
Although the house is much smaller than our current home, it offers a surprising amount of outdoor space. The lot isn’t large, but it includes distinct outdoor “rooms” we can use most of the year, and that feels like a huge win.
Outdoor Spaces
Right outside the front door is a covered dining area that’s perfect for string lights and alfresco meals. There’s also a generous second-floor deck we imagine as a lounge — maybe with a hanging chair or a porch swing — shaded and overlooking magnolias and moss-draped live oaks. The view is gorgeous and will be a favorite spot for quiet mornings and relaxed evenings.
The former formal living room will become our bedroom and opens directly to a private patio — a small, lush spot for relaxing after the kids are asleep or for sipping coffee at sunrise. We loved having a compact, cozy outdoor nook when we stayed in our pink beach house, and we hope this space will bring the same calm, private vibe.
There’s also room on one side of the lot for a modest pool and a small guest casita. We’re picturing a pool that’s big enough for oversized floats and a hot tub for chilly nights. The casita will be a simple outbuilding with a room or two and a bathroom for guests — a humble, sweet addition that gives visiting family a comfortable place to stay.
We’re excited about the pool plans — the kids have already been debating oversized flamingo and pineapple floats — and a hot tub is a must for this hot-weather family. If we get those in place, the yard might become our favorite room.
Now onto the inside — I’m admittedly very enthusiastic, so forgive the all-caps energy. This house has so much potential, and we can’t wait to reveal more.
The Interior
Inside, there are original details like painted wood paneling and vertical planking up the stairs. The pine floors are being patched and will be sanded and sealed with a clear, water-based finish to mute orange tones and create a cohesive warm wood look throughout. That warm-wood-plus-white aesthetic is the starting point for the interior palette.
We love spaces with white walls, warm wood floors, light wood furniture, gold accents, and plenty of plants. That combination feels bright, layered, and relaxed — exactly the mood we want to cultivate. Lighting and finishes will lean toward brass and woven textures; we’re embracing brass fixtures and hardware and lots of natural fiber details for a timeless beachy feel.
We’ll be selective about new lighting because the house doesn’t require dozens of updates. A couple of elegant flush mounts will go a long way, and we’ll prioritize fixtures that read a little dressier without feeling fussy.
The Kitchen
The main level features a large, flexible space that will function as kitchen, dining, and a casual sitting area — one room that does it all, rather than a formal dining room we rarely use. Instead of an island plus a separate table, we’re planning a central dining table as the primary eating spot so the flow feels casual and communal.
We’ll likely keep the existing cabinets initially and paint them as a Phase 1 update, saving a full renovation for later when we’ve lived in the layout and know exactly what we want. This time we’re leaning toward non-white cabinets — a muted, tonal shade that complements white planked walls and brass accents. We also plan to panel the dishwasher for a seamless look, as we did in a previous project.
Upstairs Loft / Living
Upstairs is one large, light-filled loft with a high, sloped ceiling. It will serve as the primary living room with a TV and a big sofa, plus a sunny workspace corner and a kid art zone. Having the main living area upstairs keeps bedrooms downstairs quieter at night and creates a bright, airy hub for daily life. There’s also a large deck right off this space, which will be an extension of the indoor living area on pleasant days.
We’ll repurpose much of our existing furniture and add a few new pieces like a low, light-toned media cabinet with lots of storage to keep the space feeling organized and beachy.
The kids’ art area will come with us and find a home in the loft, so their supplies and projects will stay accessible without being front-and-center when you walk in the door. That tucked-away placement makes the entry feel calmer while keeping creative chaos contained.
Our Bedroom
What’s now our bedroom was listed as a living room, but it was obvious to us that it would make a dreamy master. It has six glass doors that open to a future private patio and an existing fireplace we’ll convert to gas. We picture cozy Sundays with the fire going and the whole family snuggled up. We’re aiming for a relaxed, airy feel with light wood furniture, woven textures, and brass accents — comfortable, not fussy, and decidedly beachy.
We’ll choose a bed that feels light and offers storage underneath to make the most of downsizing. Built-in drawers or shelves paired with a woven or slatted headboard are top contenders because they feel practical and perfectly on-theme for the house.
We’ve already committed to brass door levers and matching hinges for a cohesive, elevated look throughout the house. Solid wood five-panel doors will keep the aesthetic clean and modern while feeling warm and homey.
Kids Bedrooms
The kids’ rooms are modest in size but full of potential. After sharing a tiny bunk room all summer, they’ll relish the extra space. We plan to use built-ins to maximize storage and keep the floors clear for play. A mural or playful wall treatment will add color and personality against the home’s mostly white common areas.
Surprise: both kids’ rooms had standard flat ceilings originally, but the roof sloped above them, and we were able to vault and plank the ceilings. The transformation is already dramatic and we’ll add white beams for extra character. Bed choices are still up in the air — a bunk, a daybed, or a storage bed are all possibilities depending on how each room feels in person.
We might mix a daybed in one room and a bunk in the other, depending on function and flow. The kids are excited by the possibilities — and our son was particularly thrilled by the idea of drawers under his bed, which will make him an easy client.
The Bathrooms
Currently the house has one shared bathroom, but we’ll be adding an en-suite to the master by converting a covered porch. We want to tackle bathrooms early in the renovation process to avoid the “bathroom curse” we experienced in our previous home. The shared bathroom has already been rebuilt due to a leak, so we’ll arrive to a finished, functional space to use right away.
The look will follow the rest of the house: white walls, light wood, brass details, and playful tile. We chose a durable, patterned porcelain floor tile that reads fun without the maintenance concerns of marble, and a light wood vanity with a thick white sink top to pair with white subway tile for the shower walls. We splurged a bit on the vanity because it felt worth investing in a piece we’ll use every day.
That gives you a taste of the vibe we’re after and how we plan to use each space. Many readers were surprised this house has two stories when we first posted a construction photo, but the layout feels just right for our family. Expect a before-photo post and a video walk-through soon, followed by a floor plan breakdown. We can’t wait to share the next steps.
P.S. If you enjoy posts like this, we’ve done similar inspiration roundups in the past — it’s so fun to look back once a house is finished and see what stayed the same and what evolved along the way.