In the dead of a Minnesota winter many of us long for warm weather and miles of white, sandy beaches. I know I do! Even with the excitement of the changing of the seasons I still love a coastal fix when February rolls around. Day dreaming about ocean breezes and tropical drinks is always where my mind goes at that time of year.

I was recently asked by the Florida real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman Real Estate, how I would tackle a “florida” room when the beach isn’t in sight? SO I began to ponder how I would decorate my Florida home (which is on my real estate bucket list for the near future) without making it too cliche “beachy” but keeping with the tropical locale appropriateness. Bringing the summer and the ocean vibe back to Minnesota when we see seas of snow rather than blue waters isn’t as hard as you may think!

Here goes, my main design marks that everyone should hit when design a “florida” room!

• Attention to the finishings. Use coastal pieces in finishes that are currently in style. Right now we are seeing a lot of gold accent pieces so no cheapy, painted flea market sand dollars. Rather, choose pieces in “of the moment” gold and pewter.

• Avoid over use of blues and greens. Bring in colors other than turquoise, teal, & sea green. While we love the color of the ocean, thats the way everyones mind goes when thinking of coastal decor. Accent pieces and artwork in this color are cool but don’t make this your main color choice (unless you are doing a small bathroom or bonus room that is meant to be kitchsy!)

• Color use. What color to use other than turquoise? Well, rose quartz was one of the Pantone colors of the year. Adding pops of this color will bring that extra element of style, even in a “florida” room, because it is reminiscent of the warm pink tones seen in a sunset over the ocean.

• Natural coral. I have a love affair white coral. It has a multi-functional use in home decor, you can include it in any room in your home. Using large pieces take the place of a vase on a dining room table, books on a shelf….it is a neutral piece to bring the coast to your home.
• Bead board and Shiplap. Bead board is timeless and shiplap has become HUGELY popular. The use of either of those 2 finishes will bring the warm weather vibe to any home! But styled slightly different, these finishes can look “country” so make sure to be particular about what decor pieces you bring into the space.

• Add patterns in unexpected places. Pattern is synonymous with coastal living, adding pattern in unexpected places is a fun way to bring the beach home. A coffee table, foot stools, rugs, accent walls, pillow covers are great ways to incorporate beach patterns to your home.

• Less is more. Make clean-up easy so the laid back lifestyle can truly be lived as if you were at your cottage on the beach. Slip-covers, minimal decor pieces on tables, wood floors are all ways to keep your clean up easy as pie!

Go forth and create your very own “florida” room to retreat to when you are feeling blue in the dead of a midwest winter! (And check out the “before” and “after” of the bedroom below). This room was created from the design plan above in our most recent reno property, went on the market 2 weeks ago and now contingent! Whoo HOO!