As promised, here are the photos and ideas inspiring our new Florida house. We’ve been leaning into beachy, relaxed coastal style for a long time, so it feels like everything has been pointing us in this direction. From old paintings and aerial beach photos to familiar decor pieces we’ve owned for years, our move to the coast finally feels like the logical next chapter.
We’ll share a full set of before photos and a video walk-through soon, plus a follow-up post explaining the floor plan changes we’re planning. Today’s post is focused on the inspiration behind each area of the house and a few items we’ve already chosen. If you like coastal interiors, light wood tones, woven textures, and brass accents, read on.
The Exterior
We knew we wanted a white exterior for this house—bright, clean, and reminiscent of the white sand along the Panhandle. The silhouette of the house leans modern, and we love several existing features already: a new metal roof, exposed rafters, and horizontal white railings that nod to the coastal look we’re aiming for. The lot isn’t large, but the outdoor spaces are plentiful and usable year-round.
Outdoor areas will be a major part of our life here: a covered dining spot right off the front door for string lights and alfresco meals, a large second-floor deck that we envision as a shaded lounge with a hanging chair or swing, and a private patio off what will become our bedroom. The yard even has space for a modest pool and a small guest casita, which John has always wanted. We’re planning to include a hot tub and oversized floats for family fun.
Outdoor Spaces
The covered dining area will become a favorite for dinners outside, while the second-floor deck will act as a lounge and work-from-home overflow on sunny days. The private patio accessed from our bedroom will be a quiet retreat for reading or late-night chats. We’re also considering a compact pool and a small guest outbuilding to increase entertaining options and accommodate visitors.
All of these spaces will play off a cohesive exterior palette—white paint, light wood, and simple railings—so indoor and outdoor feel connected and calm.
The Interior
Inside, the house has warm pine floors and vertical wall planking in some spots that we plan to keep and highlight. We’ll sand and seal the wood floors with a clear, water-based finish to minimize orange tones and emphasize a more neutral, warm wood hue throughout.
The interior mood we’re after includes white walls and railings, warm wood floors, light wood furniture, woven textures, and brass accents. Lighting will be important, and we’re investing in a few standout brass fixtures and flush mounts that feel elevated but not fussy. Natural materials and plants will help keep the spaces feeling light and lived-in.
The Kitchen
The main floor will combine kitchen, dining, and a casual sitting area in one open space, so instead of an island plus dining table, we’re planning a single, generous table that serves as the primary eating spot. We like the flexibility and flow this provides—more social and less formal.
We’ll keep a window over the sink and likely choose non-white cabinets to add depth and contrast against the white walls and planked ceilings. A panel-ready dishwasher is something we’ve loved in past projects and may bring back here during a later phase. For now, we’ll refresh the existing cabinets and live in the space before making major changes.
Upstairs Loft / Living
The upstairs is one large, light-filled room with a high sloped ceiling and direct access to the deck. We call it the loft because of its airy feeling. It will house the main living area with a TV and large sofa, a sunny office corner, and a kids’ art station. Separating living and sleeping areas across floors helps keep evening noise away from bedrooms.
We’ll bring some existing furniture but plan to add a light, beachy media cabinet with plenty of storage to keep the central space tidy. Natural textures, plants, and soft textiles will make this room bright and cozy.
Our Bedroom
What was listed as a formal living room will become our primary bedroom. It has six glass doors leading to a future private patio and an existing fireplace that we’ll convert to gas. We want the bedroom to feel relaxed—light wood furniture, woven headboards, and brass lighting—and to include practical storage solutions since we’re downsizing.
We’ve ordered brass lever doorknobs and matching hinges for a cohesive modern look and will use five-panel solid wood doors to match the clean-lined aesthetic of the house.
Kids Bedrooms
The two kids’ rooms aren’t huge, but they’ll feel spacious compared to recent setups. We’ll maximize function with built-ins and smart storage and add playful murals or wall treatments so those rooms contrast the mostly white common areas. Both rooms originally had standard ceilings, but we were able to vault and plank them, which has already transformed the feel—photos coming soon.
We’re deciding between daybeds, bunks, and storage beds depending on each child’s needs, and we’ll likely mix and match so each room feels tailored and efficient.
The Bathrooms
There’s currently one shared bathroom, and we plan to add an en-suite for the bedroom by converting a covered porch. The existing shared bathroom had a leak that needed full repair, so we’ll arrive to a finished, functional space. Our look for bathrooms: white walls, light wood vanities, brass hardware, patterned durable floor tile, white subway tile in showers, and lots of plants for a fresh coastal feel.
We prioritized a light wood vanity with a thick white sink top and chose a playful porcelain floor tile for durability and style. Other finishes are practical and affordable, allowing us to splurge where it matters for lasting impact.
This is a snapshot of our inspiration and initial plans—next up will be a full before-photo post and a floor plan breakdown. We can’t wait to share progress and the finished spaces as they come together.
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