Staging To Live… Decorating A Colorful Beach Condo Part 1

Hi All,
Well, March has finally arrived! I am sure many of you are ready to say Goodbye to winter and are beginning to dream about green grass, birds singing and flowers blooming. Even though we have had a very mild winter here in Eastern North Carolina (much to my daughter’s dismay as she was praying to see some snow) I am getting antsy for Spring to officially arrive. I am tired of looking at the drab brown grass and my gardens desperately need attention. I was too busy (or lazy) to cutback the dead growth in the fall and they look awful. I went to Lowe’s Home Improvement yesterday to pick up some supplies for a few projects I have in the works and I took a stroll through the garden department. I was so excited to see their first flower shipment of the Spring season had arrived. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty again!

Today I thought I would share some photos of a Staging job I completed back in November. I was hired by a lovely couple to help them finally settle into their vacation condo. They bought the property a few years ago and had done quite a bit of shopping for the place but were not sure how to pull it all together. Things were laying about waiting to find their place in the home. After an initial meeting and a tour of the adorable 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo, they handed me the key and gave me the green light to work my magic. Since they do not live in the area full time I had Free Reign to come and go as I pleased and to decorate their home as I saw fit. OH COULD SOMEONE PINCH ME PLEASE???

I was so excited to begin working. I took TONS of before and after pics, too many to share in just one post so I have decided to just show you a few rooms at a time.
Let’s take a tour shall we?

As you can see the home owners got off to a good start. They love hot, tropical bright colors and had the place painted from top to bottom. Here is a photo of the living room in its before state. Bright yellow walls set the tone for this multicolored, vibrant living room.

Beach Cottage Livingroom

I really did not have to do too much in this room. I left the furniture arrangement as it was because it had good flow and functioned well.  I did make a few adjustments by removing a few pieces and rearranging the accessories. The large painting was a hung a little low so I fixed that too. Here’s the after…

Beachy Living room

This is a shot of the other side of the living room. As you can see it is open to the kitchen area. Cute huh?

Beach Cottage Living room

I removed the small side table to the right of the TV and hauled it upstairs where it now acts as a nightstand. (More on that later). The homeowners bought a new TV and had it hung on the wall. I moved  the Margarita painting to the kitchen and replaced it with a huge hand painted metal fish. It fits the space perfectly.

Beach Cottage

The door in the corner is the entry way into the home.

Beach Living Room

This little vignette is a pefect spot to relax with a good book or for some TV watching. I love the big Sailboat print!

Beach Cottage Living RoomAnother metal fish that seemed to be swimming up the staircase looked a little lonely.

Beach Cottage

So I hung a few more to give the staircase balance and personality.

Beach Cottage

The adjoining kitchen was also in pretty good shape to start with.

Beach Cottage Kitchen

It just needed some editing. Here is the after….

Beach Cottage Kitchen

Colorful Beach KitchenBeach Cotatge Kitchen

Just off the kitchen is a small powder room. It had been painted a bright green but needed some perking up.

Beachy Bathroom

Some artwork on the walls and a bright towel dressed up with a starfish and a raffia bow add warmth to this bathroom.

Beachy Bathroom

A few cute accessories finishes this room. Don’t you just love the adorable bikini towel hook???

Beachy Bathroom

Well, that’s all for today folks! What do you think? I hope this little tour brought thoughts of warm sunshine to your day. Today I am happy to say it is warm enough open my windows and I am loving the fresh air.

Stay tuned for next week’s tour of the upstairs!

Thanks so much for visiting my little island in the blogosphere!

~Lisa

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6 Responses

  1. Nan @ Playful Decor

    Hi Lisa, I just found you from MM (I’m #81) – I love this cottage! It absolutely makes me want to hop in the car and drive south! Enjoy your week! Nan

  2. Terry

    I’m having to put on some SPF 30 after this post. I prefer my stairways with lot’s fish.

  3. Cindy

    Damn my house looks like a prison cell compared to yours:P

  4. Suzie

    LOVE this ! we just purchased a beach condo at Marco Island Fl.I want it to be fun like this condo. PINK in the kitchen for sure.. and beachy blue in living room. Your staging project has me itching to get down to the beach and git bizy..Thanks for sharing ! You really have a touch for fun and whimsy.

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