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Houzz Tour: Coastal Chic Family Getaway
Sister Team Transforms a Texas Home into a Stylish Beach Cottage
Amy and Elizabeth Munger, the brains behind Houston-based Munger Interiors, are sisters with an eye for warm, family-friendly interiors. When they were approached to design a beach house for a client with four small children, they knew exactly what to do. "Our client wanted to move in as fast as possible, so we moved pretty quickly on this," says Amy. With the help of Potter Construction, the pair transformed the waterfront home in Galveston, Texas to a chic, contemporary home (with plenty of room for guests) in record time.
Since this was a home with kids, and meant to host guests, Amy and Elizabeth had to incorporate materials that were easy to clean. Sunbrella fabric was used both inside and out, cotton duvets helped simplify maintenance, and sisal and seagrass rugs meant less vacuuming.
Besides making this a guest- and kid-friendly home, the pair had no real limitations on style. "We knew we wanted to do something a little different for them, since their main house is very traditional. So we opted for something a bit more contemporary that they wouldn't normally have," says Amy.
20 Spectacular Beach Houses | Browse beach-house photos
Since this was a home with kids, and meant to host guests, Amy and Elizabeth had to incorporate materials that were easy to clean. Sunbrella fabric was used both inside and out, cotton duvets helped simplify maintenance, and sisal and seagrass rugs meant less vacuuming.
Besides making this a guest- and kid-friendly home, the pair had no real limitations on style. "We knew we wanted to do something a little different for them, since their main house is very traditional. So we opted for something a bit more contemporary that they wouldn't normally have," says Amy.
20 Spectacular Beach Houses | Browse beach-house photos
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The living room Amy and Elizabeth first encountered in the house is a far cry from this beautiful end result. "It was so dark when we first saw it," says Amy. "Lots of ceramic tiles, black granite, and terra cotta walls. It underwent such a transformation — especially for only cosmetic changes — and we couldn't be happier with it." A simple white sofa and armchair are accented by bright pink ikat fabric from Lee Jofa. This pop of color stays grownup since the remainder of the decor is still quite neutral.
The set of armchairs to the left are covered in a custom slipcover in Sunbrella fabric and trim. A wooden coffee table from Custom Furniture LA keeps the tone of the room warm.
The set of armchairs to the left are covered in a custom slipcover in Sunbrella fabric and trim. A wooden coffee table from Custom Furniture LA keeps the tone of the room warm.
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Because this was going to be a vacation home, and the clients were a social couple with kids, they knew this was going to be a house that would have to host various numbers of people at different times. Setting up several little nooks in the living area means more people can sit comfortably in the room with the option of having multiple conversations at once. Except for the couch, the furniture is easy to move, which is great if an extra-large game of charades starts up.
The chairs in this little sitting area are from Restoration Hardware, and the floor lamp is from Arteriors. The table is from Restoration Hardware as well, but was fitted with a custom zinc top.
The chairs in this little sitting area are from Restoration Hardware, and the floor lamp is from Arteriors. The table is from Restoration Hardware as well, but was fitted with a custom zinc top.
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A fresh beach home needs a fresh kitchen! Amy and Elizabeth chose an all-white farmhouse sink, and classic sink fixtures from Rohl for the kitchen sink area.
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All-white cabinetry and light countertops help maintain the fresh and airy feel in this open kitchen. Lucite barstools from Knoll add a touch of trendy to the more classic kitchen decor, and Restoration Hardware light fixtures above the bar provide a splash of industrial bling.
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The turquoise chandelier from Arteriors is one of Amy and Elizabeth's favorite items in the home. "The client was a little afraid of it at first, since she thought it would turn out too fancy," says Amy. "We had to kind of convince her on this one, but once we put it in, it was perfect."
The fabrics throughout the home were considered carefully. Everything had to be durable, and easily cleaned. The cushions on the dining room chairs were covered with a finish to make for easy cleanup. Amy and Elizabeth chose a matte finish to make the cushions less shiny and the finish less obvious. "That's something we end up doing a lot for clients with families," Amy says.
The fabrics throughout the home were considered carefully. Everything had to be durable, and easily cleaned. The cushions on the dining room chairs were covered with a finish to make for easy cleanup. Amy and Elizabeth chose a matte finish to make the cushions less shiny and the finish less obvious. "That's something we end up doing a lot for clients with families," Amy says.
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Color accents the wicker and teak outdoor furniture setting. The neutral chaises came from Restoration Hardware, and the sisters wanted to brighten it up with a few fun accessories. "Elizabeth is amazing with color, so she chose our color palette," says Amy. "It was really based on white — we knew we wanted it to be fresh — and natural tones, with splashes of color throughout."
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Custom turquoise and white pillows were mixed with monogrammed accent pillows to add color and personality to the home's gorgeous waterfront deck.
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An outdoor dining table and wicker chairs from Restoration Hardware sit underneath a pergola, with Sunbrella cushions and pillows for added comfort.
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Although the project had a strict timeline, the only other restriction in terms of decor was making sure there were enough beds for the large family and their guests. When it came to the design, Amy and Elizabeth were able to take the lead and work out the details of the home's design. "It was a really wonderful working relationship," says Amy. "We have a very similar sense of style as the client, and she was so trusting. She was willing to let us take some risks and use our best judgement."
In the master bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth had a headboard made with a natural-colored linen to offset the all-white bedding. The navy and white table lamps from Arteriors sit on top of side tables made with custom Pindler & Pindler fabric skirts and Lone Star Glass mirrored tops.
In the master bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth had a headboard made with a natural-colored linen to offset the all-white bedding. The navy and white table lamps from Arteriors sit on top of side tables made with custom Pindler & Pindler fabric skirts and Lone Star Glass mirrored tops.
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Before revealing the final result to the client, Amy and Elizabeth set up a special treat near the entryway. Four colorful towels with matching monogrammed buckets were waiting for the children on their first visit to the completed home. "We're very detail oriented, so we really try and take care of everything," says Amy. "It was great. She was really touched."
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In the hallway, Amy and Elizabeth made a beach-inspired vignette with an eclectic blue lamp from Arteriors and a rattan tray atop a gray-washed sideboard from a store in Houston. "Our style really runs the gamut," Amy says. "I would say that our designs are almost always on the warm side, and we do a lot of family homes. I don't think we do very well with cold and minimalist designs, but we've done a little bit of everything style-wise."
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Three mini beds with custom headboards and plush Pine Cone Hill bedding make a perfect little bedroom for last-minute overnight guests. The woven trunk baskets from IKEA at the foot of the beds are perfect for storing sandy shoes. The teeny side tables between each bed are from Worlds Away.
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After rushing around to get everything completed on time, the install day was an amazing moment for Amy and Elizabeth. "It had been so fast and furious up to that point, it was amazing to finally take a step back and put it all together," says Amy. "We were so thrilled with the results."
In this bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth installed a sisal carpet for a durable and classic beach house feel. Custom linen headboards completed the look, and were dressed up with a white Arteriors table lamp and a re-lacquered and nickel-plated chest of drawers that was already in the house. The mirror was from the client's Houston home, and just fit perfectly in this room.
In this bedroom, Amy and Elizabeth installed a sisal carpet for a durable and classic beach house feel. Custom linen headboards completed the look, and were dressed up with a white Arteriors table lamp and a re-lacquered and nickel-plated chest of drawers that was already in the house. The mirror was from the client's Houston home, and just fit perfectly in this room.
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A set of bunk beds in the same room adds an extra pair of beds in a compact space. A smart set of drawers underneath provides a little storage for guests, and sconces set into the wall make perfect reading lights.
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A natural and white color palette continues on in the bathrooms, with a rough wooden mirror from Restoration Hardware and an unpolished wood vanity. The white sink was purchased through Kiva Kitchen & Bath, and Amy and Elizabeth used metal as an accent on the fixtures, glass cannisters, and the overhead light fixture from Circa Lighting.
More: 20 Spectacular Beach Houses
Browse beach-house photos
More: 20 Spectacular Beach Houses
Browse beach-house photos
Ideabook updated on Jan. 10, 2012.
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