If you have always had in mind a beach themed, do it. How about something like this with blues and yellows. I would keep it light and airy ;)

Hi......Have you purchased more furniture for your new home??? If so, is it neutral or color??? Contemporary
or transitional??? The Rhino color looks good, and could work beautifully through you open floor plan. Since the
floors are neutral, and you could keep the ceilings and trim light.

I would add some teal and aqua, soft tones in accessories and art, pillows. Neutral furnishings.

If you enjoy coastal or tropical look I do not see why you can't have it. Perhaps, your neighbors would want to follow your example in decorating once your are done :) To have a restful place you may want to use cooler tones in your furnishings, as suggested above, and you can then add an element of excitement through some colorful art and accessories. You can check out our page for color and art ideas... Raisa

I think you should go with your beach theme. The faux Italy look seems to have run its course and this is your home do please yourself. Would love to see your whale tail table pedestal better and the pelican (?).

Tile is often found in beach homes; it's neutral, easy to clean and sand blends in. The wall colors don't scream one style over another, and if that's not your furniture, I really can't see any reason you couldn't make this beachy! I agree with carolins that you should ditch the vertical blinds. In the dining room picture the wall looks peach. Is that a true representation of the color or is it more like the first pic? If peachy, I'd say paint it. In the same dining room picture I see 2 pool noodles on the porch; I'd bring those colors thru the home along with white, cream, maybe a light gray and you'll have a gorgeous beach retreat!

It looks like everyone likes the beach look idea :), I am not surprised, the joys of coastal living have been inspiration for our art for years!... Raisa

To All: Thank you so much for taking time to share your observations and suggestions. Margo: I love the photo, pared down is about what I had in mind (light and airy).
Matilda Bos: Yes, that furniture is temporary until I can resolve the design dilemma. But what I do like about it is that it is simple and the black contributes contrast, unlike everything else.
LB Interiors: I think the whole house right now is soft tones, and the blue/green walls now are cool. I guess we need more contrast, or definition. Maybe that means something in addition to color?
Raisa: Yes, all is rather calm and peaceful now, to the point of boredom. Your art is what I would call more exciting and perhaps the element I'm really looking for. But wouldn't it be too jarring in this environment?
Insail: Glad to hear of the demise of faux Italian! The dolphin table and coffee table are pretty standard to see in FL. Will to attach a photo of the crane.
Carolins: Yes, it is our furniture but totally replaceable. Suggestions? I do want to keep the result of everything simple, clean, and somewhat minimalist without being cold. In addition, the echo in the space is very noticeable.
Sheers might help alleviate some of that but honestly, the vertical shades are extremely practical in this east-facing room, despite the fact that I'm not a fan either, especially since there is an overabundance of lines in the house.
kristylou: Eating area is now that soft buff, as are the tile floors in buff, gray and ivory, white trim. The wall with the 2 large map scenes is Behr's Ocean Pearl. From all the rooms the turquoise pool is visible so I wonder if bringing more of that color inside would be overload?

With art choices, you need to find something you enjoy looking at for a long while. If you know what you like I can make suggestions, we have a variety of imagery that works in different environments, including images that I would not call particularly jarring :). Here are a few nature-inspired pieces and we have a lot more in our portfolio here on Houzz and on our main website as well. If you are interested you can click on this link to see it... Raisa
http://ben-and-raisa-gertsberg.artistwebsites.com/galleries.html

Nice and bright!
A lot of good advice. A word popped in my head immediately: Texture.
There are pretty shiny floors. Play off of that by layering with some tasteful art that has some reflective qualities, like gold leaf in the artwork, or a sun of baby mirrors, and shiny shells. then I would add some natural matte seascape element textures like sand, grass, reeds, matte shells/starfish for contrast.
Something I have to remind myself all the time is to gently add a theme, don't go theme park. ;-)
Can't wait to see what you do!

Shoparound, that reminds me that we have a whole collection of seashell art, some of the pieces decorated a Sunset Magazine Idea House a few years back. It is still one of our most popular collections. We only keep a few pieces here on Houzz, perhaps, should upload more. But most of them are at this link :)... Raisa
http://ben-and-raisa-gertsberg.artistwebsites.com/art/all/seashells+spectacular/all

Yes, I agree with teal or aqua, as I mentioned earlier. Maybe some light butter yellow too. I was thinking some midtones. Not too light and not too dark. Add a bit of warmth with soft coral. the extra bit of life and is livlier.

I do like the chairs. Marcel Breuer design classics. I'd definitely buy a sofa to bring a bit of softness and something substantial to the space. Something like this will go very well combined with the Breuer chairs.


I do understand the practicality of the blinds, certainly for the large sliding doors, but for the other windows I would consider Roman blinds or natural material blinds.

http://houzz.com/photos/271900

No, I really don't think bringing those colors in would be too much. I think it will draw ppl outside when they are in, and invite them in when they are outside!

"beach idea just doesn't seem to be used in surrounding homes." And we care why? :) Do what feels right for you.

^ AGREE! If we all decorated our homes the way our neighbor does vs what we like, how boring and crappy would that be? I can't stand my mom's decorating, she loves the 80's LOL, If she were in my neighborhood, and I felt I had to copy her or fit in, I'd be really sad. You're YOU not them so go with what makes YOU happy. Take a style you like and tweak it however feels good. If you want to throw neon orange into a beach theme home, then DO IT!!!

So none of the furn is yours? Good, first lose the verticals on all windows. Don't use any heavy coverings on them. instead go the gauzy white panels on ends. Paint. Step out of the box your neighbors seem to be in. Florida is tropical. Go that way. Tommy Bahama or a west Indies look. Would be perfect. West Indies google look to see if you like. It's very dark furn and white flowing panels on windows. I like to paint a pale pear green on walls. But get samples at Lowe's and try on your walls. Do not go dark any where.Pale with a hint of green. Then art is very big in dark frames. Tropical beach oils. invest in good art. Furn a little oversized, . More pic of rest of rooms and see how they flow.

Remove all borders, and get all new lights. Fan can be very important in Fl. Put everywhere, dark blades with stainless. Tile is good color and works in heat of FL.

I see a lot of dining tables?? Not sure why. Don't need them. Is there a formal dining area? Also under bar remove those braces, look awful no reason for them.

Don't forget your sunroom. White wicker with lime green cushions. Place some big palms out there. use a lot of palms in ceramic pots in house also great for adding texture and filling corners.

Use area rugs at a minimum way too Hot there for them.

Margo I chuckled when I read your recommendation of blue and yellow for a beach house. That is precisely what my present house is and I love it. A decorator told me I needed turquoise and that blue and yellow is not beachy!

Do what makes you happy and relaxed! As long as you delete the '80's vibe, you'll be fine.

I think the vibe of Margo's pic is great, not too Theme-ish but feels coastal.

Again, thanks for all your generous advice!
I'm sensitive to the house "fitting in" only in terms of resale, but am not anticipating that soon. And so as many of you suggest, I will march to my own drum, right on down to the beach!
Yes, all of the furniture is ours, but am open to other options. Hauled it from Up North for function mostly.
The area rug you see is there for comfort, texture, and possibly some noise abatement. Is this wrong?
Wow, are those shelf brackets unnecessary? If so, I'll knock them out. They are part of that faux Italian look I mentioned.
The big swag border in the photo is gone. Two other rooms have a border around the vertically-slanted sides of tray ceilings. Travisinteriors, are you thinking that in general all borders are 80's and should be gone? Sharp eyes to notice the far-off table. Was originally in the kitchen eating area and just was storing it there until figuring out what to do with it. Am thinking maybe a sofa could go where you see that table. See photo of dining room for the permanent dining room table and chairs, including BLUE and YELLOW, as many of you suggested. Are the light fixtures really that bad? (Now I'm seeing lots of $$$s).
Carolins: The Klein sofa is perfect with those four chairs. But am considering ditching those four chairs in favor of something with a softer look as in your Roman shades photo.
LBInteriors: I totally agree with you on the coral and have been looking for little touches. See photo on lanai.
Am a bit afraid of your reactions, but am also attaching bedroom photo. Yikes!

Oops, now for the bedroom and tray ceiling border . . . Don't worry, the dolphin has been replaced and new landscaping done, including palm trees.

Recently purchased orange silk throw pillows for the bed. Took down sheers in border photo.

Ah... if you like the furniture that's in the roman shades picture, Pottery Barn or Ikea!
If your current chairs are 'the real deal' and if you are considering selling them, look into their prices. You shouldn't sell them too cheap. They are design classics.

Orange throw pillows will look lovely on your bed. Have to ask, were the lamps new when you took the picture? Or are you keeping them wrapped to keep them clean? That isn't a good look ;-) Anyway...beautiful bed!

The border can probably be painted over. Blue! And the inset part too.

And what a gorgeous view on the lake!

You should definitely have what you want in your home...go for the BEACH!!

Those curtains above are heading in the right direction and I like the natural blinds too as they would go with anything and create a warmth.

For a calming coastal feel, you can still go with tropical art with some interest for excitement:

Warm tones:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/tropical-spirits-palm-tree-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/nautilus-shell-natures-perfection-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/morning-gulls-seagull-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

Cool tones:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/siesta-sky-beach-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-red-dress-beach-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/searching-the-sea-seagull-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/in-heavens-light-beach-ocean-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

A mix of cool and warm:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-honeymoon-sunset-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sunset-in-paradise-beach-photography-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/waiting-boat-tie-cleat-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

This is just a "small" sample of the work in my gallery. I have helped many Houzzer's get the look they want. I LOVE to see the before and after!

I give Houzz discounts too. :)

I love that paint job in the Master Bedroom image carolins....very relaxing.

Terracegallery, love the boat tie and the nautilus shell.

Just for anyone who reads both above comments, we posted at the same time so comments crossed. It looks awfully like we're creepy friendly there lol.

Ha ha...yes..posted at same time. Hopefully we can all be friends with no creeps. ;)

Carolins: The 2 ceilings are delightful--"blue skies shining for me." Would love to use that idea. Might be a bit too committed to green in the house but will test it out.
Yes, the lamps were new--well, at least you didn't see price tags hanging from them. Ha.
Thanks for your comments on bed and view. You can see the vertical vinyl blinds on the bedroom windows too. Seems like just about anything would be an improvement there as well.
The green gauzy swags that you can see in the ceiling photo are gone, as I indicated. Unfortunately, Terracegallery liked them. To me they were too foo-foo and I ripped them down first thing when we bought the house.
Terracegallery--love your stuff. Are you brick and mortar in Sarasota?

Did terracegallery like the swags? Ooo... I must have a word with her :-)

Nope...you have me confused with someone else...I hate swags...and oversized curtains and drappy fabric of any kind...I like clean lines....contemporary to modern. :)

"Those curtains above are heading in the right direction and I like the natural blinds too as they would go with anything and create a warmth."

This quote was referring to carolins ideas right above mine... the clean looking contemporary curtains and the natural blinds. You will NEVER hear me say "I like those swags."....LOL

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/36c104f10022a167_7-6830/traditional-living-room.jpg

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2f610981019cdfb0_7-5384/traditional-roman-blinds.jpg

See above. I almost feel "icky" thinking you guys thought I liked swags...ha ha ha

Thank you Primadonna1.....I run my business from a home studio in Temple Terrace. At any given time, I have paintings here....but not the prints you see on FAA.

Chuckling... poor Terracegallery... I already thought it was strange for you to say that. Hadn't thought of you as a swag-liker.. lol.