Houzz Tours
Chic Family-Friendly Ideas for a Pro Ballplayer’s Florida Home
Abstract art, sunny colors and baseball themes brighten this Tampa-area home
When designing this new home outside Tampa, Florida, for a family of five, interior designer Laura Lee took inspiration from the sea, the sun, the sky and baseball. One of the homeowners is a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Lee had worked with a neutral palette for their home in Missouri before embarking on this project. But for their home in the Sunshine State, everyone embraced sunny yellows, bold sea blues and citrus oranges. Other motifs include sunburst shapes and abstract art and patterns for the grownups. For the kids’ spaces, she paid homage to their favorite things — their dogs, baseball, geography and animals. And she used fabrics, rugs and flooring that could stand up to wet feet, dog paws and general wear and tear from an active household without sacrificing style.
In the dining room, the jumping-off point was the abstract floral drapery fabric. From there Lee proposed the large abstract painting, and she found a pair of antique chandeliers that glitter with glass beads and a table complete with host and hostess wingback chairs upholstered in teal velvet. The side chairs are upholstered in easy-care performance fabrics.
The dining room is relatively small, especially for a big family. “They can fit eight people at the dining room table, but it’s tight,” Lee says. So she came up with a plan for the family to accommodate larger groups by adding this bench in a spot in the entryway that’s open to the dining room. She chose a console table for the family room that can extend, and they pull that table and chairs from the breakfast nook in here when they are entertaining larger groups. The bench is upholstered in another outdoor fabric that’s easy to clean.
Another starburst mirror hangs over the sofa. When it comes to mixing metals, Lee finds a natural balance. “I like to use two. Gold tones add warmth while silver tones bring the sparkle,” she says.
Shop for a sunburst mirror
Another starburst mirror hangs over the sofa. When it comes to mixing metals, Lee finds a natural balance. “I like to use two. Gold tones add warmth while silver tones bring the sparkle,” she says.
Shop for a sunburst mirror
This painting by the late artist Bud Lane was the first piece the clients chose for the home, and it inspired the family room’s color palette of navy blue, sunny yellow, white and gray. Lee repeated its abstract shapes with the table lamp choice.
Two happy yellow tub chairs were a splurge that was well worth it. “They bring in such fun, cozy shapes, and the fabric we chose just makes the room,” she says.
Two happy yellow tub chairs were a splurge that was well worth it. “They bring in such fun, cozy shapes, and the fabric we chose just makes the room,” she says.
The family spends most of their indoor time in the family room. Lee anchored the space with a stone fireplace wall, appropriately scaled for the large space. The mantel is reclaimed timber.
She also chose an oversize coffee table, a large navy blue velvet sectional and a trio of pendant lights to fit the large scale of the room. The table is great for playing games, can serve as extra seating and has shelves and baskets underneath for corralling toys, magazines, books and remotes. The extendable console table they use as an extra dining table is behind the sofa.
Find a local fireplace pro
She also chose an oversize coffee table, a large navy blue velvet sectional and a trio of pendant lights to fit the large scale of the room. The table is great for playing games, can serve as extra seating and has shelves and baskets underneath for corralling toys, magazines, books and remotes. The extendable console table they use as an extra dining table is behind the sofa.
Find a local fireplace pro
While big pieces dominate the space, Lee also paid attention to small details — triangles on the pillows play off hexagonal marble pieces on the nesting table tops, for instance. And other throw pillows repeat the abstract botanical pattern motif used throughout the house. She kept the window treatments simple to keep the focus on the view of the backyard, but she added patterned trim pieces to pretty them up.
“They live outdoors when they are here,” Lee says. This outdoor lounge space is located directly out the family room’s doors, so she repeated its color palette out here.
Browse outdoor lounge furniture in the Houzz Shop
Browse outdoor lounge furniture in the Houzz Shop
The family room is open to the kitchen. The herringbone marble backsplash is a stunner, and it plays off the flooring. Lee hid the outlets in strips underneath the upper cabinets to avoid breaking up the backsplash.
She designed the island to fit the whole family, choosing a metallic faux leather for the upholstery to stand up to spills. The nickel upholstery nail trim plays off the stainless steel appliances. And the iron lanterns play off the island’s dark counter and base below.
She designed the island to fit the whole family, choosing a metallic faux leather for the upholstery to stand up to spills. The nickel upholstery nail trim plays off the stainless steel appliances. And the iron lanterns play off the island’s dark counter and base below.
Lee placed the farmhouse sink in the island so that whoever was busy prepping and cooking on this side could interact with the rest of the family. The breakfast room is located at the back of the kitchen and overlooks the pool.
The two abstract paintings by Christina Baker were the second selection the homeowners made for the home, and they inspired the breakfast room’s design. A shimmering blue sea-glass chandelier anchors the space. “Chandeliers are a great way to elevate a space when you have small children around. They are up high so they won’t get messed up,” Lee says.
The table base, chair silhouettes and design on the console throw some curves into the room. The kids use this table for drawing and craft projects, and the console is a convenient place to stash their supplies. The designer upholstered the chairs in two textiles — wipeable leather on the seats and outdoor Sunbrella fabric on the backs. These are the chairs they use for dining room overflow, and they work nicely with that room’s color scheme. She chose an outdoor rug here to stand up to wet feet and dogs. A door on the right leads directly to the covered outdoor dining room and the pool beyond.
The table base, chair silhouettes and design on the console throw some curves into the room. The kids use this table for drawing and craft projects, and the console is a convenient place to stash their supplies. The designer upholstered the chairs in two textiles — wipeable leather on the seats and outdoor Sunbrella fabric on the backs. These are the chairs they use for dining room overflow, and they work nicely with that room’s color scheme. She chose an outdoor rug here to stand up to wet feet and dogs. A door on the right leads directly to the covered outdoor dining room and the pool beyond.
The designer maximized the outdoor dining seating by using a bench. The sunny yellow metal chairs look like bamboo, and the tabletop is galvanized steel.
The sitting area beyond the table is located directly off the master bedroom. She added outdoor drapes so the couple can close this area off for privacy from the rest of the porch and the neighboring house.
The sitting area beyond the table is located directly off the master bedroom. She added outdoor drapes so the couple can close this area off for privacy from the rest of the porch and the neighboring house.
The couple wanted to go dark and dramatic in their master bedroom, so Lee used navy blue on the grasscloth wallpaper, trim and bedding. She then layered in lighter textiles, textures and metallic finishes to lighten it. The draperies are ivory with an abstract pattern in blues. The sunburst mirror shimmers and reflects the light. The table lamps are selenite that practically glows. The 1940s abstract painting, artist unknown, also lightens up the room. And she mixed in some brass finishes for warmth.
On the original house plans this area was simply drywalled. Lee added an LED fireplace insert and designed the surround and built-in bookshelves around it. Then she added two comfortable swivel chairs and a shaggy rug to create a cozy nook for two.
Because the family loves their dogs so much, Lee proposed a dog theme for the kids’ upstairs playroom. She commissioned the three dog paintings, one for each child, from artist Erik Knight. The cushy banquette and table are great for playing games and enjoying snacks. While most of the space is neutral in color, she infused some color with accessories like the throw pillows and the abstract pattern on the window treatments. The double doors open to a covered balcony.
An oversize doghouse frame surrounds an arched chalkboard where the kids can doodle. There is a run of LED rope lights inside the arch that illuminates their artwork. A comfortable sectional has room for the whole family on movie nights. Soft ottomans inject the room with hot orange.
The children’s nanny is a part of the family, and creating a special room for her was a top priority for the homeowners — so much so that they combined two bedrooms to give her the largest bedroom in the house. She worked directly with Lee on the design, creating Houzz Ideabooks to share her ideas.
“A few years ago when we worked on her room in St. Louis, she wanted neutral colors and a rustic vibe. I was so surprised and pleased when she told me she loves color now, and she wanted blues and purples this time around. Those are my favorite colors for a bedroom,” Lee says. Another must-have on her list was a white shag rug. The designer placed it in the bed area so she’d have a soft spot for her feet to land when getting out of bed.
She began with bedding, concentrating on finding something that was beautiful and washable. This abstract botanical pattern in blue was the perfect find. From there she went with a lavender bed and beautiful clear-glass lamps adorned with deep blue glass pieces.
Edge Lamp: Arteriors Home
“A few years ago when we worked on her room in St. Louis, she wanted neutral colors and a rustic vibe. I was so surprised and pleased when she told me she loves color now, and she wanted blues and purples this time around. Those are my favorite colors for a bedroom,” Lee says. Another must-have on her list was a white shag rug. The designer placed it in the bed area so she’d have a soft spot for her feet to land when getting out of bed.
She began with bedding, concentrating on finding something that was beautiful and washable. This abstract botanical pattern in blue was the perfect find. From there she went with a lavender bed and beautiful clear-glass lamps adorned with deep blue glass pieces.
Edge Lamp: Arteriors Home
The large room gives the nanny private space to lounge and have quiet time or to watch TV away from the bustle of the busy household. The chaise is perfect for one or two people to lounge, while the swivel chair adds another comfortable spot.
“Because the bedroom is so large, I knew painted walls would require a lot of artwork. So I opted for wallpaper in here,” Lee says. She found a beautiful geometric blue-and-ivory pattern. A large abstract painting, a comfy swivel chair and throw pillows bring in lavender and pink accents.
“Because the bedroom is so large, I knew painted walls would require a lot of artwork. So I opted for wallpaper in here,” Lee says. She found a beautiful geometric blue-and-ivory pattern. A large abstract painting, a comfy swivel chair and throw pillows bring in lavender and pink accents.
“When your dad is a professional pitcher, it is pretty easy to decide that you want a baseball-themed bedroom,” Lee says. In this boy’s room she fashioned artwork out of bats and monogrammed it with the boy’s initial. She wrapped the walls in two-toned stripes with a white banding.
The homeowners came up with the idea to have the Cardinals’ photographer capture his pitching grips. Lee hung them in a grouping to create a meaningful focal point. “This was such a cool idea, and these will be a family heirloom,” she says. To the right she provided space for displaying balls, mitts and trophies. And the iron bed has a vintage baseball-themed bedding.
More grown-up touches like the blue rug, handsome furniture, brass lighting and abstract fabric on the Roman shades will allow the room to grow up with him. “Kids’ tastes change every couple of years, and by the time they are teenagers they want more grown-up furniture. I always try to keep that in mind by giving them pieces when they are young that will serve that purpose.” she says.
More grown-up touches like the blue rug, handsome furniture, brass lighting and abstract fabric on the Roman shades will allow the room to grow up with him. “Kids’ tastes change every couple of years, and by the time they are teenagers they want more grown-up furniture. I always try to keep that in mind by giving them pieces when they are young that will serve that purpose.” she says.
The couple’s oldest child, age 8, was more involved in the design of his bedroom. “He loves geography, and he approved this wallpaper,” Lee says. He also loves Legos, so she provided some big jars and baskets to keep them handy. “It’s always a good idea to give kids a lot of baskets for all of their toys and books,” she says.
The upholstered bed adds a splash of green, while the rush seat stools and baskets bring in natural textures. The windowpane plaid blanket is washable wool.
The upholstered bed adds a splash of green, while the rush seat stools and baskets bring in natural textures. The windowpane plaid blanket is washable wool.
Lee loves to pick up vintage things as she finds them, knowing someday she’ll have the perfect spot for them. She’d had these salvaged ship portholes in her inventory for two years, and it was as if they had just been waiting for this project to come along. She used them as frames for the wallpaper.
The youngest member of the family, a little girl, loves animals. Lee gave her woodsy walls by covering them with birch tree decals, then layered paintings of creatures atop them. It took two installers three days to get the composition and installation of the decals just right.
The drapery fabric is an abstract botanical pattern, and the ceiling light fixture is adorned with porcelain flowers. Her armchair swivels, and the vintage table lamp on the dresser provides ample light for reading. A soft area rug makes playing on the floor comfortable.
Lee outfitted the house right down to the china, silverware and beach towels. When the family was ready to move in, all they had to do was turn the key.
More on Houzz
Read more home tours
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
The drapery fabric is an abstract botanical pattern, and the ceiling light fixture is adorned with porcelain flowers. Her armchair swivels, and the vintage table lamp on the dresser provides ample light for reading. A soft area rug makes playing on the floor comfortable.
Lee outfitted the house right down to the china, silverware and beach towels. When the family was ready to move in, all they had to do was turn the key.
More on Houzz
Read more home tours
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five and their nanny
Location: Tampa area, Florida
Size: 5,000 square feet (465 square meters); six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half bathrooms
Designer: Laura Lee of Laura Lee Home
The family has a primary residence in Missouri. However, the wife’s family lives in the Tampa area, so they built this home knowing it would become their full-time home someday. Because Lee had worked with them before, they already had a great working relationship. They shared ideas and inspiration photos using Houzz ideabooks. This house was a spec house they bought before the ground was broken. Lee had to work with the floor plans but chose all the finishes, including lighting, flooring, cabinetry, built-ins and fireplace surrounds. She also outfitted the house with everything else, from large furniture down to the beach towels.
She set the tone for the house in the entry foyer. The flooring is porcelain tile that looks like wood laid out in a herringbone pattern. “These floors are indestructible, they have a lot of variation in color and the herringbone pattern commands attention,” she says. They are durable and can stand up to sandy feet, wet paws and all other sorts of abuse. She also kept young children and dogs in mind when selecting many of the fabrics. For example, the seats of the brass chairs are upholstered in a fabulous outdoor velvet fabric. “This fabric is so deep and rich you’d never know it was outdoor fabric,” she says.
A wood chest adds natural texture and provides a landing zone. A sunburst mirror celebrates sunny Florida while framed drawings show off the homeowners’ interest in abstract art. The hand-knotted wool rug adds another abstract pattern in blue, ivory and gray. And the star-shaped pendant light throws beautiful light and shadows around the room.
Find an interior designer on Houzz