You don’t have to know me very long to figure out that I belong somewhere south of the Mason Dixon line.
Closest I’ve come, however, is Evansville, IN. I’ve “done time” in NY, OH, NJ and now CT. Yet my favorite decorating style is anything coastal or beachy. Go figure. Soooooo, this time of year, I can get a wee bit cranky.
So, as therapy, I thought I’d share some tropical décor eye candy from Coastal Living Magazine with you!
So go mix a mojito, crank up the heat and sit back for a mental vacation with me! We’ll all be the healthier for it!
Wouldn’t this be a fabulous place to sip lemonade and peruse your favorite design magazines?
I could serve burned toast for dinner and it would be exotic on this dining table! What a view! (Side note: my Mom always taught me that if you can’t cook well, then present well).
I just love the artwork over the mantel and the vases on the coffee table!
One (big) reason I love coastal decor is that it tends to be kid friendly.
Beautiful use of flowing fabric, and I love the lime/charcoal combo for a splash of contemporary color.
Note the use of hooks (a favorite of mine!)
Sorry to say, but this concludes our summer journey. May your hearts be warm, and your weather warmer soon!
Cheryl says
Thanks for the virtual trip Susan. I may take it again after I get from work today when I can have it with a REAL Mojito!
Asbestos Removal says
This is the coolest thing ever!!! Thanks for sharing
Concrete Floor Stain PALMBEACH says
This site is great!! Thanks for sharing these!!
Susan Jensen Smith says
Thanks…glad you found me! 🙂
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi Flax! Me too! Can’t wait til it’s warm enough to get out and try some of these ideas!
Flax and spindle says
Thank you for a day dream! I love that planter on the table!!
Stefanie says
THANK YOU for taking me on the little vacation! It’s been pouring rain here this afternoon!
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi SoBella – me too! Sadly, it’s snowing again here in CT.
SoBella Creations says
Love the views!
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi Maya – I actually have a short video of St. Augustine dolphins taken from our veranda – if I can ever figure out how to add video to a blog, I will!
Maya@Completely Coastal says
As you know I love, love coastal style decor, such lovely picks…, and St. Augustine is great… I saw dolphins there from the porch of a restaurant (of which I don’t remember the name)!
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi Fifi – we’ve got to talk Julia into a Flip Flop Friday!
Lynn – yea, I’ve been trying to figure that one out myself. Glad your gears are grinding… 😉
Lynn says
Wow I love these pictures. I would so be there with the mojito if only childrearing, preparing dinner and intoxication mixed! :o) I never thought of a charcoal/lime mix in that last photo. Gets my gears grinding….hmm…
Fifi Flower says
I always long for flip flop days! They are my favorite footwear! Beautiful photos!
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi Liz – bummer about the fog! Good thing we have hope!
Hey Suzy, I wonder if those who live in these coveted climates are reading this and feeling sorry for us? LOL
suzy homemaker says
I love Coastal Living. I too, wish I was in a warmer climate though. I love the salty breeze……
Liz says
I’m stuck in a grey foggy UK today and now I feel like I’ve seen a little bit of the summer to come. Thanks so much 🙂
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hi Christy – glad you enjoyed the eye candy! Don’t you wish every day was hooked on Fridays! 😉
ps – I loved paper dolls when I was a kid too…but I was circa late 60’s.
Christy says
I found your blog through hooked on houses…Your post is great…LOVE Coastal Decor… all of the crisp clean white contrasted with beautiful blues and greens…so pretty!
Christy/www.christymccullough.typepad.com/latest
Coastal Italian Style says
We have tried a different approach to coastal living…concrete in an Italian style. Have a look at http://www.concretecottage.com
Hoping to survive all the future hurricanes !
yourhomeonlybetter says
Hey Terry – I LOVE the Sterne house! Thx for sharing!
Angela, I always wondered what keeps me from living in beautiful places like this. Maybe one day….
Angela says
I have salt water in my blood so I am 100% for coastal decorating! I’d give just about anything to live on the water!
~angela @ peonypatch
yourhomeonlybetter says
Ah ha! So I’m not the only one who desperately needs to get away!
And yes, my Mom is one smart lady! Hey Arleen, I highly recommend Dream Dinners…it’s for people like you and me who would rather not cook!
Julia – are you wearing your flip flops today? Why not pretend! Perhaps we should designate a “Pedi Friday” event where we all paint our toes and talk about our favorite color. 😉
rue says
I’m a complete winter person, but you just made me miss my hometown in California LOL
Gorgeous pictures!
rue
Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home says
What relaxing photos! And I absolutely love your mom’s advice because I’d rather do the presenting and let someone else do the cooking! 😉
~Arleen
Gayle says
Sigh. Thank you for that little vacation! It helped me forget about the snow outside for a short while!
medtrans39 says
I love the pictures….I will probably come back often and have “pretend” vacations!
Mary Beth/www.cupcakesandcrinoline.com
Kimm says
Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing. And your mom is one smart woman!
maya | springtree road says
i could use a trip to the beach right about now!
i love those pics of the palm trees all lined up. very nice!
Terry Kearns says
Whatever you do, don’t look at the Robert A.M. Sterne house at Seaside
http://www.ramsa.com/project.aspx?id=236
hookedonhouses says
Too funny that we both posted similar things again this week. Love your Dutch door! And I have always been drawn to coastal and beachy decorating–even though I have lived in places like Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. I’d love to have a water view like the ones in these photos someday. And I’d wear my new flip-flops on my way from the house to the beach. *sigh*
Great post! I enjoyed the seaside fantasy. -Julia 🙂
Kim @ Forever Wherever says
I love anything coastal! I can see Charlotte Harbor from my kitchen window and it’s one of the best things about my house. Thanks for sharing your little dream with us. Oh, I was wearing flip flops and shorts today. LOL