WindMark Idea House -- DIY Artwork on a Budget

Photo: Antoine Bootz, Courtesy of: MyHomeIdeas.com
The Master Bedroom we won from MyHomeIdeas was simply extraordinary. The deep purple walls were even more luxurious in person. The beds, upholstered furniture, lavish bedding and window treatments were all here when we finally took possession of the home. The artwork, however, had been on loan from the sponsors, and did not convey with the home. So . . . we were thrilled for the opportunity to add our own personal touches to this and other rooms.
The paintings in the room were reproductions of drawings from a 19th century scientist, Albertus Seba. After a little research, I found the artwork could be purchased at around $2000 per piece. Since I wished to maintain the character of this room, but obviously didn't have the budget needed to duplicate it exactly, I opted for a more reasonably priced alternative.

On Amazon, I found a coffee table book featuring the Natural Curiosities Collection. Many of the prints inside the Idea House were inside this book (on a smaller scale than the originals).
I purchased the used copy of the book (I paid about $20), brought it home, then carefully removed the pages from the binding. (A box cutter made this task much easier and preserved the quality of the photos. I cut only the threads attaching the binding, not the pages, at this point.)
I used a paper trimmer to trim the selected photos from the book. . .

Then floated the pictures atop cardboard mounting squares before framing. I found the frames on sale for $5 at Walmart.

Photo: Robert Tobler
Though, I was unable to locate exact replicas of the first prints which graced the walls of the WindMark Master Bedroom, our versions still seemed to maintain the "Old Florida" vibe of the room ~ at a substantial savings.

To view more photos from the WindMark Idea House, visit our vacation rental website: Summer Dream Cottage or MyHomeIdeas -- the website that changed our life, and made this Florida girl's Summer Dream Come True.

Kitchen Complete!!

While the kids & I have been spending the summer in Florida, visiting family & finishing projects at the Summer Dream (more on those later), my dear husband has been busy with a big project of his own -- tiling the kitchen.

I can't wait to go home to see our new treasure in person. Thanks to my dear husband, Rob, for all his hard work!

Dollar Store Closets -- Inspired Craft Storage on the Cheap!

I love these dollar store closet organizers I found at the Better Homes website. The hanging files on the door are secured by plate holders -- inspired!! I'm heading off to my local dollar store to see if I can find some cute craft storage -- just in time for summer!!

Summer Dream Wall Art and Coastal Decor

During our visit to Summer Dream, we added finishing touches to the decor of the main room.
A double-sleeper ottoman with tray tables, World Market table, candles, greenery . . .

Colorful and coastal serving pieces and glassware for the kitchen. The drink server was here -- we only needed to fill it with pink lemonade (and a splash of something bubbly as the night went on . . . )

The wall art in the main room includes photographic images taken during our first Christmas visit to WindMark and Summer Dream. My mother framed the hometown newspaper account of our win, which we placed in the entry to this room.

I love how the sepia beach prints (taken on WindMark's private beach) reflect the orange touches within the room. Guests to Summer Dream have filled this book basket with personal magazines and tour brochures enjoyed during their visit.

Also collected in the home by our guests: wine corks from numerous celebrations, sea shells from sunset beach searches, and dozens of beach stories in the Summer Dream guest journal.

I simply love the joy of sharing this home with others. What a blessing to know so many magical memories are created each week within this home, on its porches, and along the miles of BeachWalks and sandy shoreline of WindMark Beach. What a Summer Dream Come True!

We hope you'll visit us soon: Summer Dream Cottage

Beach House Bunkroom -- A Summer Dreamer's Delight!

During our visit to Summer Dream, we put the finishing touches on the kids' room. . . So much Fun! With toys, books, family dvd's, and enough sleeping space for six Summer Dreamers (2 bunks with trundles below), giggles are ever-present in this Beach House bunkroom.

We found the artwork in Port St. Joe at Palm Tree Books & Other Cool Stuff. We loved the sea turtle print, so we found some "friends" to keep him company on the wall. WindMark is a sea turtle-friendly community, so we thought it would be a fun theme to incorporate into this space.
The child's adirondack chair came from Sam's Club. We bought a pair, and placed its partner in the outdoor shower.

New carpeting has been added. The seagrass flooring was beautiful, but not as kind to the feet. We wanted to give the kids who visit us a soft place to play. This child's room became complete with the addition of this comfy reading chair from Target. . . The troops can pile on the floor with all the new sea life pillows, while Mom or Grandpa narrates a beachy bedtime story. (We have lots of those here.)

If this vacation home feels like a Summer Dream come true for you too . . . visit us at http://www.summerdreamcottage.com/ to plan your stay.

Porch Party Pictures!!

Back from the Porch Party! We realized ANY photo taken on this porch looks like it came from a magazine.
I loved catching up with my sister Buffie.
Lounging with my dad, and Jill Berry, an artist from the Plein Air Paintout who stayed with us, and will be painting a rendering of our home while she is there! Check out some of her work here.
We had a fabulous time, partied into the night, cooked up goodies in this fabulous kitchen.
And yes . . . we chose a winner . . . to be announced very soon!!

All the photos here came from our dear friend, Linda Brown, who joined us for our girlfriend getaway. . . Check in again, more to follow!!

My Cheerful New Laundry Room

My laundry room has always been a neglected space. . . a room I normally avoid, a room where I generally shut the door to forget about the clutter within. But like it or not -- with three children, pets, and an active lifestyle -- the laundry room is a space where I have no choice but to spend time.

After all these years of closing the door on the chaos, my goal this-time-around was to finally create a work room that would inspire me to, dare I say -- enjoy(!) the mundane task of clothing care.
While building the home last summer, my first request was to add a window to this room. . .
I'm very satisfied with that choice! I love how the morning sun shines brightly in this space. . . The vivid yellow (yep, I know it's bright) bounces the morning sun into adjoining rooms of the home - inspiring me to finally keep that door open. Favorite photos adorn the walls -- coastal serenity balanced with my three happy children splashing in the surf. When surrounded by such magical memories of treasured family moments -- I can't help but feel joy in this place!

Seaside treasures, pleasant aromas, and delightfully inexpensive cabinetry and rolling hampers to hide-away unsightlies finish the space.

Finally . . . after all these years, I'm proud to have a laundry room to cheerfully invite me in. It's bright and happy, yet clean, calm and peaceful at the same time. It may not be for everyone, but it's perfect for me. Yay!!

Thanks so much for featuring my new Laundry Room, Worthington Wire! What a great resource for the web!!


And to The Inspired Room for Tumbling Folks my way!

Photo Wall

I loved this photo wall idea I found at Amy Coffey Photography. I also love her reflection on this space, so I've shared it here:

"This is my family. This is my joy. And, I’m reminded of this every time I walk
into the room. Sigh." ~ Amy Coffey

Beautiful.

Home Improvement -- My New Dining Room!

My husband was busy this weekend! He did a wonderful job painting the dining room. I think I need to shop for fabric . . . these windows are begging to be dressed.

This room showcases our travels -- the artwork was purchased during our tour at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Some of the pieces were gifts from my husband's family in Switzerland.

I love the stories this room tells. The decor keeps conversations flowing during special dinners with family and friends. The new colors (Behr Burnt Almond and Eddie Bauer Pine Needle) in the room highlight our memories much more effectively than builder-beige.

We pulled the same green from our kitchen into the dining room. The two rooms seem to get along a little better now. The art pieces here were actually purchased for the new beach house we won from MyHomeIdeas.com, but Rob and I both decided they look better here. The coastal prints help to warm up snowy days.
Here's a sneak peak of another work in progress . . . our powder room. Rob put up a chair rail over the weekend. I hung a bold art piece from Kirklands. And now, we are "testing" tile samples before we redo the floor. I'll post the full photos when this is done -- but so far, I'm pleased with the progress. This room was 100% white before. The Burnt Almond paint from the dining room really casts a cozy glow on this space.

Mom Space for the Visually Inspired

I'm inspired . . . the perfect Mom Office for a Visual Thinker like me -- great ideas to organize and keep my thoughts on track. Find it at OurBigEarth.com

March in Maryland

Oooh, baby it's cold outside today. . . Almost a foot of snow fell over Maryland during the first night of March.
So, I'm enjoying the winter wonderland . . . from the warmth of my kitchen.
While my little troopers sled through the hills, I'm happy to keep the stove ready with hot cocoa.

Summer Dream at Windmark Beach -- Bunk Room and Guest Suite

The New Summer Dream Beach House in Port St. Joe, Florida (so generously gifted to us from MyHomeIdeas.com) has been officially transformed into Windmark Beach's newest vacation home!! The bunk room is now complete. This room which previously housed the guest suite, offers a snug getaway for children and adults alike. It now sleeps six (between the two bunks and trundles), and features books to read, toys for play, and a tv and game system to keep the younger set entertained.

What was once a child's room . . . is now a dreamy space to greet a sunrise. I am especially proud of this room. We used the gorgeous bed and upholstered furnishings the designer, Dale Trice, left with the home. We added the tables, porcelain fish, and mirrored coastal artwork from PortSide Trading on Reid Avenue in Port St. Joe, coral lamps from LampsPlus.com

We brightened the walls with Sherwin Williams Jovial paint, which matched the pink ribbon on the blinds. We shopped for hours in Port St. Joe and online to complete this space. My father, Dennis Barber, and his handyman, Steve, sanded the walls, patched and painted this room until it glowed. My mother, Linda Barber, and Patti Stroud, my property manager continued the vision by placing the artwork on the walls. I left them with the ideas, but these angels, and our wonderful Summer Dream Team made the rooms a reality.

And speaking of the Dream Team -- here's a pic of the crazy bunch who helped us transform an already fabulous IdeaHouse into a Summer Dream where guests will feel completely at Home! From left to right starting at top: Zach Barber, Steve Connelly, Dennis and Linda Barber (my parents), Michelle Cook, Linda Brown. Seated on the swing is Connie Connelly and girls I simply know as Dani's friends. Dani Connelly is taking the picture.
By the way, this group should be commended for the rug burns I hear they acquired in assembling the bunks. Thank you so much everyone. Thanks to MyHomeIdeas for changing our lives, and to our incredible friends and family for keeping the dream alive. Life is So Good -- especially among friends at the beach!!!

For more great photos and to see how you may getaway to this amazing home, click Here or on the Summer Dream House Picture at the top left of this blog. You will be amazed!!

Lucky Enough! Works in Progress at the Idea House.

Many people are surprised to realize only a portion of the furnishings were conveyed to us as part of the prize package from MyHomeIdeas.com. . . Many of the tables and all of the artwork was on loan for staging purposes. But, the important items remained: all the gorgeous outdoor furniture from Frontgate, all of the upholstered furnishings, window treatments, beds and luxurious bedding. We were thrilled with the home as it was (with or without the pricey artwork), and ever grateful for this experience. As I say, "If you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough." This sign was our first purchase -- located in the laundry room, and the guest's entry to the home. Read Some Day to learn its significance.
We were thrilled to add a few of our own touches to the home. As you can see, the home is still a work-in-progress. But, we are certain to have it in tip-top shape before Spring when, hopefully, our big rental season will begin.

We replaced the missing dining table with a great buy from World Market. The weathered finish of this table is perfect for active families in the beach house. It also neatly stows a bench underneath. So, for our holiday meals, we simply pulled the table away from the window, and had enough space to fit all the troops. The chairs were still in the house from before, but we were able to find an inexpensive look-alike alternative for the barstools at Target.

The artwork was missing in the master bedroom. Luckily, we found stunning replacements at Trask Design Studio in Port St. Joe's lovely shopping district on Reid Street.

This bed sadly had to be moved from the coral bedroom to accomodate a more appropriate location for the children's room in the main house. But we thought it looked lovely in person with the striped walls. Now that I see the picture, however, I'm not as convinced. Hmmm. All the girly decor (lamps, pillows, etc.) have been relocated to our home in Maryland. Updated photos will follow of this room -- now outfitted from another lovely shop in Port St. Joe -- Portside Trading Company. The staff at Portside Trading were exceptionally helpful, allowing us to bring home pieces to try out in the space. Once we have new photos with all the furniture, I can decide if the room color will work.

These beds from SimplyBunkbeds.com look very nice in the coral room. This, as you see, is still a work-in-progress. Your ideas are welcome! I think we just need pillows and artwork and extra lighting to tie it all together.

I do like how the white bunks brighten the space. We placed a bunk on each wall with trundles underneath. There's enough bunkspace here to sleep 6! We also added a double ottoman sleeper to the main room.

Summer Dream can comfortably accommodate a slumbering party of 14. . . perfect for a family reunion. You will find that splitting the bill for a vacation home between a couple of other families (instead of booking individual hotel rooms) allows you a little more pocket change for shopping on Reid Avenue.

We'll post completed photos of the rooms as we have them. . . each weekend my family and friends from the Gulf Coast have been visiting Summer Dream to give each room just a little more love. Many thanks to My Dream Team!

And Blessings to all of you,

Leisa

Christmas Wishes and Bunkroom Dreams

Our daughter's wish list this year includes:
My Little Ponies, Care Bears, Barbie Princesses . . . and for her NEW Beach house bed to move to Maryland so she can have it ALL year long. She will have her wish . . . the bed and lamps shown here (so generously given to her by MyHomeIdeas.com) will be moved up after the holiday. We'll let her enjoy it first in her brand new home by the shore. In its place, new beds will come. Enough beds to sleep 6! Our boys are already planning their bunkhouse campout for this summer!

We plan to build two sets of bunks in an L-shape on one side of the room. . . providing lighting, shelving and slumbering space for each little camper. (Of course, there will be room for grown ups here too . . . you know I'm planning a Summer Dream Getaway for my girlfriends as well!)

Photo from Coastal Living

I think this bunk is beautiful too. I'd like to create a curtain similar to this for each bunk. It just seems magical to provide each bunkmate with a secret retreat in which to dream each night. We have to dream, after all, if we wish to have a dream come true.

I love these bunks I found on MyHomeIdeas. The private desks at each end are inspired. We plan to build an extra bunk on the other side of the room between the windows. Perhaps we can create a similar place to create and play there.

This was another bunk idea from MyHomeIdeas . . . very fun, I think. We plan to provide storage underneath the bunks, either for trundles or extra toys and games.

But for now . . . since I'd like my family to savor our new Summer Dream cottage this Christmas, rather than spending all our time together building bunks (Did I mention my Dad and brother are builders?), I've chosen an economical, temporary solution by purchasing these bunks from SimplyBunkbeds Instead of the storage drawers, we will have a trundle underneath. I'm hoping these will work nicely for now, until Summer Dream's rental revenue is able to finance the more luxurious built-ins.

This is the bedding I've chosen from Linen Source. . . The peaceful shell print and reversible stripes on this quilt make it a gender-neutral choice to welcome both children and adults into peaceful slumber. . .

Now that I've spent the day shopping for the beach house, and taken care of my daughter's biggest wish by allowing her beautiful new pink bed to come to her year-round home -- I really must tackle the rest of my Christmas shopping, now. After all, I have two more wonderful children -- active boys with holiday lists of their own.

But thanks to MyHomeIdeas, our family's greatest wishes have already come true . . . If we're lucky enough to spend our holiday together in our beautiful new cottage by the beach, then (as I've said many times before) we are lucky enough, indeed!

Have a wonderful holiday season. I hope to see you soon at the Beach House!!