Raise your hand if you have a vacation home or if you plan on purchasing one in the near future. Okay, raise your hand if you just dream of having one someday! I'm pretty sure just about everyone reading this raised their hands. If you're like me, you can't quite decide if you'd rather be near the ocean, a lake, the mountains...it doesn't really matter as long as it's far enough away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life so that you can unplug and relax.
No matter where you dream of having that vacation home, there are a few things to keep in mind when designing one. I have been fortunate enough to have worked on several vacation homes with my clients. What I think is so exciting about working on something that's not a main residence is that it allows you to be even more daring and creative!
That being said, there are some guidelines that I tend to adhere to when designing a second home. First, and foremost, the location often dictates the look and feel of the décor. Mountain homes tend to use more wood, darker colors and soft, fuzzy (snuggly) materials. While a beach property tends to use softer colors, light, airy fabrics and painted furniture.
Who wants a house that looks just like their main residence? Take a chance on a fun wall color or design style that might not fit into your everyday life but that you seem to be drawn to. Maybe it's time to design something rustic. Perhaps you're beachside cottage is asking for some sleek, modern décor. Why not let your second home be your alter ego?
Whether you plan on renting your property or not, most second homes are in areas known for bringing in the outdoors, read: mud, sand, pine needles, water, etc. Make sure that the carpet, flooring and fabrics can stand up to a beating. There are so many fabulous materials out there that mimic great indoor materials and finishes.
Rugs made from recycled soda bottles or rope by Dash and Albert, or soft fuzzy solution dyed acrylic fabric by Perennials and Thibaut are some of my favorites.
You can also find hardworking, good looking laminate flooring (yes, you read that right...laminate flooring) that has the look and feel of real hardwood! Much easier to clean and maintain than real wood. Plus, they can withstand the dirt, sand and water that inevitably gets brought into your vacation home.
Let's face it, vacation home = lots of visitors. Whether it's a rental or not, if your home is in a great location, expect lots of visitors! That's why I am so enchanted by creative sleeping accommodations that maximize space and functionality. I love to use trundle beds or bunk beds whenever possible. I just adore the photos below that include storage within the bunk. What a great space saver, as you won't need a dresser! You can even add a twin bunk over a double bed, which is great for accommodating a family in one room! And don't forget the good old fashioned Murphy bed! They've come a long way in style and function.
Just because it's a vacation home, doesn't mean you have to forgo luxury. Remember it's your special place where you get to go and escape the daily grind. Perhaps you create a beautiful sanctuary in the master bedroom. I'm working on an amazing vacation home for a client right now and we are using Swarovski crystal faucet knobs in the master bath of a timber frame home, just for a bit of glam. Top that off with lux bedding and drapery in the master and this couple may never leave!
I like to load up a vacation home with lots of good old fashioned board games and puzzles, just in case you get stuck inside when the weather takes a turn. Consider adding an extra dining table for game nights.
Outside toys are just as important. No one wants the kids to say they are bored while on vacation, right? Games like Bocci or Cornhole are easy to set up and are fun for every generation to play. If you have the space, dedicate a closet for game or toy storage. In one of our vacation home projects, we used a walkin closet on the ground floor as boot and ski storage. With lots of extra hooks, there's a place for everything and everything has a place!
Personally, I want my second home to feel and look different than my regular home. Of course, it's still my style but I enjoy letting the surroundings dictate the style of the décor of the house without it becoming too "themed".
If you plan on renting your second home out, keep in mind that your décor should appeal to the masses. It's much like staging a home. Try to maximize the space. If you have an amazing view or the perfect location, let that be the show stopper. Of course, if you are renting, you will want to keep all personal items out (like family photos and expensive items), all while making the space updated, comfortable and stylish.
We would be delighted to help you design your vacation home. To see some of our vacation home designs, plus lots more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board, Vacation Home Décor.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.