I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I was able to get away from a heavy workload and unwind and enjoy some time in the Highlands.
These days, I don’t seem to get a break unless I leave town, and I love it that way!
While visiting the Highlands, I was thinking about themed vacation properties, especially those that are in coastal areas, in the mountains or on a lake. I get many clients who ask for some design assistance at such properties.
Usually it is their second home where they invite family and friends. And maybe they offer it to rent while they are not using it. Many times when I do a walk through, I find these properties have been over themed with cute little decor items that reflect the theme of the surrounding landscape.
I find my clients usually want me to help make their property’s decor feel more sophisticated, and maybe they plan to put this home up for sale. If so, they will want to target a higher-end market.
A property that looks overdone and dated is not very appealing to such clientele as they will have a hard time envisioning entertaining their guests. And if you want to rent the property, you have to consider your competition that has a cleaner, updated and more sophisticated flair.
There are ways to get a theme across without plastering words and cheap decor all over the place. Now, if this works for you and makes you feel at home, you don’t need anyone to tell you to change it. It is your home to live in and enjoy.
Instead of art on the walls that have words talking about the locale, consider adding art that reflects the area without actually saying it. The same with choosing pillows for your seating or beds.
Those little resin figures that are themed might be better if replaced with decorative items that were collected in the area such as a large seashell, a large pine cone, or an old time fishing basket. Think about making a statement instead of cluttering up a space with a lot of themed knick-knacks.
Consider the wall color in your space. If coastal, consider ship lap walls painted in bright, fresh colors. If in the mountains or the lake consider beige wall tones accented with jewel tones.
More than decor, building materials can assist in getting a theme across in a more subtle way. Flooring should always be durable, considering most do not stay indoors the entire vacation and sand or mud can easily find their way into the living space.
Brown or gray wood type or wood look floors get a rustic theme across well in a lake or mountain property. Maybe even a distressed look will highlight the “home away from home” feel.
Lighter wood type floors or ceramic tile work better in a coastal setting, or any area where sand is native.
Consider exposed wood or wood look ceiling beams. Again, brown or gray at the lake or mountain and whiter at the beach. Also, maybe consider a stone fireplace at the lake or mountain house versus a shell/stucco “tabby” fireplace at a coastal property.
Take your time when deciding on how to furnish your vacation property. Have fun and don’t fall into the trap of overdoing your theme!
