Coastal Christmas

I lived on the white sandy beached of Destin Florida for about 3 years. It is one of the most beautiful and amazing beaches you will ever visit. My husband and I got engaged on one of those beaches in fact. Destin will always have a special place in my heart.


While in Destin, I had my first job as an interior designer. Working in that environment had a huge impact on my style and inspired me so much in my design career. Even when we lived in Minnesota, I tried to inject a little bit of Destin into my designs. Whether it was a paint color that looked like the ocean, or a fabric that had a texture that reminded me of sand, I tried to incorporate some element of the beach into the rooms I designed.

I remember when I first started to learn about coastal design and how shocked I was. It wasn't about fake shells and bright crazy printed fabric. It wasn't about dolphin paintings and beach chairs in the living room. Coastal design is about casual living, relaxed textures, soothing colors, shell accents and bringing the outdoors in. The coastal lifestyle is so laid back and relaxed and I believe that is what coastal design is intended to be as well. Soft greens and blues and browns, comfy furniture, laid back living.

You can imagine my delight when I came across these pictures from Coastal Living magazine. It shows how coastal design can be incorporated into your holiday decor!! And you don't have to live at the beach to make this work!! Why can't we feel like we are on the beach ALL the time??!! Sounds perfect to me!!!

Awe....Destin!

Lilypads

Pizitz

Pizitz

Pizitz

I apologize for my absence over the past few weeks. I can't say that I have been doing anything spectacular...just trying to get back to normal after a fabulous week in Destin Florida for summer vacation!! I lived in Destin for about 3 years and loved living and working there. How could I not? I worked about 2 blocks from the beach! We spent a week laying on the beach, eating great seafood, relaxing and enjoying all the sandy white beaches had to offer us. I was extremely sad to leave our quite, peaceful routine we had developed, but I did return feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

While we were there, we did lots of fabulous shopping!! One of my favorite towns in the area is called Seaside. (The movie "The Truman Show" was filmed there.) Seaside has unique and fun shopping and some really amazingly decorated homes. Pizitz is a cozy and quaint store that showcases beach style at its finest. I could literally move in and live in the store. I love absolutely everything about it!! It made me want to come home and re-do my entire house and cover it with sand and shells!

We also visited an antique and home furnishings store called Lilypads. Lilypads offers some great finds to help transform you home into a beach masterpiece. I really enjoyed the unique finds!

I did plenty more shopping, but I will save that for my next post. Just writing about Destin makes me miss it so much, and I also realize, I am loosing my tan. Oh, I think I need to go back soon!!!