My Bay Inspired Home - Introduction & Entry

It’s been 2 years and 8 month since hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast.  The re-building and/or repair journey for all of us has been painfully slow.   When our home reached a point that was as completed as it was ever going to be, I was able to start the truly exciting part of re-decorating.  In the beginning, I had so many ideas of how I wanted to decorate our bay home.  I knew I needed to decide on a specific style.  The problem for me is, I like everything coastal.  I love the fresh, clean look of navy and white.  The comfortable and carefree vibe you get from a coastal farmhouse look.  I find myself drawn to natural materials and textures of nature that remind me of tropical destinations.  The casual elegance of that relaxed island style.  Then again there is the other side of me that likes furnishings with personality.  Bold coastal colors that make a statement.  Colors that make you smile and remind you of a beach destination I wanted our home to feel like everyday’s a vacation, a retreat, a place to unwind and relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Coco Chanel once said, “An interior is the natural projection of the soul”.  Did I really want my house to project me as I am? A person who jumps all over the place. I could have easily decorated each room in a different style and had fun with it, but then again it wouldn’t flow and over time would start to drive me crazy.  When it comes to decorating there are things I know for sure apply to me.  Furnishings and accessories have to be symmetrical and balanced when placed.  I prefer a monochromatic color palette with a splash of a complementary color.  I do like some matchy-matchy.  I believe this comes from growing up in a home with a lot of mismatched furniture, not by choice.  I was shabby before it was chic.  So, in designing our home’s interior, I decided I can’t be all over the place.  I needed to narrow it down and be a little more cohesive in my design.  So, what is my style?  I went to my closet to see if my wardrobe would give me an idea. Well, that was no help, there is not really a consistent tone there either.  I have clothes ranging from solids in black, navy and white that would make Audrey Hepburn proud to wild and colorful clothes from Lilly Pulitzer.   My shoes range from flip flops to leopard print high heels. Where on Earth am I going to wear those?  But they are sooo cute.  Then, I see it. 

This t-shirt says it all. Is this a design style? No, but for me I realize it’s not about right or wrong, it’s about what I like.  Live with what you love. So, I have determined that I have a split personality style disorder.  It’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  I like calm and soothing and fun and funky.  Therefore, I tried to incorporate both.  If I like it, it makes me smile and is somewhat in the budget, I buy it and figure out how to incorporate it in the room.  This can be quite a challenge.  Furnishings are not like leopard shoes.  You can’t just keep a piece of furniture on a shelf in a closet waiting for that perfect opportunity to bring it out. I once read that you should only buy those pieces that make you smile.  Well hello, a lot of things make me smile.  Leopard shoes come to mind. I knew one thing in all of my bouncing around and that was, I wanted our home to be a place where friends and family come together and make memories to last a lifetime.

Along with my design disorder, there were 3 other factors that determined my overall design decisions:  1) The architectural style of our home; 2) Three rather large labs; and 3) Budget 🤬(that dreaded word I despise).  My home is a two-story stilt home with the main living upstairs, which is common on the Southern coast.  The upstairs has the living, dining, kitchen, master bedroom, master bath, guest room, guest bath, and office.  The lower level contains a game room, kitchenette, a small sitting area, 2 bunk rooms, and 2 bathrooms.  I took the opportunity to give a nod to both of my split personalities therefore, the style differs a little on each floor.

Most of the furnishings featured in this blog can be found at Bay Inspired Living located in the little town of Rockport, Texas.  I have selected furniture and accessories from the store to create a unique and inspirational home. My style may not represent your style, what you like or how you live, but maybe you will find some inspiration somewhere along the way.  May you enjoy the journey and the destination, but most of all, Be Inspired!

Welcome to my story. I hope you visit me in my little shop in Rockport, Texas to create your own.

The Entry

For the entry I needed a place for me, as well as my guests to drop their keys, purse, tote, hat & shoes.  Anywhere I can add storage is a bonus.  I found the perfect pieces.

On the right I placed this “mermaid cabinet” that I fell in love with the moment I laid eyes on it.  It is flashy, fun and sophisticated.  The scale pattern sealed the deal.  The lamps were just too beautiful to pass up.  They have chain pull switches for each of the 2 bulbs allowing you to decide on just the right amount of light.   How can you not love all things gold? The twig mirror adds a more organic touch.

Upon entering to the left just past the entry closet the wall is inset. This bench, covered with a silver and white animal print fit perfectly. As you can see, my the furniture equivalent to my “leopard shoes” found a home. For this bench one can choose a different fabric from a wide selection offered by Lexington Furniture. Above the bench is a painting from one of our accessory vendors. The silver and gold in the painting pull together the accent pieces in the entry. Although it is hard to see in the photo, the painting also contains the rich teal color that I have chosen for accents throughout the house. The rug is made of a natural fiber, Jute with silver threads running through it. What can I say, I like bling.

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Lexington Furniture-Bellport bench-Oyster Bay Collection

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Jaipur Living Rug-Subra-Vega

This small area, which is hidden by the door upon entry, is where you can place hats and other items.  I like that the clutter is not visible when you walk in the door.  Of course it’s visible when you leave, but it is all about first impressions.

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Adirondack-Troy Lighting

The entry lighting has a unique and eclectic look. The natural tree branches come in graphite and silver leaf finishes. Make your entry lighting statement pieces. If you buy at a big box store, then you're likely to see the same fixture in your neighbor’s house. So, step out of the box.

I have set the tone. It appears that I have started down the path of a more elegant approach. Not completely what I was thinking in the beginning I would do. However, once I selected the mermaid console as my jumping off point, I had to move forward with that in mind. It turns out Dr. Jekyll is a tad on the flashy side. In case you couldn’t tell, he’s the one with the leopard shoes.

Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold. In the next episode I will introduce you to the living, dining and kitchen areas.

In the meantime, please check out my website for other options for your entry. More beautiful furnishings can also be found on lexington.com and bernhardt.com. Orders can be placed through our store and delivered locally.