Home away from home
Pros share tips for making your vacation residence a personalized retreat
Interior designer Amy Miller Weinstein combined the blue hues her client requested with white and classic patterns for a timeless feel.
A kitchen in a historic beach cottage in Casey Key, Florida, echoes nature with a blue backsplash, wood cabinets and woven barstools.
Bold accessories add personality to this oceanside home.
A Florida condo on the St. Johns River blends heirloom pieces and collections with new finds for the perfect blend.
Whether you have a waterfront cottage or you want your main residence to resemble a retreat, here are some ways to create that vacation home look and feel. Second dwellings often focus on family, says Amy Miller Weinstein, interior designer and owner of AMW Design Studio in Birmingham, Michigan, so the wish list might be different. That was the case for her client with a getaway on the bay that provides a special place to gather year-round.
The older structure was remodeled and reconfigured a bit.
"There is always an emphasis on taking advantage of the view," Weinstein says. "An open kitchen area lives in harmony with the outdoor patio they created. The water view definitely influenced the color scheme and vibe that they wanted."
Weinstein introduced the blue hues her client requested in a timeless way.
"Taking that as my cue, there is blue and white and a little pattern with stripes," the designer says. Places to gather include a square table for games and meals and a small den with a metal fireplace surround. "The home turned out to be a great retreat," she adds.
Weinstein says second homes offer an opportunity to collect and decorate with pieces that relate to the location. Still, she adds, "You have to be mindful of not having too many precious things in a second home with a lot of people. You don't want guests to be overwhelmed by a space. It should be like a boutique hotel with a cool vibe."
Planning a vacation home can be a unique experience.
"Just like any second home, we did a lot of remote meetings with FaceTime and Zoom," Weinstein says. "It's helpful to have a builder who is openminded and willing to work that way. That is key for me."
Enjoy your stay
Kathleen McGovern, who owns Kathleen McGovern Studio of Interior Design in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, sees patterns with people who have these retreats.
"A specific location has called to them and they have set their sights on having a second home there with a different level of experience from their primary residence," she says. "But there are still commonalities like meal prep and entertaining."
Dining areas might include al fresco settings, kitchen islands with comfy stools and coffee tables for rainy day cocktails and casual fare.
The designer says guest rooms that accommodate hobbies and work-from-home spaces can become chaotic without well-planned storage. For instance, a closet can house equipment and supplies. In addition, built-ins like a Murphy bed and cabinets can be helpful solutions.
Recreational activities also need storage consideration.
"Second homes are where the fun and extra stuff show up like fishing poles, life preservers, pickleball and tennis racquets, coolers and entertaining accessories," she adds. For these locations, McGovern recommends pieces that need minimal maintenance. "Be pro-active with high-performance materials that can stand up to wet bathing suits and sandy shoes," she says. "Environmental conditions should dictate the selections. Windows, floors, furnishings and art all need to be considered for sun resistance."
Furnishings from another home may not work unless you are planning around those pieces. With new builds and renovations, organization is key when you meet with your architect and builder. "Ask yourself: How do I want to feel when I am there?" McGovern says. "So many people entertain in their second home, but it's a whole different experience. Sometimes people spend the night and everybody wants to be outside. People want to enjoy their environment, so dining outdoors becomes a priority."
Personal destination
Jane Synnestvedt, principal for her eponymous firm in Birmingham, Michigan, and Jacksonville, Florida, has a condo on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville that she completely renovated.
"With second homes, people want something a little more fun; they want to change it up," she says. "If their primary home is more formal, it might be a more relaxed environment."
Her condo serves as the perfect example. "I have a lot of things I've collected in both homes, so it's nice to display them in this one," Synnestvedt says. "I do not have wallpaper in my Michigan home, but I literally have wallpaper in almost every room here. There is a lot going on with a more maximalist approach, but I love it."
Her 2,000-square-foot condo lives large. "The layout is fabulous," Synnestvedt says. "I really do love the place and I entertain a lot of overnight guests. They have privacy and river views. To me, the water is really restful."
With second homes, she says people often turn to catalogs they think will create a warm space, but that can make them feel more like a rental than a home. Instead, the designer suggests: "Create an inviting and comfortable space that reflects your individuality."
