I’ve been fortunate to work with a new client in Florida for the past six weeks or so, planning paint schemes and furnishings for a move from one very nice home on Sanibel Island to another, equally lovely home in Fort Myers.
We started with selecting paint colors for the new residence, and while acknowledging the light, sunny and tropical surroundings, I suggested that we keep the overall color scheme somewhat neutral in the large, open area that includes an entry way, great room, kitchen, breakfast area, dining room and hallways. The color we selected, Benjamin Moore’s Bradstreet Beige, creates warm and welcoming surroundings that play up casual, light cocoa wood grained luxury vinyl plank flooring and that provide a nice backdrop for an expanse of light quartz countertops in the open kitchen. The dining room, while open to the other areas, features a framed opening that allows for a color change, so we’re using Mesa Verde Tan to create a different, more dramatic feeling for the dining room. A den/office tucked into a quiet corner of the new house will feature Brookline Beige to create a cozy but elegant feeling.
The more private areas, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry room will feature soft versions of coastal colors such as turquoise and blue, including Benjamin Moore’s Wythe Blue, Yarmouth Blue or Buxton Blue. These colors provide beautiful contrast to white trim used throughout the house.
Furniture-wise, we’ve been shopping and selecting items that provide a casual but very sophisticated look, including dining room furniture with an array of finishes and fabrics. We’ve selected a beautiful round dining table in a weathered and wire-brushed Gray Elm finish, plus graceful dining chairs with oval shaped X backs. Master bedroom furniture features a soft, very dark finish that’s somewhat unexpected and will stand out beautifully against the light turquoise colored walls.
Although there are many great looking, “tropical” furniture options out there in bamboo and rattan, we’ll limit those items to avoid a stereotypical look and to fill in the very open and soaring interior that has high ceilings and lots of space.
A really wonderful item I found is a beautiful area rug from Company C. A multicolored floral pattern features many of the bright colors we’re working with, on a soft cocoa brown background. It’s unexpected and definitely fun!
Beautiful round dining table with wire brushed Gray Elm finish
Custom chairs will actually feature kiwi green fabric on seats and backs
Dark finish will contrast nicely with soft teal paint color planned for walls
The great room area rug will visually tie together many elements of the open floor plan