Den
Furniture slipcovered in linen signals that the den is a place to relax. Friends and family can crash on the comfortable seating after a long day at the beach. Windows open onto a private courtyard.

*lofty ambitions: To make the pair of windows at the end of the den appear taller, Carol hung Roman shades and draperies close to the high ceiling. The rod height gives the impression that the glass stretches right to the crown molding.

Roman shades, drapery, and yellow pillows: Sunbrella. Upholstered furniture: Lee Industries. Paint: Valspar. White pillows: Calico Corners. Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors.

Kitchen
This small but well-equipped kitchen occupies a prime location, opening to both the breakfast area and den. A wide island makes a great spot for homework or a quick meal. The sleek stainless steel faucet (with a unique pull-down nozzle) matches the fridge, oven, and hood.

Carol planned the color palette in the kitchen around muted beach tones such as sand and sea foam. She painted the cabinets a rich, neutral taupe and brightened the island with a complementary marsh green. “I wanted a punch of color but didn’t want it to cover the whole wall, so the island was a great place to do it,” Carol explains. Bar stools upholstered in a stain-proof fabric continue the theme, uniting the cabinetry colors with the den and breakfast area.

*stylish tile: Trade in your square-tile backsplash for a fresh look. “You see penny rounds [small, circular tiles sold in sheets] a lot in functional rooms, on the floor,” Carol says, “but in the kitchen they give off a hip, young, family vibe.” In the Idea Cottage, she chose tiles that echo fabric colors from adjoining rooms.

Paint: Valspar. Appliances: Viking. Fixtures: Delta Faucet. Bar stools: Lee Industries.

Living and Dining
In the living room, Carol painted the walls a soft blue and had oversize chairs outfitted in easy-maintenance slipcovers. She customized neutral pillows with ropes and grommets for a subtle nautical effect.

Elegant drapes and dark-wood furniture give the room a sophisticated air, while a candy-stripe rug and vibrant accent pillows keep it from feeling overly formal. “A little bright color goes a long way if you want the room to still be restful,” Carol says. She prefers to save bold colors for small, eye-catching details, such as the turquoise and orange throw pillows.

Carol used the same trick in the dining room, which she designed to feel formal enough for large dinner parties but comfortable at the same time. She paired slipcovered dining chairs with a table reproduced from an antique. A splash of bright mango on the binding of the rug and trim on the chairs makes a big—but not overwhelming—statement.

Carol fell in love with the glass pendant lights over the table, but wanted a more casual look. “I had the fixtures hung with rope to take them down a notch and add a more rustic touch,” she says.

*conversation starter: Carol suggests creating a seating arrangement with a circle of chairs, rather than sofas positioned across from each other. “People sit more comfortably in their own chairs, and it’s better for conversation,” she says.

Chairs: Lee Industries. Paint: Valspar. Drapery and neutral pillows: Calico Corners. Windows and door: Marvin Windows and Doors.

*coastal chic: A hallmark of Carol’s fresh, coastal look is the combination of formal elements (such as the floor-to-ceiling semi-sheer draperies shown here) with informal, bright pillows and accessories. Even the daybed she used in place of a traditional sofa emphasizes a breezier feel. “It’s a great spot to lie on a lazy afternoon and see the water,” she says. “And it doesn’t block the view from the other seating area.”