Showing posts with label Vacation Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation Home. Show all posts

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Brooke Steuart - Beautiful Bedrooms and a Giveaway


The last few weeks I have taken you on a tour of the exterior spaces and living areas of designer Brooke Steuart's beautiful Delaware beach house (to see the outdoor spaces click HERE and to see the living spaces click HERE).  Now it's time to let you see where she and her family dream about their days in the surf and sun, by taking you to see her gorgeous bedrooms and bathrooms.  Once again I would like to thank Mike Busada, the talented owner of Mike B Photography, for the use of all of his wonderful photos!

Like the rest of Brooke's vacation home, the bedrooms are beautifully appointed with a bit of whimsy thrown in for good measure.  As with everything Brooke touches, there is always an element of the unexpected found in her designs and her beach house bedrooms are no exception!


An animal print rug, vintage poster, and contemporary console table may not scream "beach" house to the average person, but Brooke has a knack for combining the things she loves to create warm and welcoming spaces.  Black and white sailing prints hang in the hallway leading to the bedrooms, reminding visitors of the home's location, while tying in perfectly with the color scheme of the rug.



A romantic at heart, Brooke defies traditional beach house kitsch in this gorgeous guest room.  The Victorian hand painted bed, pale blue walls, crystal bedside lamps, and silk skirted side table create a fairytale like atmosphere for daughters and guests alike.



Colorful bedding. lots of pillows, and a fluffy white duvet add luxury to the room without being too fussy.


Hand painted furnishings and fresh flowers add a feminine touch.  And is there any better way to welcome your guests than with fresh flowers?!



If you thought Brooke was going to abandon her love of color in the bedrooms of her beach house, think again!  When asked how she feels about using strong colors Brooke says, "Don't be afraid to use beautiful colors!"  A belief that clearly shows in this gorgeous melon colored bedroom!  



Colorful accent pillows and artwork play nicely off of the rich deep wood tones of the furniture and lends a sophisticated tropical feel to the room!



The guest bath is another room where Brooke let her creative color juices flow.  The lime green walls, whimsical art glass light fixtures, and sleek glass enclosed shower get guests ready for a day of fun in the sun!



And because no home by the ocean would be complete without at least one beach inspired room, Brooke designed this colorful room with that in mind. 



Casual white painted furniture, beachy accents, and crisp colorful striped bedding create the perfect seaside abode.



Beautiful glass lamps provide extra reading light as well as a fun punch of color!



If bold colors aren't your thing, how about a touch of the exotic?!  Carved furniture, Asian accents, and touches of gold and red give this guest room a Balinese feel.



Guests will wonder if they've been transported to a far away land when they stay in this tranquil room!



"Make guests feel welcome by providing them with plush towels, fresh flowers, something to drink, and books or magazines in their room," suggests Brooke.



I've saved the best for last with the piece de resistance, the master bedroom suite! 



Brooke's master bedroom is a sophisticated blend of masculine and feminine elements with luscious chocolate brown walls, mirrored nightstands, and luxurious bedding.  Blue gray accents and nautical touches speak to the home's waterside location.



A fireplace adds to the romance of the space and provides warmth for those chilly early Spring and Fall evenings along the Delaware coast.



High end treatments continue in to the master bathroom, where a soothing color palette envelops you.  Natural woven baskets provide extra storage under the sink area and add texture and interest.



Beautiful glass mosaic tile in shades of turquoise and seafoam green, sparkling fixtures, and natural materials create a spa like retreat in the oversized shower and provide the Steuarts with the perfect spot to begin and end each day!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing Brooke Steuart's beautiful beach house, and to see more of her lovely vacation home you can click HERE!  

And to contact Brooke Steuart of Brooke Steuart Interiors click HERE to visit her website!

Now for the Giveaway!!!

And I have a special surprise for you, my bloggy friends!  Brooke was not only kind enough to let us visit her gorgeous beach house, but she's also provided me with a signed copy of the fabulous book entitled Waterside Cottages by Barbara Jacksier with photography by Dan Mayers to give to one of you!!!  Brooke's beach house was featured in this great book, and Waterside Cottages is even featured in the June issue of Romantic Homes Magazine!!!  This book is a must have for all you beach design and decor lovers like me!

Thank you again to Brooke Steuart for sending me this wonderful book to give to one lucky reader and to Mike B for your great photos!  

Here's how to enter for up to 3 chances to win Waterside Cottages by Barbara Jacksier!

1.  Become a Follower of Low Tide High Style and leave a comment letting me know that you are a follower.

2.  Leave me a separate comment letting me know which of Brooke's beautiful bedrooms you would want to spend a night in.

3.  Blog, tweet, or facebook about this great giveaway and come back to leave me a separate comment for a 3rd chance to win!!

The giveaway will be open until Midnight PST, Monday, May the 3rd.  So be sure to check back on Tuesday, May 4th to see if you're the lucky winner!  Good luck!




Monday, April 12, 2010

Brooke Steuart - Inspired Interiors



A few days ago I posted about the exterior spaces at Maryland designer Brooke Steuart's vacation home (which you can read more about HERE).  Now, it's time to head inside to see how Brooke designed the living spaces in her beautiful beach house to suit the needs of her active family of six.  As in my last post, all of the photography is by a wonderful photographer, Mike Busada, of Mike B Photography.

The interiors of Brooke's beach house are much like the exteriors where daring, bold colors were used to create warm and inviting interior spaces.  Although a casual beach theme is prevalent throughout her home, Brooke also brings a touch of whimsy and the unexpected to her Delaware vacation house to help keep it from becoming too kitschy.

When asked how decorating a vacation home differs from decorating a home you live in day to day, Brooke replied, "I believe that a vacation home should be able to push the limits a bit more than your primary residence.  At our beach house, I was able to incorporate punches of my favorite colors and take risks.  You want a vacation home to feel special, alive, and it should be a place you look forward to visiting."




In the dining area, located just off the kitchen, a hand painted shell motif table, relaxed woven seating, and soft aqua walls give a nod to the home's seaside location.  Petite crystal chandeliers add contrast and sparkle to the room and create a bit of drama.




The unique dining room table is not only beautiful but also large enough to accommodate Brooke's family and friends.





The dining room takes on a whole new persona when the sun sets.  Elegant wall scones, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and candlelight provide soft diffused light and add an aire of elegance to the room.




Adjacent to the dining area is a beautiful gourmet kitchen.  Crisp white cabinetry is highlighted by hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.  A large painted and distressed turquoise island adds a punch of color and provides additional work space for this family of six.






Restaurant style appliances make the kitchen a chef's dream.  And the beautiful glass tile backsplash is reminiscent of sea glass found during their walks along the beach.




Bar style seating is located in another part of the kitchen so that the four Steuart children can enjoy breakfast or an afternoon snack away from the main prep area of the center island.  This clever design allows for plenty of room and flow in the kitchen, a great idea since the kitchen is always the gathering place of any home.




Granite that mimics the ocean and sand is the perfect choice for a busy family of six.  Durable, easy to clean, and beautiful, the granite doesn't show crumbs or fingerprints.  And when you're on vacation, no one wants to be worried about those sorts of things!




Under cabinet and interior cabinet lighting provides task lighting and adds ambiance to the kitchen after dark.




The family room at Brooke's beach house is warm and welcoming.  Bold color is introduced through artwork, accessories, and furnishings.  Brooke draws inspiration from many places, books, magazines, industry websites, but often her inspiration comes from one or two special pieces she finds for each room.  "I often draw inspiration from one or two items, it may be a piece of artwork, a pillow, or even a flower whose color inspires me...from there, I can design an entire room around those key pieces," says Brooke.




Brooke is a girl after my own heart and loves finding weathered pieces of furniture and flea market finds which she pairs beautifully with more modern elements throughout the house.




Brooke uses natural materials throughout her beach house such as wicker, seagrass, and linen to create a comfortable feeling and because they are easy care.  By choosing elements which are family friendly and easy to clean, she doesn't have to spend time worrying about salt water and sand being tracked in.  "Having a big family and lots of friends visiting, I try not to worry about the outside coming in, that's why we are at the beach, to enjoy the amazing elements," Brooke adds.
 
 
 
 
But just because she has found a way to create a comfortable kid friendly vacation home doesn't mean she's willing to sacrifice style and beauty.  She still manages to make her home as pretty as it is practical through art and accessories, such as the lovely glass sculpture and coral throw pillows pictured above.
 



Creating eye catching vignettes is another wonderful way to infuse a space with personality and display cherished mementos such as books or seashells.




Brooke also believes that it's the little details that make any home special.  By tiling the risers of the stairs with beautiful glass mosaic tiles, ordinary stairs become extraordinary.  This clever idea has a high impact return for very little money.






Brooke often adds color to a room through the use of paint, such as the punch or orange in the living room.  It's a fun, bright color that reminds me of an orange Popsicle on a hot summer's day!  And by finding whimsical pieces of furniture, such as the dog coffee table, she is able to take a more formal space and add a bit of humor and the unexpected to keep it from being too stuffy.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the living spaces in Brooke Steuart's beach house and be sure to check back later this week to see more of her wonderful vacation home when I'll be showing you the bedrooms!  You won't want to miss seeing how Brooke combines classic beach elements, Balinese design, and romance to create unique and exciting rooms!

For more information about Mike B. Photography, the wonderful photographer who took the photos of Brooke Steuart's beach house, click HERE!

And to contact designer Brooke Steuart to find out how she can help you create your own dream home, click HERE!