The clues are everywhere: colorful surfboards installed like sculptures on a wall; paintings of pastel-colored lifeguard stations above a console in the living room; surfing-themed wallpaper in the guest bath, and framed prints with the words “Surf,” “Salt,” and “Sand” in the sons’ bedroom. Message received. This is a house of genuine beach lovers, and it was interior designer Kate Abt’s job to depict that love with “color, fun, and whimsy.”
“The goal for this project was joy and relaxation, to create a place to unwind after full days spent in the water,” says Abt. “This is the vacation home of a sporty family who loves to surf, so I wanted to reflect their personalities and lifestyle.”
Considering the house is in Cocoa Beach, which takes its title as the “East Coast capital of surfing” rather seriously, Abt didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “The house is right on the shore, and the ocean views make that obvious right away,” she says. “We were able to have fun with touches like the surfboards on the living room wall, some bold art here and there, and humorous wallpapers throughout the residence.”
Another defining factor in the home is Abt’s use of color. “The house was a stark white when they purchased it, and they wanted none of that,” says the designer. “All the members of the family love pink and blue, so as long as we incorporated those specific shades, they were happy.” While pink was used sparingly as an accent, blue makes multiple appearances. The exterior of the house is a subtle cerulean that mimics the sea on sunny days. The main living room’s furniture offers a dusty variation of the hue. And in the kitchen, sky-blue cabinetry demonstrates both designer and clients were game when it came to bold design choices.
In terms of furnishings, Abt kept the selections timeless and comfortable. “It’s an eclectic mix of styles that works well for the property,” she says. “And, of course, we used performance fabrics as much as possible.”
In its finished state, the residence is exactly what it needs to be: wholly representative of its sea-loving occupants.
“It was a joy to work on a property where we could be bold with color and design,” says Abt. “The family absolutely loves being here.”
Story Credits:
Text by Florian Jouin
Photography by Amy Bartlam
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