Bring Vacation Living to Your Everyday Home

Hopefully, your summer has started off with lots of relaxation and some serious vacation vibes! As we look towards our Michigan summer vacation in early August, the allure of northern Michigan's summer design influence fills our minds. We're drawing inspiration from some of our favorite designers, such as Cameron Ruppert and Summer Thornton, who have both recently designed stunning homes in Michigan. And from a couple of our favorite design books that perfectly capture the essence of vacation including Summer Thornton’s Wonderland, and Ashley Whittaker's The Well-Loved House. Every day should feel like a vacation, or at least bring some of that joy home!

This summer, our plans include visiting family in Traverse City, Harbor Springs, and Mackinac Island. We're particularly excited about our stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe on the island for a few days. Inspired by the beautiful, warm days and daydreams of vacation life, I've curated a vacation home mood board influenced by the best vacations, with a touch of bohemian design and coastal/lake living. Someday, we'll find just the right place to bring this scheme to life:

Vacation Home Inspiration Scheme

Primary Bedroom

For the Primary Suite Bedroom, we envision a beautiful Penny Morrison Magda Textile in pink and green, draping around a four-poster canopy bed with an antique suzani quilt. The walls will be adorned with a gorgeous natural Twenty 2 Grasscloth, Japanese Paperweave, complemented by bright white trim throughout. High gloss wood floors painted in Sherwin Williams Gray Area 7052, a warm taupe gray, will complete the look.

Primary Bathroom

In the bathroom, we’ve paired lovely green 3x6 subway tiles lining each wall with a taupe penny tile for the floor. Polished nickel plumbing fixtures will enhance the double shower, and a custom double vanity with bamboo pulls from Modern Matter and polished nickel hammered sinks will add a slightly cool, sophisticated touch.

Living and Dining Area

The living room will feature a beautiful custom sectional upholstered in Tulu Textiles' Inez, a deep blue floral pattern. Complementing pillows in silk Lucille ikat and a large ottoman in Sein and Co Sunbrella, Oro Powder, will add comfort and style. An indoor/outdoor Fibreworks rug and walls lined with gorgeous wood wallpaper from Parete in a bleached white finish will complete the coastal/lake vibe.

Kitchen and Entry

The kitchen and entry floors will be tiled with authentic black textured terracotta 3x5 inch picket tiles, providing a delightful feel underfoot on hot summer days. Limed oak cabinetry, white 2x10 terracotta subway tile backsplash, and walls will add a fresh, clean look. Light gray marble countertops, Hwang Bishop Barnacle Pendants in deep blue Montauk over the island, and classic Serena and Lily Balboa Counter Stools will make the kitchen a perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee in paradise.

Make it Happen! 

I hope this inspires you to find beauty in your summer vacation and bring some of that joy back home to your interiors. If you'd like to make this vision a reality, we're here to help you pull it all together! And remember, we're always ready to head back home to Michigan to design vacation homes, too!

SEE ALSO: Friday Nights at Home in Alexandria

Kristin Try

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Kristin has called Alexandria home for the past 23 years and fell in love with the small-town feel, diverse and interesting people, and walking the Mount Vernon Trail and streets of Alexandria. She is constantly inspired by the historic and old homes all around our city, the thriving small businesses and boutiques, and endless opportunities the area has to offer.

After spending several years in government affairs, Kristin took an opportunity to explore her love of art and design. She launched her business in 2015 and now dreams of creating an Alexandria-focused boutique design build firm with all women leadership.

Kristin loves spending time at home with her three active and loving girls, do-it-all husband, and sweet dog, Duke. Her home is her art and design lab where she is always tinkering with a design project, cooking up a healthy recipe while sipping a good wine or coffee, reading the latest and greatest leadership book, and dreaming of the next travel adventure.

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