A Welcome Change of Pace
When the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, the routine of everyday life tends to slow down. And that’s a welcome change of pace for Leigh Cassady when she slips away to her Florida Gulf Coast retreat.
“I grew up in Decatur and have lived in Enterprise since the 1980s,” says Leigh. “I always wanted a place at the beach since it’s only an hour-and-a-half away.”
Her dream came true in 2004 when she spotted a “For Sale” sign in front of a quirky 1940s Florida bungalow in Sunnyside, an older neighborhood in the west end of Panama City Beach. “The cottage had been fixed up just enough,” recalls Leigh. “I walked inside and immediately said, ‘I’ll take it.'”
“The only color Leigh doesn’t like is white,” laughs Paige. “I love color too so it was a fit.”
A Kaleidoscope of Color
That “just enough” renovation served Leigh well for a while. However, a few years ago it was time for an update, and she turned to Paige Schnell of Tracery Interiors in Rosemary Beach. “First we embraced the home’s funky nature and the lean-to angle of the front porch that gives the cottage a modern flare,” says Paige. A new open deck wraps around the side and back, creating generous outdoor living spaces. A regulation-sized ping-pong table doubles as a gracious setting for alfresco dining.
Next came a kaleidoscope of color starting with Leigh’s favorite, an eye-catching shade of coral for the exterior with weather-resistant fabrics and furnishings in turquoise, royal blue, and lime green. For continuity inside, a floral palm wallpaper in coral enlivens the main living spaces.
Leigh laughs that neither she nor Paige are afraid of color, so they confidently chose light green kitchen cabinets to complement the coral. “They remind one of pistachio ice cream, which is such a happy summer color for a beach house,” says Paige.
No Right or Wrong Way
Small rooms didn’t deter this homeowner from making a big impact. “A lot of people avoid dark colors and big patterns in small rooms, but I actually think they can give an illusion of spaciousness,” Leigh says. In both bathrooms and bedrooms, Leigh and Paige started with an exuberant wallpaper to set the aesthetic. “We took the wallpaper with us to the tile showroom to see what jumped out,” Paige says.
Since there’s no right way or wrong way to decorate a vacation home, it’s the spirit and passion that drive the effort. Leigh and Paige have created a home that melds comfort and creativity, sentiment and sensibilities, all the while reveling in the colorful flavors of old Florida.
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Interior Design: Paige Schnell and Denae Sisler London of Tracery, Rosemary Beach, Florida; traceryInteriors.com
