By Cindy Clay Srader
Some beach houses have very small guest bedrooms. There are a few options with these rooms as far as what type of bed you may want to use. Most people either put bunk beds or a double bed in the room. In this picture try to imagine the space in front of you as the doorway. By positioning twin beds opposite heads from each other there is much more room to walk around. If your children or grandchildren are like mine, the fact that they may have to share a room is bad enough, but having to look right at each other would be terrible! LOL. Note the beds headboard and footboard. Some of you handymen out there can reproduce these and have a beautiful room. This room is probably only 10 X 10 and every inch matters. When placing your beds always take into account where the doors and windows are located. Sometimes I wonder what builders are thinking when they do not leave wall space. Don’t be offended guys, but I really think that women have those types of things in mind a lot more than men do when building! For instance, we all want a view and having a wall of windows is wonderful, but having a narrow living room with doors on each wall makes where you put your couch a dilemma sometimes! If you are just now designing your beach house, try to mentally walk through the room and place your furniture. There is not a builder that will not move a window or a door to help make it more livable for you! Always think out of the box! Life will never be boring if you do!

“HOW TO”…Create a Masterpiece of your Fireplace

This is a project that the whole family can get involved with and have for a lifetime. This fireplace surround would be the focal point of your living room. If you notice except for the Nautilus shell at the center top and the large fan shells on the corner, any where you want to place your shells will be up to you. Part of the fun of this project is finding the shells you want to use. By purchasing a few special shells to add to the mix you will really have a thing of beauty. To start a project like this you will need some concrete backer board. It doesn’t need to be very thick but will make the solid base you will need. Use some moulding to frame the backer board so you can keep within the confines and help to finish it off. Don’t worry about the interior of the fireplace, the shells themselves with be enough of a border. You will be putting the shells on the same way you would tile. Use mastic and a trowel and start creating. It doesn’t matter how messy the kids are you can clean it up easily enough. Once you have the surround the way you want it, use white grout to fill in the spaces and help to solidify your design. The great thing about this is no two will ever be just alike! Just think how proud your children will be to say that they helped create it. JUST GO FOR IT!

I have enjoyed your emails and appreciate you reading this article. Don’t forget to send me your decorating dilemmas or photos of your finished projects. Ideas Please!!!

(This article was first published on June 3, 2013)

What is “BEACH CHIC”? A design style comprised of a combination of clean lines and organic finishes that work together to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. The color scheme is inspired by the beach and the natural environment of sun, sea and sand!

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