Whether you have a waterfront cottage or you want your main residence to resemble a retreat, here are some ways to create that vacation home look and feel.
Second dwellings often focus on family, says Amy Miller Weinstein, interior designer and owner of AMW Design Studio in Birmingham, so the wish list might be different. That was the case for her client with a getaway on Little Traverse Bay that provides a special place to gather year-round.
The older structure was remodeled and reconfigured a bit. “There is always an emphasis on taking advantage of the view,” says Weinstein. “An open kitchen area lives in harmony with the outdoor patio they created. The water view definitely influenced the color scheme and vibe that they wanted.”
Weinstein introduced the blue hues her client requested in a timeless way. “Taking that as my cue, there is blue and white and a little pattern with stripes,” the designer says. Places to gather include a square table for games and meals and a small den with a metal fireplace surround. “The home turned out to be a great retreat,” she adds. “It was all done during COVID. Their boys could set up their computers and work remotely. It turned into a mixed-use solution for different reasons.”
A second-floor bonus room with chocolate-colored sofas and orange ottomans provides a cozy place to watch TV. “We eked out a lot of ceiling height in there to create a spot for the kids,” says Weinstein. “It offers a change of scenery.”
Ample storage for seasonal equipment like bikes and skis was also incorporated into their family getaway. “They have a mudroom right off the garage that is organized for all that activity,” she explains.
Weinstein says second homes offer an opportunity to collect and decorate with pieces that relate to the location. Still, she adds, “You have to be mindful of not having too many precious things in a second home with a lot of people. You don’t want guests to be overwhelmed by a space. It should be like a boutique hotel with a cool vibe.”
Planning a vacation home can be a unique experience. “We would spend the day there,” says Weinstein, who worked with Peter Ford from Evening Star Joinery in Harbor Springs. “Just like any second home, we did a lot of remote meetings with FaceTime and Zoom. It’s helpful to have a builder who is open-minded and willing to work that way. That is key for me.”
Enjoy your stay
Kathleen McGovern, who owns Kathleen McGovern Studio of Interior Design in Grosse Pointe Park, sees patterns with people who have these retreats. “A specific location has called to them and they have set their sights on having a second home there with a different level of experience from their primary residence,” she says. “But there are still commonalities like meal prep and entertaining.” Dining areas might include al fresco settings, kitchen islands with comfy stools and coffee tables for rainy day cocktails and casual fare.
The designer says guest rooms that accommodate hobbies and work-from-home spaces can become chaotic without well-planned storage. For instance, a closet can house equipment and supplies. In addition, built-ins like a Murphy bed and cabinets can be helpful solutions.
Recreational activities also need storage consideration. “Second homes are where the fun and extra stuff show up like fishing poles, life preservers, pickleball and tennis racquets, coolers and entertaining accessories,” she adds.
For these locations, McGovern recommends pieces that need minimal maintenance. “Be proactive with high-performance materials that can stand up to wet bathing suits and sandy shoes,” she says. “Environmental conditions should dictate the selections. Windows, floors, furnishings and art all need to be considered for sun resistance.”
Furnishings from another home may not work unless you are planning around those pieces. With new builds and renovations, organization is key when you meet with your architect and builder. “Ask yourself: How do I want to feel when I am there?” says McGovern. “So many people entertain in their second home, but it’s a whole different experience. Sometimes people spend the night and everybody wants to be outside. People want to enjoy their environment, so dining outdoors becomes a priority.”
In addition to working on vacation homes for clients, McGovern has her own getaway. “My experiences helped define my love of designing second houses and aided me in helping other people,” she says. For one coastal property in Florida, she worked with architect Mark Johnson remotely because of the pandemic on a 100-year-old cottage that was restored. Paul Rochon, Inc. did the custom cabinetry.
With these homes, Mark Johnson says, “As designers, we get to work in completely different contexts: our clients as beachcombers, horse farmers, etc. respond to regional architectural vernacular (wraparound porches, garden pergolas) and design with better weather for indoor/outdoor living, quality and quantity of sunlight and views of unique terrain…”
Adds McGovern: “You have an opportunity to develop a whole different experience in a second home through so many different avenues. Color is a big one and how you want your second home to feel relative to your first one. Step out a little bit and look at furnishings you never would consider. You want to be excited to get there.”
Personal destination
Jane Synnestvedt, principal for her eponymous firm in Birmingham and Jacksonville, Florida, has a condo on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville that she completely renovated. “With second homes, people want something a little more fun; they want to change it up,” she says. “If their primary home is more formal, it might be a more relaxed environment.”
People also think about aging-in-place. “That’s a discussion point from the get-go,” says the designer. “Gathering spaces are really important. People are moving away from open floor plans; they want more intimate spaces and more color. I love seeing a return to spaces that express the client.”
Her condo serves as the perfect example. “I have a lot of things I’ve collected in both homes, so it’s nice to display them in this one,” says Synnestvedt. “I do not have wallpaper in my Michigan home, but I literally have wallpaper in almost every room here. There is a lot going on with a more maximalist approach, but I love it.”
New furnishings, such as a sofa and ottoman, complement pieces the designer collected or inherited. “Most of them have stories,” she explains. Inspiration also came from the location of the stone in the primary bath that reminds her of the St. Johns River. Other additions include custom built-ins she designed and bleached white oak floors.
Her 2,000-square-foot condo lives large. “The layout is fabulous,” says Synnestvedt. “I really do love the place and I entertain a lot of overnight guests. They have privacy and river views. To me, the water is really restful.”
With second homes, she says people often turn to catalogs they think will create a warm space, but that can make them feel more like a rental than a home. Instead, the designer suggests: “Create an inviting and comfortable space that reflects your individuality.”
Jeanine Matlow writes the Smart Solutions column in Homestyle. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Design your ‘second home’ to feel like a personalized retreat
Reporting by Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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