The Gulf Breeze Rental: Progress & Design Plan
Unexpected things come up with any type of renovation, and our Gulf Breeze rental property has been no exception. Despite decades of experience, Steve and I were admittedly a bit too optimistic about how quickly we could get it done. But just a bit — both the structure and the landscaping have put up a harder fight than we expected, pushing back our timeline by about a month.
This week, I want to share what we have been working on since the last time you saw this home, along with the design plan I have put together for countertops, cabinets, hardware, and lighting.
As a quick recap in case you’re new to this project, we bought this Gulf Breeze home with the intention of renovating it for rent. It will become a mid-term rental for traveling professionals or other guests needing a place for 3-6 months. As of January 2023, here’s how it’s going…
Improving the Home’s Structural Integrity
When I said the structure put up a fight, this is what I meant: when we began removing the old siding to reveal the sheathing, we found sheathing that was covered in dry rot. While it was tempting to turn a blind eye and gloss over these items (it’s a rental, after all), we simply couldn’t do it.
Call us old fashioned, but Steve and I will never miss an opportunity to improve a house structurally, so we decided to slow down and do this house well. Doing so will benefit the house itself and whoever lives there in the long run. Plus, paying it forward is just good manners, right?
We will always, always spend a little extra time and money to do a job well the first time. In this case, we went with a house wrap to replace the sheathing and reinstalled the windows to create a tight, weatherproof seal. I know the sheath was technically hidden from sight, but it already looks so much better, doesn’t it?
Battling the Wild Landscape
If you have ever landscaped, you know it’s hard work, but it usually doesn’t require more than a full day or two to get the yard well in hand. Not this time. The weeds and briars had had the run of the place for who knows how long, and they weren’t going without a fight! We have cleared and scraped the areas several times, but those pesky briars will not give up.
As you’ll see in the second photo, we removed all of the shrubs to allow us full access to the crawl space. As a result, the yard looks like a sandbox, but after the battle we’ve waged, I think that’s a good thing! Whether those briars are finally gone still remains to be seen…
Creating a Design Plan for the Interiors
In theory, the design plan for any home should always happen before construction begins. (More about the timing of a renovation here.) This was the case for us, but I was still wavering and wasn’t ready to share my selections last time. So, here we are.
Color Palette
Although adding color into the house is tempting, I’ve decided to create a neutral background. This is more conducive to a rental, and we can use color to add personality through furnishings, textiles, and art. (Kind of like a classic black dress—you can accessorize it in so many ways according to what you want the vibe to be.)
The walls will be painted Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. The existing bathroom and kitchen floors are salvageable and made of warm-toned tiles, and Alabaster has the perfect soft yellow undertone to complement them.
The trim will be Sherwin Williams Snowball, a clean, clear white that will give a crisp contrast to the walls and show the doors and baseboards off. We’re mixing the finish colors with black, nickel, and wood accents, creating the perfect neutral and natural-feeling foundation.
Flooring and Countertop Selections
After much thought, we decided on LVP flooring for the rest of the house. The original wood floor is there, but it would need quite a bit of refinishing. From an investment standpoint, the LVP installation is more efficient and cost-effective, and the long-term care is much easier — especially with potential renters who will have sandy feet, wet towels, and wine to pour.
The new kitchen and front bathroom countertops will be laminate. It’s a material that is super easy to care for, looks like stone, but is a fraction of the cost. We’ll use the laminate for the kitchen backsplash, as well, to make cleaning easy and add a bit of visual texture to the area. And it will all be topped off with classic white cabinets.
Timeless Lighting Selections
With only 8-foot ceilings, we have to be very strategic about light fixtures not hanging too low and blocking the views through the house. Fortunately, this actually makes choosing light fixtures a bit simpler — nothing with a long cord! The home’s lighting requirements are minimal, so I am having fun selecting an eye-catching piece at each location.
Front door and back deck
Entryway
Dining area
Bathroom vanities
That’s it for this week, but our team is very excited about the project's next phase — installation and photography. We look forward to showing you the final design when it’s done, hopefully next month!
If you’re looking to renovate your home — for your family or as a rental — we would be honored to help. As a husband-wife, General Contractor and Interior Designer team, we will guide you through each and every step of the renovation, making it easy, enjoyable, and tailored to your unique needs.
Reach out to us here to book an introductory call with us.
Warmly,
Sarah & Steve