My Houzz: A Peaceful Florida Getaway for Michigan Snowbirds
A high-rise beachfront condo becomes a spacious and bright vacation haven with coastal style
Kelly and Mark Bogen travel from Michigan to Florida annually in search of warmer weather and beautiful beaches. After years of living in and renovating several homes in the Clearwater Beach area, the couple — she’s a gift shop owner, he’s a concrete company owner — decided to buy a condo for a better view of the ocean. “The biggest design challenge was the kitchen because it was enclosed,” Kelly says. “The sale was pending on whether or not the kitchen wall could be removed.” Once they received the go-ahead, they moved forward with their project, creating an open and bright space ideal for family vacations at the beach.
“The condo was in good condition but not my style,” Kelly says. “All of the furnishings were extremely dark, and every room had different flooring.” The couple updated the floors with a laminate that has cork underneath. The floors have the look of hardwood and add warmth to the overall space.
Entertainment cabinet: The Blue Moon Trading Co.
Entertainment cabinet: The Blue Moon Trading Co.
Kelly says the home’s location influenced her decor and color choices. “I chose to stick with a neutral color scheme so as not to compete with the view or the colors of the surrounding landscape,” she says. Most of the decor has a beach-inspired theme. “Since I own a retail boutique, I was able to furnish the condo with many items from my own shop,” she says.
Chairs: Marshalls; side table: HomeGoods
Chairs: Marshalls; side table: HomeGoods
“Since this is a second home, where we come to relax, I wanted to make sure to keep the atmosphere serene, soft and comfortable,” Kelly says.
Chair: Cindy Crawford Home Beachside Natural living room set, Rooms to Go; ottoman: West Elm
Chair: Cindy Crawford Home Beachside Natural living room set, Rooms to Go; ottoman: West Elm
Being able to open up the kitchen area to the rest of the space was a significant factor in the decision to purchase this condo. “Open spaces are extremely important to me, and when I am in the kitchen, I like to be a part of what is happening with my family outside of the kitchen,” Kelly says.
Dining room chairs: Restoration Hardware; table: The Blue Moon Trading Co.
Dining room chairs: Restoration Hardware; table: The Blue Moon Trading Co.
The lighting in this area is a DIY project. “I knew I wanted a twig chandelier above my dining room table,” she says. “I searched online, but everything I found was quite pricey. During my numerous trips, I found a garbage can made of twigs at a local hardware store, which I turned into the chandelier I wanted.”
The condo’s foyer is between the bedroom hallway and the living room. It serves as a cozy nook, with an eco-friendly bench from Kelly’s shop, So Vintage, for taking shoes on and off, and baskets for storing them.
Peace sign: HomeGoods
Peace sign: HomeGoods
The guest room is used by the couple’s adult daughters and other family members when they visit. Its warm and rustic touches lend a calm atmosphere for resting and relaxing.
Stikwood adhesive wood paneling: West Elm; side tables and light fixtures: So Vintage
Stikwood adhesive wood paneling: West Elm; side tables and light fixtures: So Vintage
The room’s neutral palette provides a counterpoint to the ocean views from the window.
The master bedroom features abundant natural light and incredible views of Clearwater’s beaches.
Tables and light fixtures: So Vintage; dresser and reclaimed mirror: Time Worn Elegance
Tables and light fixtures: So Vintage; dresser and reclaimed mirror: Time Worn Elegance
Kelly’s goal was to create a tranquil look that didn’t compete with the spectacular ocean views.
In the master bathroom, Kelly and Mark have their own vanity spaces, designated by the monogram letters on the wall.
The custom vanity was made by artisan Don Eichar and is a piece of local history. It was fashioned from an old dining table that had been made from reclaimed dock wood from Clearwater Beach. The table was cut down to fit in the space, and the excess wood was used to create towel bars.
The interior space opens onto a balcony that overlooks the beautiful beaches of Clearwater.
The view extends for miles and showcases the pluses of oceanside living.
Kelly relaxes in her living room.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Mark and Kelly Bogen use this as a second home for themselves and their adult daughters, Nikki, 30, and Brittany, 26
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Size: 1,400 square feet (130 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Year built: 1991
The Bogens removed some walls to create an airy, open living area that’s visible as soon as you enter the high-rise condo. They worked closely with local contractor Jerry Solovskoy of JDS Construction Services.
Sofa and chairs: Cindy Crawford Home Beachside Natural living room set, Rooms to Go; coffee table: custom by Don Eichar; floors: U.S. Floors; wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams