Meet our newest project:
This announcement may (or may not?) come as a surprise, but it has been months in the making. We started actively searching (and putting in offers) on houses in January and it has been a rollercoaster ride with this crazy market. But everything happens for a reason! I couldn’t be happier about where we ended up—we officially closed on the property April 19th and renovations are already underway.
The home was built in 2008 (which means less chances of unwanted surprises and repairs, yay!) and we purchased it as a cosmetic “flip” from the second owner. It’s a spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bath with ~2450 square feet and two en-suites. The biggest selling point for me was that it’s near our home, which means we won’t have a long commute (I’ve experienced longer-distance renovations twice and it makes everything much more challenging!)
The plan is to turn the property into a vacation rental (if you’re new here, we also have the Riverside Retreat and Poolside Palms) and it will sleep up to 14 guests after we add a fourth bedroom. This will be a complete renovation and we’ll be DIYing as much of it as possible, so I’m expecting it to take us at least a year. Here’s the floor plan (after the fourth bedroom addition):
I’m embracing the Spanish-style architecture but adding in my own unique flair. I’ve been obsessing over this design style for a long time and finally have the opportunity to bring my ideas to life! Picture Amber Interiors meets Moroccan riad meets colorful Mediterranean with a taste of Florida:
via Amber Interiors 
via Casa Lecanda 
via Savvy Interiors 
via Intimate Living Interiors
I’ve spent hours upon hours saving inspiration to a dedicated board on Pinterest, if you’re curious to get a sense of my vision. While I plan to stay within these general styles, each room will have its own look and vibe (similar to the Riverside Retreat).
Without further ado, let’s take a tour and I’ll share a few ideas and plans I have for each space:
Jump to:
Front + backyard
There’s no mistaking this distinct Spanish/mediterranean influence of the exterior, and I’ll be adding even more of those details to enhance the experience.
The biggest transformation and largest chunk of our budget will be spent in the backyard.
We plan to add a pool, decking, a pergola, pavers and gravel, grill, tile on the patio, a new fence and lush greenery.
This backyard oasis will be the main attraction for guests, so it has to be a show stopper and that requires a little splurging.
Dining room
This is the first room you see when you walk in the front door, to your left. I’ll hang a large statement chandelier and two dining tables to seat 12-14 guests. One of my favorite features of this home is the vaulted ceiling in the main living space.
My least favorite? The obnoxious overly-textured walls. Skim coating the entire house is not an expense we can justify, so it is what it is.
Kitchen
Oh man, this before is pretty bad. Nothing like adding two partial walls in an open room with a vaulted ceiling.
Fortunately, these walls and everything in it are now gone and we have a blank slate to work with.
The focal point of the kitchen will be an extra long custom range hood enclosure (which we’ll DIY) and an island with additional seating.
Living Room
There won’t be a lot of space to work with in here after we add the kitchen island, but the big change in here will be a plaster-style built in fireplace we plan to DIY.
The living room/kitchen/dining room will be open to each other and form one big “great room”, and the most dramatic change will be dark wood beams and planks covering the ceiling. We plan to tackle this ourselves and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the most intense and longest and possibly most regretted DIY of our lives.
Bedroom 4
This area is currently unused/open space when you walk into the house on the right side (across from the dining room). It’s the perfect spot to add a small fourth bedroom—just large enough for two twin trundle beds against the wall.
Bedroom 1
This is the largest bedroom, measuring 16’5” x 16’11”. It has an entrance to the patio, a large walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. It also has this super awkward off-center window slit above where the bed will go. What on earth am I supposed to do with that?! Replacing the windows is most definitely not in the budget, so I’ll have to come up with a budget solution. Any ideas?
The other dilemma is this octagonal tray ceiling, found in all three bedrooms. I can’t decide how I feel about this, and I’m not sure if I want to leave it as is. Whatever we do, it has to be budget friendly and DIY-able. Please give me all your suggestions!
Ensuite Bathroom 1
This is a pretty large bathroom, with a separate toilet room and enclosed shower.
There is so much potential here, but it would add up quickly to gut everything and start from scratch, so we will have to work with the existing floorpan (including another dang skinny window).
Bedroom 2
This is the second largest bedroom, measuring 15’8” by 13’8”. It has a large walk-in closet and ensuite.
It also has an unnecessary door that leads to the side of the house and is stuck shut. I would love to get rid of it but I don’t think removing it and patching the wall is in the budget.
This room unfortunately has no windows/natural lighting, and it also has the octaganal tray ceiling.
Ensuite Bathroom 2
A decent sized bathroom with another enclosed shower (and another unfortunate window slit).
No plans as of now to change the floorpan, but sometimes I get carried away with my big ideas so we shall see…
Bedroom 3
This is the smaller of the three main bedrooms, but still a decent size at ~13.5 x 12.5’. Fortunately, the ceilings in this house are 9’4” so that makes everything feel more spacious.
The biggest challenge in this room is that awkward off-center window that is way too low (the 4th bedroom and dining room have the same window issue).
Bathroom 3
Your typical bathroom size and layout. Minus that dang window slit that follows me everywhere!
Laundry Room
This space will likely end up as the forgotten child. I don’t think it’s worth dedicating a lot of time and budget towards (heck, we still have the subfloor in our own laundry room!) so who knows what will become of it.
So, what do you think?! We certainly have our work cut out for us with this one! I’m honestly just as excited about this renovation as I was when we built our own home. I have so many fun projects lined up and this is a chance to really get creative and experiment with new ideas. I also want your input! We have a big blank canvas to work with and so many possibilities. This project also presents new design challenges I’ve never faced, and I’d love to hear your suggestions. Here are a few questions that are top of mind right now…
- If you were staying as a group of 14, would you rather have a sleeper sofa in the living room and 2 of the 4 bedrooms sleep one couple each, or sleeper sofas in the two ensuite bedrooms and only one bedroom that sleeps two?
- DIY ideas for the tray ceilings in the bedrooms?
- What would you do with the arched windows that are off center and too low, and the off center skinny window in Bedroom 1?
- What should we name this place? I love alliterations (i.e. Riverside Retreat, Poolside Palms) and want to stick with the Spanish/Mediterranean theme. Currently entertaining Hidden Hacienda or Hacienda Hideaway… any others?
If anyone comes up with the winning name or a genius problem-solving idea, there will be a reward involved ?
What’s first on the to-do list? So far we’ve removed the flooring throughout the entire house (both the laminate and original tile underneath), completely demo’d the kitchen, and Lucas is finishing the new bedroom framing.
I’m anxious to share allll the details with you in the coming months! Get ready for a whole lotta room design plans, new DIY projects, product sourcing and budget breakdowns.
Next week I’ll be sharing the budget-friendly high end dupes I’ve been sourcing for the house. You can also take a tour of our current progress tomorrow in my Instagram stories, so make sure you’re following me there for all of the behind the scenes action. A very happy May to everyone!
RJ says
The rough texture on the walls could be sanded down to a smoother finish. It won’t be a smooth wall finish, but a less obvious texture. It’s a lot of work but if the texture bothers enough, I guess it’s worth it! We have a drywall company and have people ask for smooth wall finish until they are given the price. This can be a cheaper alternative.
Jenna Sue says
Ah thanks for the tip! That would probably be easier than skim coating or covering it in plaster. I’m hoping a flat paint will help minimize the look.
Lisa Beason says
Your new rental home will be a spanish beauty ~ do you like adding spanish words “bien , Sol, casa to your title or visit villa ~ viva villa ~
Jenna Sue says
I love Villa too! But not as many V words to go with it hah
Suzanne says
We have also traveled with other couples and prefer two primary suites. And I agree with another comment that I would not stay in a bedroom without a window nor would I put my kids in there so this would really read to me like a 3 bedroom home. Good luck and can’t wait to follow along!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Suzanne!
Amber says
1. Instead of a pull-out sofa in the living room have you looked at the club chairs that pull out to twin beds? Might be a nice option in the bedrooms. They can be a nice sitting/reading area if not needed or great for kids to stay with their parents too. And I think built-in bunk beds would be awesome in that 4th bedroom.
2. I love the idea of bead board or paneling on the tray ceilings that drops down and then maybe a wall paper or stencil (like from your patio) painting for inset part. The stencil place has some great Moroccan patterns.
Excited to follow along!
Jenna Sue says
I forgot about those chairs, thanks for the reminder Amber! Excited to see how it all unfolds 🙂
Jscottfitzgerald says
Oh Jenna, this is so exciting! Have you ever shared info on how to rent/stay at your properties?
Besides the range area, are you planing to etch out any doorways like your home, with a Moroccan-style to echo the theme throughout? I love a good arch and love your notched out entries.
To answer some of your q’s:
– sleeper sofa in the living room and bedrooms to accommodate 1-2 couples. A rattan daybed (that boho Moroccan aesthetic) and inflatable mattress option would be divine
– tray ceilings: bold colors like gold
– arched windows: is there the option of raising them, filling the gap, and reusing the same window? If not I think furniture would cover it well so that money could be spent on more functional and pretty things.
– have you seen Studio DIY’s sun tunnels? That would be a great idea for the spaces without windows!! You might want to think about closing the slit windows and installing those instead.
– check out pools by Young House Love (love the aquamarine she’s going for) and Julia Berolzheimer’s pool and stenciled floor.
– Hidden Hacienda- I’m a sucker for alliteration too!!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you for your input Jacqueline! Lots of great ideas to consider 🙂
Justine Lemmon says
Pull out sofa for kids, I wouldn’t bother with a fireplace, fit pit outside is better investment.
I would drywall over the tray ceilings, they will never look right with style feel of the house.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Justine!
Katy says
Love it! Congrats! For the slit windows, why not make it part of a feature and do long shelves the same width as the window below and above. And then add decor.
And I’d rather have the sleeper sofa in the living room! Give the couples privacy!
For the tray ceiling. Maybe find a fun Spanish tile to line the vertical portion. Kind of like Spanish steps with tiles at the riser. Again, turn the eye sore into a unique feature!
Hope this helps! And can’t wait to see what you furnish with!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks so much Katy!
Kelly says
Can’t wait to see you transform this one! For the tray ceilings, DIY Playbook and Thrifty Decor Chick both have great ideas on their blogs on how they turned their ceilings into the main feature of the room.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Kelly! I saw Casey’s DIY stencil, it turned out really cool 😀
Lindsey Graves says
I’m so excited for you guys! I basically love everything you guys do!
I’ve seen beadboard cut to the size of the drop ceiling pieces and that turned out nice, but I don’t really know of that’s mediterranean.
For the room with the weird window, I’d put curtains across the whole wall and blackout curtains over the window so no one will ever know you have a weird window situation.
I had to do that for two of my clients and it works like a charm and is a nice texture element And focal wall behind the bed!
You could also make a giant canvas/painting and center it on the wall over the window!
I can’t remember the other questions, but I’m sure I could help brainstorm if you’re stuck.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks so much Lindsey!
Amanda says
I prefer two rooms sleep one couple and have sleeper sofas.
I would add wood beam floating shelves to the wall with the off set window, the window can be turned into stain glass or have a few pieces arranged around, in front.
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Amanda!
Alexandra says
This may be a slightly weird suggestion for the window slit in the master bedroom… but what about a really unique largeish painting or art piece that you could center above the bed, but over the window. You could create something that would allow the light to filter through it (have it made with thin paper, or have openings somewhere around the edge of the art, etc. or have it be opaque so nothing filters through but either way it would hide the window. I was thinking something that would allow some light to filter through but would hide the window shape so you don’t completely lose the natural light source. Told you weird suggestion but I think something could be made!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Alexandra! Not weird at all — that was my original thought as well, a large piece of art to block the window. I’d be able to DIY it too and save some $$!
Kathy says
Congratulations this is a great home. For the tray ceilings, why not carry the beam theme into the bedrooms. You could have beams from 4 exterior points meet in the middle, 8 beams if you think the room could handle it, trim out the rest of the interior of the tray in the same color as the beam, and if you think the room could take it, also trim out the room. From the middle of the tray off of the beams
you could then hang the ceiling fan or chandelier.
For the low windows, I’d try to create some type of window seat, maybe even include storage.
Cannot wait to watch the transformation.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Kathy! Wood beams spanning out from the center was my first thought. There are just so many obstacles with the lights and AC vents that would all have to be moved!
Lexi says
Wow! Such a beautiful house and canvas but with some odd design flaws.. meaning the windows. In the showers, I’d just cover up. In the rooms, if it’s not the only window, cover up. If it is, do really cool window treatments? A YouTuber named Jaclyn Hill did a tour of her house and in one bedroom she wanted moody vibes so she blocked off the window with curtains and hung artwork over it. It sounds odd but it looked really cool. The really low window.. can you just make it smaller so it’s not so awkwardly low or is that not possible?
I think the ceiling shapes can be really cool focal points. What if on one you did wood beams and another you did wallpaper of some Spanish artwork or design.
No matter what I think add a living room sleeper sofa. I do Airbnb’s with my family all the time and someone always ends up sleeping on the couch because room arrangements can get complicated.
Also definitely name the Hacienda Hideaway!
Elizabeth says
I’m so excited to watch this transformation, you guys ALWAYS knock everything out of the park!!! Here are my humble opinions to your questions:
1. Definitely make 2 of the 4 rooms to sleep one couple each.
2 & 3. What if you do a drop ceiling angled from the center of the room towards the wall with the window so the window appears more centered.
4. I vote Hacienda Hideaway! 🙂
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Elizabeth!
Alyson Bird says
Fun stuff. I know this was not on the list but is there anyway to cheaply make the arched doors a true arch without the square edges. I think it would add a ton of “Amberesque” vibes. I love the idea of a large gorgeous vintage rug over the slot windows too. I think someone already mentioned that. Do bedrooms not have to have a 24″ egress by law in Florida? We cannot get away with windows this size in Tennessee. Cannot wait to watch the process.
Karyn says
I have a friend who travels with her extended family. Her family of 4, sister’s family of 5, cousin’s family of 4 and her two parents. The kids are 5-16. They have enjoyed places with two sets of bunk beds in one room, because the cousins can sleep together. Also two double beds instead of a queen for her cousin’s family with the only girls. They like a sleeper sofa in the living room. Her brother-in-law is 6’5”, so a room with a king bed is always a plus. Hope this helps. Cannot wait to see what you decide. Peace!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Karyn! We plan to have two twin trundles in the 4th bedroom which should be perfect for kiddos. And two kings in the two largest rooms. I think it will be a great setup for a large family!