May I ask where you found the blue striped pillow in the first photo? Thanks!!

Kitchen seems fine to me.... a dishwasher might be nice.but not really necessary. I didn't have one for years, and now that I do have, rarely use it. I like the kitchen tile, think butcher block would look too heavy. What I would ask to change immediately is the finish on the wood surrounding the counter, which doesn't seem to go with anything in the rest of the house no matter whose style of decoration is imposed on it. Wouldn't it be SO much nicer in a pale driftwood grey ? Surely a landlord would let you do that. Wouldn't be difficult and would improve the place enormously.

Can I ask what paint color you used on your door? I've been looking for a bold orange like that for mine!

I like the kitty that matches the bedroom. I second the request for the door paint color!

What a gorgeous house! I love the pared-down aesthetic that came of their temporary living arrangement. However, that medicine cabinet is a little TOO pared down. Where is all their stuff??

Very serene. I love the candle holders on the dining table. Can I request a source for that?

It's cute I like the feel of it.Hope you will show us your house when it's all done.

This house tour is up there in my top five! I absolutely love it. I started getting very excited when I saw the Coastal Living magazines(which I also subscribe to) and the Beach Decor books. White beachy themed homes just look so crisp and clean and fresh. Too few of them to be seen here on AT. I could talk about specific things I liked, but there are too many of them. I even love the doorknob shot.

I am glad that your home does not look like an Ikea catalog. Great stuff.

I guess I still had a few more comments to add. First, I agree with the renter that butcher block counters would be great in the kitchen. Also, love the finish you did on the mirror. I feel the same way about ceiling fans-maybe a white wash would help them look better! I too am a huge fan of antiques and I love the chair in the living room.

With a place like you are in, it's worth it to be more cramped.

Lovely and relaxing space. The kitchen, fireplace and porch are my favorite elements.

Lovely. When can I come and visit?

So simple/airy- love it! I need to know more about that bookcase in the living room, is it a barrister bookcase? Where is it from?

I love the mirror - what did you use to give it a zinc finish?

It is such a pretty place - too bad it is only temporary. Are you sure you don't want to stay - downsizing by force just might become a full-time way of life!

The pictures are repeated with the only change being a close up of say...a pillow or better yet, a door knob? The bathroom shelves show little in the way of what utilitarian items would really be necessary for every day use in such a small space. I guess a person able to rent a space while renovating their other space can afford to keep nothing of importance on their shelves. This is not real life as most folks know it.

I agree with Omoriala that it's pretty and so fresh, but really, where is their STUFF?

I found this to be more of a 'what I've decorted the rental with' rather than a house tour.
I do think it's cool that they can afford to rent a place while their re-modeling is going on.

"I agree with Omoriala that it's pretty and so fresh, but really, where is their STUFF?"

I would guess that all of their stuff is back at their primary house, stacked up in a room that isn't being renovated.

Rob and Val obviously have great taste, to make a rental look this good. The medicine cabinet is fun (where do those pills come from?) and the whole place feels fresh and relaxed... just as a vacation house should.

What's up with the "Post Pillow"? Love that. Great house.

:) I love the pal être especially the red door. It says welcome home:):):):)

Grew up on the island- and LOVE this house!

I like the way you've decorated your rental home.

It's just a rental for one year and you're returning to your own renovated home, so don't spend any(more) money fixing what you don't like. Save it for decorating your newly renovated spaces. With these home projects you never know what may come up. Goodluck!

i guess with an "in between" place like this i just would stay and forget the "main" house … ;-)

I smiled contentedly all the way through these photos.

wow...I love this place. It really speaks to my inner "beach bum/island girl". The funny thing is, I was admiring that slim aarons shot and thought wow that really looks like Nassau (where I am from) and sure enough after a bit of investigation on google it was taken in the Nassau harbour. Very cool.

Absolutely gorgeous, but I have to agree, where is everything? Everyday items like kleenex?

Blandwagon, the pill packs are from Target.

@Thera and others who wonder where everything is located...I don't know about you, but if I'm taking photos of my home, I hide the tissues and extra toilet paper. This is a temporary situation, so their stuff is obviously in the part of their permanent home that isn't being renovated.

Totally my sytle... slightly rustic...white washed...vintage...inviting! love it!

I could live here happily, till the end of my days.

I would like to know more about the zinc finish on the mirror too...how was that achieved?
Adorable house, I love the door and agree with PI that the owners probably hid their stuff away, I know I would if I was giving a house tour! ;)

Hi all, this is Valerie and just wanted to answer your questions. Thanks for so many nice comments. We feel really lucky to be here on Balboa Island and are enjoying our stay at the beach cottage. We tried to furnish the space entirely with things we already owned as we know it's not permanent. The blue striped pillows? Pottery Barn summer 2011-The door color? don't know because the owners painted it-it's a true fire engine red in person, the lawyers book case in the living room? An antique which I'd had in pieces in storage for 25 years. I finally decided to have replacement parts/glass made and have it refinished. Love the way it turned out. Similar thing with the antique chair. My husband paid $10 for it 30 years ago and it's been recovered as often as my mood changed. The two white candleholders? From an "estate" sale, ok, a garage sale. They are beautiful in person. I spray painted the mirror silver and then applied Rub and Buff in pewter (available on Amazon). It has wax in it so gives it a less painted look. I couldn't resist the "post" pillow as I inherited the Balboa Island post office building from my grandparents who built it in 1954. And lastly, where's our stuff? I have to say for a small house, there is a good amount of storage space. We have everything we need here but it's just put away. I don't like clutter. We have a vanity in the bathroom so unless you snoop, you won't see our kleenex, toilet paper or psych drugs! Whew, hope that answers all the questions. Valerie

I like the look of the mismatched wooden chairs. I was oblivious to fhe fact that something from Restoration Hardware could look so stylish.

I've been to Balboa Island and I could live there in a tar-paper shack! This house is a perfect complement to the lifestyle and ambiance of the place- simple,clean and bright. I agree with the person who commented on the wood finish in the kitchen, but I am relatively certain that renters would not want to invest the amount of money it would take to re-do that wall-especially not for one year.

there is honesty floating, purity living and Godliness showing in this residence.

There's almost nothing I don't LOVE here. I HAVE to find those white hurricanes on the dining table!! Can anyone source some like that?

What a beautiful and calm place to call home