A Beach House So Pretty It’s Hard to Believe It’s a Rental

Name: Ashley, my husband, our three-year-old son Don and two dogs (Derek and Lucy)
Location: Miami, Florida
Size: 2,000 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, renting

My name is Ashley [of At Home With Ashley] and I live in this rental home with my husband Preston and our 3-year-old son, Don. We have two dogs (both are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels). We recently moved here from Utah and chose this rental home for the perfect blank slate it is (you’ve got to love a white kitchen, white walls, and wood tile floors). Plus, it is biking distance to the beach so we go a few times a week to play in the waves and sand.

What is your favorite room and why? Hands down, my favorite room is the great room. It gets the most gorgeous light and I love spending the morning in that room. The landlord used to have super dark furniture in the home that felt heavy and looming. I added in all lighter items—wicker and pastel colors. It feels light and bright and happy—just how I like it!

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Girly Glam meets Coastal

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? The back door to the pool and patio is located in the master bedroom. Which means when we have guests over, everyone ends up going through my room to go outside. I’d love to wave a magic wand and have that door located in a hallway!

Any advice for creating a home you love? First of all, when designing your house, don’t worry about what anyone (outside of the people who live there) thinks. Trying to please everyone means you’ll be living in a watered down version of your dream. If you love a color, go for it! When I first started adding pink to my home, so many people thought I was crazy, but it is a beautifully soft color to live with. People see pictures of my home now and call it a “dollhouse”—I love that!

My last advice is that it is worth it to create a home you love. If you have a tight budget or will only be living somewhere temporarily, it is still important to have a home that inspires you. Your home is your launching pad for life—make it yours!

This house has been such a joy for me to decorate! It definitely helps that we rented a home with good bones (lots of light, white walls, and wood tile floors). In six months we’ve mostly redecorated it—from adding curtains to laying rugs. It’s been fun to use some coastal elements since we’re from Utah and have never lived by the beach. Mostly it’s been great bonding with my family in a home so far from our family.

Thanks, Ashley !

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