These Retirees Redesigned This Florida Home to Fit Their Simple Lifestyle

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Name: Robyn Pope, my husband, and our labradoodle, Suka
Location: Saint Augustine, Florida
Type of home: house
Size: 1330 square feet
Years lived in: 6 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: We bought this house as a retirement home. A year later Hurricane Matthew directly affected Saint Augustine for the first time in many, many years. Our neighborhood and home were flooded and we lost mostly everything. Saint Augustine is the oldest city in the US. Its history is important and we love it here. We used the flood as an the opportunity to redesign this house for our simple lifestyle. We love the outdoors and the beach is a quick bike ride away. We incorporated natural materials throughout our home.

My husband has surfed since he was a boy and we are grandparents so that gives you a hint as to how long he’s been a water lover. Our identity is reflected on the walls and surfaces. We incorporated both local Florida artists along with many vintage finds from all over the US. We kept the palettes natural and light.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Simple, natural, happy, comfortable, and artsy

What is your favorite room and why? That’s a hard question. The only room that literally withstood the flood was the guest bath. I wallpapered above the tile last year to bring the local flora and fauna inside. It’s wonderful. I do love all of the rooms but maybe my favorite space is the living/dining space. We have a record player and when the grandkids come over they put on old albums and dance around those spaces. We don’t have to move a thing!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? A striped beach umbrella for sunny days in the backyard or beach from Sunday Supply.

Any advice for creating a home you love? When you find something you truly love, try to acquire it. Comfort is of the utmost importance for us as far as furniture goes. We seldom buy anything on the spot anymore unless it’s a piece of art or vintage find we can’t live without. Most of our spaces are filled with pieces that reflect our philosophies and whimsy. Plants, plants, and more plants! We bring them with us from coast to coast.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.