See Why a Laid-back Surf Shack’s Bathroom Is Nicknamed the ‘Banana Baño’

Name: Christina Kelley, husband Brandon, and our dog Marvin
Location: Miramar Beach, Florida
Size: 1,700 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, owned

It’s a modest beach house with an interesting layout! The main living area is all on the second floor, which you reach via a massive set of stairs running up to the front porch. We are surrounded by palm trees so our views are filled with swaying fronds out every window.

Through a collection of objects from travels abroad and affordable home furnishings we’ve created a crisp yet laid back beach house for everyone to kick their feet up and JUST CHILL… which happens to be the motto and mantra of our small business Southern Mesa Trading. My husband and I work together creating wood signs and home decor pieces for our shop and the JUST CHILL sign is our most popular to date. We get zero help in the shop from our dog Marvin but he likes to make a social media appearance every now and then.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Laid-back global surf shack

What is your favorite room and why? My Banana Baño is my absolute favorite spot in the house. It’s a tiny powder room that packs a punch from the DIY graphic painted floors to the soft watercolor wallpaper. I wanted to have one little space that was quirky and unexpected and it definitely feels like I’ve stepped into a Miami hotel when I open the bathroom door. Painting the ceiling in the bathroom black was a bold move that I second-guessed every step of the way but once it was completed I couldn’t imagine it any other way. When in doubt… paint it black.

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? If I could wiggle my nose a la “Bewitched” style and have the master bathroom renovated I would. It’s an outdated ’90s builder grade beige time capsule. Tiling is my least favorite task but I can only imagine that scraping thin set would quickly rise on the list if I had to do it right now.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I just got new towels for the guest bathroom in Egyptian cotton and they were so good I had to go back for the beach towels! Having a beach house means having a guest room that’s constantly “booked” so having great towels is a must.

Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? I think Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski would feel right at home in the Mesa Casa. We know how to just chill, we always have milk on hand for beverages, and our mud cloth print rug definitely ties the room together.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time and invest in the long term pieces. Live in the space for a while before deciding what color you want to paint and where you’re going to hang every piece of art. There’s no need to rush making major decisions. Investing in the important pieces and building rooms around them is a tactic I have used in every room. I save for the pieces that need to last and shop or thrift for the “accessory” items that add texture, color, and character. Art, textiles, and small rugs are easy to switch, change, and store away for different seasons making a space feel refreshed on a mini budget.

Thanks, Christina!

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