A SW Florida Design project that feel like home through layered details.

We’re wrapping up our third home redesign in Naples, Florida this month, and this one felt especially personal.

More than any project before, this home felt like a reflection of who we are, what we love, and how we want a space to feel. Grace participated more than she ever has on a design project, which made the entire process even more meaningful. And with a little encouragement from my sister, I gave myself permission to lean into a design style that felt more me than what I thought a buyer might expect.

That shift changed everything.

This project began with a pair of incredible vintage Theodore Alexander bookcases. They were one of those magical finds that instantly tell you where a room wants to go. Unique, timeless, and full of character, they brought together two things we are loving most right now: coastal Palm Beach style and sustainability. There is truly nothing that excites me more than a good thrifted find. Designing in the morning and thrifting in the afternoon? That is my kind of dream day.

From there, the details seemed to fall into place naturally. The scallops, the molding, the wainscoting — each layer felt like it belonged. These weren’t details added just to fill a space. They gave the home its personality. They helped set it apart from so many others on the market and made it feel collected rather than copied.

As much as I love a good trend, this project reminded me how rewarding it is to explore what I genuinely love — pieces that are reused, materials that age beautifully, and details that feel a little extra in the best possible way.

That brings me to the hardware, which we had way too much fun choosing. And no, it doesn’t all match. I know — scandalous. We chose brushed gold for the doors, a cool polished chrome for the bathrooms that feels like a retreat from the Florida heat, and unlacquered brass faucets and pulls that will patina beautifully over time. They feel luxurious, lived-in, and full of intention.

Those details matter to me. They are the first things I notice when I walk into a home. I look for the little choices that make a space feel grounded, layered, and connected to its surroundings.

And then there’s the tile.

While I am a huge fan of using one consistent flooring throughout a home, I just couldn’t bring myself to carry wood floors into the bathrooms down here the way I often would in the Midwest. In Southwest Florida, bathrooms should feel like a retreat. So tile it was. But if you know us, you know we are not fans of grout lines. The less grout, the better.

That decision led us to some of the most beautiful matte faux-stone tiles. And truly, they are stunning. When you walk on them, they almost feel like they’re giving you a warm, grounding hug. They have a softness to them, almost like leather, and they add that tactile element we’re always chasing in design. Because for us, texture matters just as much as appearance. The look and the feel have to work together.

In the shower, we chose fluted tiles that remind me of sand — soft, organic, and like an extension of the beach just beyond the walls. The kind of detail that makes it feel like you’re rinsing off after a long day in the sun.

It’s these little things — the curves, the shiplap, the texture, the thoughtful mix of finishes — that take a house and make it feel like home. They create something memorable. Something with soul.

In Naples, there can be a lot of sameness. Sometimes it feels like there were only three house plans and everyone just kept going. So creating spaces that feel distinct, layered, and personal matters even more. It took us a little time to fully realize that, but now we believe it’s exactly what the market is craving.

More importantly, it’s what brings us joy.

This home reminded us that the most beautiful spaces are not always the trendiest ones. They’re the ones that feel thoughtful. The ones that tell a story. The ones filled with details that age well, live well, and invite people in.

And this one, more than ever, felt like us.