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Refreshing Your Vacation Home: Why Elevated Design Matters in Your Retreat
- Robin Heard
- May 6
- 3 min read
There’s a distinct kind of joy that comes from arriving at your vacation home—the calm that sets in, the rituals of unwinding, the anticipation of the shared memories you’ll make with the people closest to you. But for that kind of rest to truly take hold, the space itself has to rise to the occasion. It needs to support your experience on every level: emotionally, physically, and aesthetically.
As an interior designer, I believe your vacation home should never feel like an afterthought. Just like your primary home, when your vacation surroundings restore you, that’s when you know you’ve found a true retreat.
Yet, far too often, I see secondary homes become repositories for whatever doesn’t quite fit in the primary residence. A chair that’s too small. Sub par linens. Art that’s just “fine.”
When you treat a home—especially one that’s meant to offer restoration and respite—as a place to house cast-offs and quick-fix selections, your entire experience of the home will suffer in the long run.
Whether your retreat is a wine country property, a beach house on the coast, or a mountain home, the goal should always be the same: To create a space that feels like an extension of your family—not a rental, not a short-term place to stay, and certainly not a storage unit for dated or less-than-ideal furnishings and decor.
Design That Reflects and Restores
Unlike rentals that need to accommodate a revolving door of vacationing strangers, your second home is for you. For family. For friends who feel like family. It should feel as personal, layered, and beautifully considered as your primary home—never generic or commercial. That means quality materials and thoughtful finishes, along with textiles and furnishings that look and feel every bit as luxurious and lasting as those in your main home.
I’m not talking about spending money frivolously. I’m talking about being intentional with what you put in your vacation home because if you aren’t, you’ll notice. A rug that sheds, bookshelves that sag, or flooring that warps over time will chip away at your experience. You deserve a retreat that can stand up to time and the elements—sand, salt, snow, or slush—without sacrificing aesthetics or comfort.
Elevating the Everyday (Even in a Second–or Third–Home)
Whether you visit for a few weekends each season or spend your entire summer there, every detail needs to work for you–from ample mudroom storage and fully stocked guest rooms to a kitchen designed for the way you cook–so nothing interferes with your enjoyment of the space.
When we’re working with clients across Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Stinson Beach, Lake Tahoe, and beyond to craft vacation homes that are equal parts luxurious and livable, we focus on natural materials that age beautifully, quality furnishings, a thoughtful curation of original artwork, and unique accessories in lieu of anything mass-produced.
The idea is to make every selection with intention, leaning on what truly inspires the client rather than merely relying on what’s trending at the moment
Sometimes that also means updating the layout to improve flow, renovating a tired bathroom, or giving the kitchen a modern refresh. Other times, it means adding architectural elements like wood beams or stair railings. Often, it means replacing dated lighting and window coverings to set the tone for the entire home.
Any way you slice it, creating an elevated, comfortable retreat is never just a matter of tossing in a few new throw pillows and hoping for the best.
Vacation Homes Deserve Vision, Too
Designing or updating a vacation home to be a timeless, personal sanctuary takes vision—especially when you're remote. That’s where our expertise comes in. From concept to completion, my team and I lead every aspect of your vacation home project so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying it.
So on your next visit to your vacation home, while you’re sipping wine on the deck or curling up by the fire, take a moment to really feel into the space. Does it reflect your sensibilities and aspirations? Does it support the way you want to vacation?
Most importantly, does it restore you the way it should? If not, maybe it’s time to consider a refresh.
Vacation homes evolve just as we do. Our needs, our tastes, and our daily rituals change. Your second home should support that evolution and invite you to sink into the luxury of being truly at home, even when you’re away.
If it’s time to revisit what your vacation home could be, we’d love to help you reimagine it.
Your Home. Your Sanctuary. Even Away From Home.
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