“Down at the beach, you really want to live.” Fully embracing color, pattern, and texture—and mixing these unapologetically—is in the DNA of designer Vern Yip. Purchasing a vacation home for his family in Rosemary Beach, Florida, was not going to shift this philosophy. If anything, surrounded by a sea of all-white bungalows, the Atlanta-based designer was going to embrace maximalism even more: “I wanted this home to reflect who we are as a family, multicultural and biracial, and our -heritage, while also thinking about life at the beach.”
With its patterned drapes and trim accents, this well-dressed interior has a certain formality, but there’s an understated practicality to the look. Yip outfitted the main spaces in materials that can handle the inevitable sandy feet and rings from ice-cold, -condensation-covered beverages. Nearly all the fabric in the home is from the designer’s Vern Yip for Trend (a division of Fabricut) line, and much of the fabric is performance as well. For livability, the rugs are Stainmaster. The coffee and dining tables by Clay Aronson of Aronson Woodworks have a patented Claize finish that fully protects the surfaces. “We don’t have any coasters in this house,” says Yip. “I’m not worried about it at all.”
Before
The cement staircase, original to the home, is by nature low-maintenance. “Most people take off their flip-flops when they come in,” Yip explains, “and these stairs always stay nice and cool,” requiring little more than a sweep or quick vacuum. Even the kitchen is a no-freak-out zone, with Cambria quartz countertops that can handle “salsa, ketchup, or a red wine spill.”
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Joyful memories spring up in all the details: Yip drew inspiration for the palette in the main living area from a Jan Kasprzycki painting, given to him when he was 10 years old and living in Hawaii. The scene is of cows in Maui, reflecting the environment he remembers best. Those notes of turquoise blue, sunset orange, mustardy yellow, and hits of palm green are woven throughout the open room. A Chinese rosewood table that Yip inherited after his mother passed away sits by an armchair, another bright spark from his childhood. “Seeing it makes me feel like I still have her with me,” says Yip. What could be better for a family home?
Living Room
For his family’s vacation home in Rosemary Beach, Florida, designer Vern Yip showcased a favorite pattern from Vern Yip for Trend on the drapery and pillows, with the Chinese dragon in an abundance of flowers. Seating: Fabricut. Upholstery, trim, and wallcovering: Vern Yip for Trend. Coffee table: Aronson Woodworks. Rug: Milliken. Lamps: Safavieh. Painting: Jan Kasprzycki.
Staircase
Originally dark green, it’s now painted white with a black “runner” down the middle. As the staircase is cantilevered over the side of the house, turquoise glass insets glow with natural light by day, while LEDs along one wall lead the way at night.
Porch
When it rains, Yip’s husband, Craig Koch, whips up gourmet popcorn and an intense family Scrabble tournament begins. From left: Craig Koch; the couple’s daughter, Vera Koch-Yip; Vern Yip; and their son, Gavin Koch-Yip.
Kitchen
The home’s original cabinetry was painted a happy blue, while easy-to-clean quartz countertops glitter like sand. Cabinetry paint: Cruising, Sherwin-Williams. Countertop: Cambria. Light: Stonegate by AFX. Appliances: Samsung.
Dining Area
A custom table by Aronson Woodworks is perfect for dinnertime and game night (often one after the other). Dining chairs: Fabricut. Chair fabric, drapery fabric and wallcovering: Vern Yip for Trend. Light: Stonegate by AFX.
Primary Bedroom
A Cambria quartz desktop suits the sophisticated mood, but “doesn’t ever require resealing, reconditioning, or polishing,” says Yip. Bedding and drapery fabrics: Vern Yip for Trend. Lamp: RH.
Sleepover Room
“Kids always like a loft,” says Yip, “and one of my favorite color combinations is blue and orange.” Paints: Alabaster (white) and Commodore (navy), both Sherwin-Williams. Shade fabric: Vern Yip for Trend. Bedding: C&F Home. Sconces: Circa Lighting. Chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Rug: Milliken.
Guest Bedroom
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