Seaside-style homes we love in Louisville
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- Three homeowners showcase their unique beach-themed homes, bringing coastal vibes to Kentucky.
- Decor, color schemes, and even backyard construction create seaside escapes.
- From subtle coastal touches to elaborate backyard beaches, these homes offer unique relaxation and vacation vibes.
Once the summer sun arrives, all I can think about is going home to Hawaii and spending long days at the beach. Planning my annual trip has got me thinking about a few previously featured homes that boast a beachy vibe. Though they’re nowhere near an ocean, each one features enough seaside style to get anyone in the mood for a little sun-soaked serenity.
Blissfully beachy
The front door of John and Alison Cardoza’s five-bedroom abode opens to a large, coastal-themed living room outfitted with beachy décor and photos from their trips to Florida, Belize, and other seaside destinations.
“We brought our love of beach-life vacations back with us into our home,” Alison said. “We escape from a long day at work, back home in our coastal oasis.”
The Cardozas also gave the space a coordinating color scheme: calming blues and pale whites to evoke a seaside vibe.
“When we first moved in here,” Alison said, “we were attracted to the slate floors and fireplace, and we kind of have stuck with blues and coastal themes ‘cause it reminds us of all our vacations that we’ve been on.”
The coastal feel continues in the primary bathroom, with mermaid and shell decorations sprinkled throughout, and in the downstairs sunroom, which features brighter, bolder colors, but still has a beachy feel thanks to sunset art and ocean-themed accent pillows.
“We love that there’s a pool a couple of doors down and a clubhouse,” Alison added. “We wanted a sense of community for (our daughter, Alexa), where kids are riding their bikes through the neighborhood, and we feel safe and comfortable.”
Soft focus seaside style
When the owners of this craftsman house decided to transform their home into something light, bright, and fun — with a touch of coastal charm— they turned to Jordan Laws of J L Interiors for some help.
“They really like a beachy or lake house vibe,” Laws recalled, “(but) we still wanted to keep a Kentucky feel.”
In the living room, Laws introduced a touch of the coastal aesthetic with a blue ceiling above the open and airy space, which features blues, greens, and neutral tones.
“We kept the large (furniture) pieces (with) natural, wood tones,” she said. “It kind of went with their floor, (which has ) dark graining in it. … That kept with … the beach/lake house theme and gave a little bit of contrast and warmth.”
The fresh white walls, she adds, became a clean backdrop.
“We wanted to focus on everything else, and we also wanted the space to be bright and airy — because (it used to be) dark.”
Laws pulled blue and green hues into the space with pillows, lamps, and an accent chair and added custom, floor-to-ceiling drapes featuring an abstract pond print.
In the kitchen, a heron print matches the one in the entryway, while bubble-like lighting fixtures above the island offer another subtle nod to the homeowners’ coastal aesthetic.
“The glass actually has little divots all through it,” Laws explained, “so it gives you a water appearance (as well as) that reflection that you see on the ceiling.”
Crafted coast
East-coast native Ron Loughry grew up around the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. But after several years of living in Louisville, setting foot on a beach was but a distant memory.
“I came home (after work one day),” he recalled, “and I came out of my garage, and I was standing there, facing my house. It had been another 12-hour day of (many) 12-hour days, and I hadn’t been to the ocean for several years. I looked, and I saw this one little space (and I thought); I bet I could build my own beach.”
Loughry did just that — first at his Old Louisville house, then again in the Highlands home he now shares with his wife, Beth Breetz.
In addition to the three-foot-deep pit filled with 40 tons of sand, the entire back area of the house is decked out in a seaside theme. From the ocean view painted onto the garage to the sailboat mural Loughry created himself, everything about the space is set up to look like the house is in a coastal town. There is even a mini lagoon, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.
“This is definitely the best beach,” Breetz exclaimed.
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
nuts & bolts: Blissfully beachy
Owners: John and Alison Cardoza. John is the director of pre-construction at East and Westbrook Construction. Alison is a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor at Baptist East Milestone Wellness Center.
Home: This is a 5-bed, 3-bath, 4,600-square-foot, ranch-style home that was built in 1994 in the Polo Fields Golf & Country Club.
Distinctive elements: Blue-and-white mosaic whale tail, alligator bookends, and white coral on built-in shelves; dentil crown molding throughout the entire home; coffered box ceiling and slate floor in the family room; wine-barrel style tile flooring in the kitchen; large telescope and “Atlas Shrugged” oxidized metal picture in master bedroom; mermaids in the bathroom; family vacation photos throughout; hammock in sunroom; in-home gym; U of L helmet and footballs from John’s football years; handprints of Alexa’s friends, as well as movie posters and cartoon artwork in downstairs movie room; botanical wreath on the front door; fairy garden in the backyard; brightly colored reptile figures on rocks and walls.
Applause! Applause! The Cardozas would like to thank their family, who helped transform their house into a home.
nuts & bolts: Soft focus seaside style
Home: This is a three-bed, two-and-a-half bath, 1,750-square-foot craftsman home in La Grange’s Artisan Park neighborhood. It was built in 2012.
Distinctive elements: Open concept; coffee bar in foyer; electric fireplace framed in oak-toned LVP in a herringbone pattern; blue ceiling and floor-to-ceiling custom drapery in living room; granite countertops, large island, updated lighting, and dinette with back deck access in the kitchen; new furnishings and accessories throughout foyer, living room, and kitchen.
Applause! Applause! Interior design by J L Interiors; coffee bar and bench cabinets by Cornerstone Kitchen & Bath; photography by Jacob McRoberts.
nuts & bolts: Crafted coast
Owners: Rev. Ron Loughry and Beth Breetz. Loughry is a retired minister and adjunct faculty. Breetz is an attorney with Stites & Harbison.
Home: This is a 3-bed, 3-bath, 3,324-square-foot ranch home that was built in 1954 in the Cherosen Hills neighborhood in the Highlands.
Distinctive elements: Distinctive and whimsical yard art; backyard beach with ocean murals, waterfall, lagoon, deck, retractable awning, and garage; former carport renovated into beachside-inspired, four-season room with vaulted ceiling, large sliding glass doors, deck, large glass windows with retractable screens, original artwork and distinctive lighting; dining room with cove lighting, multicolored Murano glass chandelier from 2019 Italy trip, large sliding glass windows, cherry and Amish furniture, antique altar chairs from church where Loughry grew up and preached his first sermon at age 16, and built-in bookcase-lined wall that leads to four-season room; kitchen that was remodeled in 2017 and featured in Remodeled Home Tour boasts vaulted ceilings, three Velux skylights, cherry cabinets, cobalt blue backsplashes with glass-encrusted mortar, an exposed brick wall, movable Wormy Maple wood-topped island, ceiling fan from Alcott & Bentley, original artwork by Marc Villanueva, and Bosch and G.E. appliances, including gas range, two ovens, warming drawers, microwave, dishwasher, under-counter beverage cooler and ice maker; finished basement is entertaining and living space with Picasso prints, hardwood stairs, floating wood floors, built-in bookcases filled with extensive book collection, wine shelves, reclining love seats, movie poster and memorabilia-lined walls, large-screen TV, dimmable overhead lighting, large windows with cut-glass transoms, and nautical memorabilia; bonus room with cowboy theme that serves as guest bedroom and exercise space includes large windows, fireplace, and adjoining beach-themed full bath.
Applause! Applause! Redsmith Construction, who performed most of the renovations from 2010 to present; Closets by Design; The Well Dressed Window; Alcott & Bentley; Bonnycastle Appliances; Fitzgimmons Awnings; Economy Aquatic Gardens; Velux Skylights; Madison Tables; The Window & Door Store; and Sherry Powell for painting the garage mural.
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