Interior designer Bunny Hall and her interior design company, The Perfect Plan, have served the Northwest Florida Panhandle well. Over the years the company has received numerous awards and recognition for its work and was nominated by Best in Destin for Best Interior Design Firm for 2023. Bunny and Helene Forester worked together on the recently completed rejuvenation of a home on the Cove in Panama City that was affected by Hurricane Michael in 2018. The home needed both structural repairs and a total interior renovation, plus design changes and upgrades throughout. Suzanne Vickers, of Suzanne Vickers Construction, Inc., served as general contractor and worked closely with the homeowners and the design team to execute their combined vision. “Problem-solving and working with expert tradesmen and women is our niche, and we strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients,” says Vickers. “We provided project management, structural repairs, and much more while collaborating closely with the design team.”
Some of the damage to this home was obvious; some were more hidden and only came to light as renovations began, like the back porch that needed to be completely reconstructed, and issues with a chimney that had to be rebuilt. The homeowners, the contractor, and the design team all had to contend with the triple whammy of hurricane damage, the Covid pandemic, and the supply chain and labor challenges that ensued. When the extent of the project became apparent, the homeowners temporarily relocated to a condo at the beach for the duration, and the design team and their contractors and craftsmen went to work in earnest.
Vickers admits there were real challenges involved. “We discovered that the entire back porch, which ran the width of the home, was rotted and needed to be replaced. There was also a chimney that was completely reconstructed, and a wall in the kitchen that needed to be replaced because of mildew damage.” There were certainly positive things that made up for the negatives, however. “My favorite thing of all,” Vickers notes, “was the look of absolute joy on the homeowners’ faces when they saw the finished product.”
The completed project achieves the homeowners’ desire for an elegant, sophisticated French/European look, but with a coastal vibe. The Cove is an Old Panama City neighborhood with views of the water and a quiet, timeless vibe, and this home contributes to that ambiance.
The façade of the stucco home is striking, with its light gray finish accented by contrasting black doors and trim. Inside, the home is dressed in soft shades of cream and gray, with soft shades of blue and pops of green throughout. The living room is airy and filled with light from floor-to ceiling windows framed with light, translucent draperies. Heavy moldings accentuate the wide opening between living and dining spaces, and the dining area is capped off by a stunning gold accented chandelier.
One dramatic departure from the muted color scheme is the “gentlemen’s room,” which is painted in deep, rich blues with glossy woodwork and gold accents throughout. This room features Schumacher wallpaper patterned to replicate old books. A focal point is a fireplace with tile surround, a street scene painting above the mantel, and ornate antique horse statuary on either side. The room is filled with family heirlooms and memorabilia and features navy leather wing chairs and a mahogany secretary. The adjacent bar area features custom furnishings by local artisans and features a gold-topped bar, which includes a wine refrigerator underneath. A custom-built crushed velvet banquette fits under a striking hummingbird painting commissioned specifically for the space and painted by a local artist.
The luxurious window treatments throughout were designed and constructed by Melinda Laird of Beach Blinds, Draperies and More. “I loved working on this beautiful home,” says Laird. “I really liked the energy of Bunny’s crew, and I always feel honored to be asked into someone’s home to help create something that reflects their tastes, their interests, and their lifestyle.” Laird says her personal favorite feature of the home is the master suite – the bedroom, the bath, and the office. Laird also crafted much of the custom bedding throughout the home. The biggest challenge, she remembers, was dealing with different sizes of windows in various rooms. “This was, overall, a very satisfying experience, and all the parties worked well together.”
TREASURE OUT OF TRAGEDY
Before the Remodel
The kitchen was a complete remodel, with all new custom cabinetry. The cabinet doors feature gold chicken-wire inserts, and all the fixtures are gold. The countertops are quartz, and the floors are hardwood. There is a coffee bar and a breakfast area conveniently located just off the kitchen.
The primary bedroom suite features floor-to-ceiling windows and a coffered ceiling featuring a custom chandelier. It is decorated in soft cream tones and the walls are covered with a delicate Asian-inspired wallpaper. The spacious primary bath contains a freestanding soaking tub, custom cabinets and handcrafted Italian tiles. “The owners requested a calm, peaceful spa feel,” says Hall. “I think we accomplished that for them, with the Sea Salt paint color, the sheer draperies and the sleek lines throughout.” The exterior of the home follows the same aesthetic, with European-inspired landscaping around the pool, and the gradual slope toward the water.
The end result is a home that expresses the homeowners’ personalities, meets all their expectations, and exudes the charm and ambiance that they imagined.
ACCOLADES
The Perfect Plan Interior Design 206 Tequesta Drive, Unit D Destin FL 32541
Suzanne Vickers Construction, Inc. 429 Florida Avenue Lynn Haven FL 32444
suzanne@vickersconstructioninc.net
Beach Blinds, Draperies, and More 13123 Emerald Coast Parkway Rosemary Beach FL 32461
850-502-5401 | www.beachblindsdraperies.com
