Drawn to the serene feeling of fancy hotels she’s stayed in while traveling, Lindsey Skye Maguire sought to replicate these same zen-filled vacation vibes within her own dreamy condo. “I’ve stayed in some really fantastic hotels and indulged in too many spa days to count, so I wanted to capture that easy, stress-free vacation feeling,” said Lindsey.
As managing partner of Ancient City Real Estate, Lindsey is constantly advising her clients to consider resale value. However, when it came to her own space, she took an entirely different approach. “Although my job is to help people buy property at a good value and advise them not to over-improve, my personal residence was definitely the opposite. This was just something I wanted,” she explained.
Foregoing any thoughts of resale, Lindsey set out to create something magnificent that is very ‘Lindsey.’ She wanted a place she could fall in love with, a place where she could feel like she was on vacation while at home — her own curated hotel experience.
A condo at The Preserve acted as Lindsey’s clean slate for this project. She was attracted to the location and the lack of maintenance a condo demands. The Preserve is quietly removed from the hustle and bustle, yet conveniently located just east of the bridge, in close proximity to the beach, her office in Lighthouse Plaza, shopping areas, and downtown. “It’s in the middle of town and 5-10 minutes from everywhere I need to be,” she said.
Having rented within the complex previously, Lindsey was familiar with the property. The upstairs unit she selected to purchase is the largest floor plan available, and is tucked away in a corner of the complex, surrounded by trees. Her front door faces a green area, perfect for her poodle, Truffles.
“I love how set back this building is and that I have a front yard for Truffles. The neighbors are always friendly and always planting fresh new flowers!” she said.
Total Makeover
In just 60 days — from August 19 to October 19, 2015 — Lindsey transformed her condo into a hotel-like retreat. As the sole designer for this condo flip, every decision was one that suited her wishes and aligned with her desire to create an “easy” space.
“So much of my time working is spent making decisions. And while one of my strengths is decisiveness, I appreciate a vacation where I don’t have to make a choice. Where everything is planned and easy,” said Lindsey. “So why not make home feel exactly like that? I designed a space that was easy and felt like my own personal hotel.”
When guests enter Lindsey’s condo, music is playing while the visitors are led up a custom-tiled stairway, and round the corner into her completely open kitchen and living area. A quartz kitchen island adorns the center of the space, with a light fixture situated directly above that mimics champagne glasses. Tucked away bar stools offer minimal seating.
To the right is Lindsey’s living space, with an L-shaped white sofa. This inviting area opens up to the outdoors by way of a porch balcony. Gazing up from the open kitchen and living space is the loft, which is now Lindsey’s home office. Illuminated from above with the help of a skylight, the loft doubles as her workout area. Just below, nestled under a spiral staircase is a nook dedicated solely to Truffles.
Undoubtedly, the most notable transformation of the renovation is Lindsey’s sleeping quarters and closet. Lindsey turned what began as a two bedroom floor plan into a one bedroom with an en suite.
She removed the closet from the master bedroom. She then used that space to build an expansive custom bathroom with a large, inviting bathtub, and designed a place for her to put her makeup on. Lindsey then opted to turn her guest room into her closet and dressing room. Here, her wardrobe is neatly displayed and intentionally organized and hung across all four walls.
Though every inch of her space was created with her own desires and livability in mind, she especially enjoys the retreat and comfort of her en suite. “I honestly spend an equal amount of time in every room because it’s all just mine! I love my bathtub though,” said Lindsey.
Cool and Clutter Free
The cool color palette throughout her home creates a calming ambiance. The walls are painted Palladian Blue, and the bulk of her furnishings are white with silver accent pieces. Everything matches and is purposeful, and in Lindsey’s opinion, is just as it should be.
Music is constantly played in the background, controlled by Lindsey’s phone. Recessed lighting casts a subtle glow on the space by day, and at night, motion LED lights illuminate her way and twinkle as she walks.
One of the reasons Lindsey loves hotels so much is the lack of disorder. In her space, everything has its own place. “I wanted to create my own luxurious space with no clutter. If it doesn’t serve a pretty purpose, I don’t want it in my house. Nothing extra. Nothing sitting out. Everything put away. No extra appliances,” she said.
When she says no extra, she really means it. If she doesn’t use it, it’s not there. This goes for what some might consider an essential — for example, a dishwasher. Instead, she decided installing a wine refrigerator would be much more useful.
“Although my kitchen is beautiful, I think I’ve only used the oven once or twice. [I] never even installed a dishwasher… I opted for a wine refrigerator. Who has time to unload a dishwasher?!” said Lindsey.
As much as this condo is about Lindsey through and through, it’s also a place to invite her girlfriends and others over to for the sake of gathering together for a glass of wine and sheer relaxation.
Sources
Designer
Lindsey Skye Maguire
Contractor
Forrest Builders, LLC
Flooring, Tiled Stairway, Backsplash, Counters, and Cabinetry
Floor Factory Outlet
Glass and Mirrors
Lee & Cates
Interior Wall Paint
Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore
Plants
Leonardi’s Nursery
