Location: Marco Island, Florida
A new-construction home on Marco Island comes with clean walls, new floors and builder-grade everything else. Leland's owners bought theirs as a second home. They wanted to arrive and find it finished: every room furnished, every bed made, nothing left to shop for.
We came in after the builder handed over the keys. Our scope covered the lighting, wallpaper, furniture inside and out, rugs, artwork, accessories and bedding, plus a custom feature wall in the living room and a grasscloth and hardware update in the kitchen. Here is how the house came together, room by room.
The great room: light, soft and made for gathering
The great room is the first space you see, so we started there. We replaced the builder light fixture with a large beaded chandelier that fills the height of the room and softens the ceiling. A cream sectional and two wood-framed armchairs face each other around a round coffee table, so conversation comes before television.
The palette stays close to the island itself: sand, white, soft blue and natural wood.
A TV wall that looks like art
A television on a bare wall is often the first thing that makes a new house feel unfinished. We designed a wave-textured wall panel in soft blue and white, framed in light wood, to hold the TV. When the screen is off, the wall reads as a piece of art that recalls the water outside.
The kitchen and dining area
The kitchen came with white cabinets and white counters, a good clean base. To give it warmth, we applied grasscloth wallcovering to the panels of the island cabinetry, so the island reads as a piece of furniture rather than builder cabinetry. We also replaced the builder's plain cabinet pulls with new hardware that gives the whole kitchen a more finished look. Rope barstools add more texture, and clear glass pendants over the island keep the view across the room open.
In the dining area, a linear fixture of glass pendants hangs over a light oak table with linen chairs. A large indigo fiber wall hanging gives the room one bold note of color against the pale walls.
A welcoming foyer
The foyer sets the tone the moment the double doors open. A lantern chandelier, a curved wood mirror, a slim brass shelf and a few plants turn a pass-through hallway into a proper entry.
The powder room: one bold move
Guests see the powder room more than any other bathroom, which makes it the right place for something unexpected. A blue palm-leaf wallpaper on every wall turned a standard builder bathroom into the most memorable room in the house.
Bedrooms ready for guests
The primary bedroom is a quiet retreat in ivory, cream and pale oak. A soft botanical wallpaper runs behind a white upholstered bed, and a brass chandelier with linen shades gives the room a warm glow. Woven Roman shades frame the windows and the French doors to the pool, and layered white bedding, a textured throw and a hand-woven rug make it feel like a boutique hotel suite.
Each guest room has its own personality within the same palette. In this one, a blue patterned wallpaper wall, a channel-tufted bed, a beaded chandelier and a rattan bench give guests a room that feels all their own. Every bed was made with new linens and pillows, ready for the first visitors.
The lanai: Florida living outdoors
On Marco Island, the lanai is used as much as the living room. Every piece of lanai furniture was selected by our studio: a long wood table and lattice-back chairs for the covered dining area beside the pool, and a lounge area for relaxing outdoors. Long dinners outside are part of every stay.
What "move-in ready" means
For a second home, the goal is simple: the owners arrive, and the house is ready. At Leland, that meant:
New lighting throughout, chosen for each room
Wallpaper in the powder room and bedrooms
A custom TV feature wall, grasscloth panels on the kitchen island and new kitchen cabinet pulls
Furniture, rugs and artwork for every room and the lanai
Accessories, plants and styling
Bedding and linens for every bed
See the full Leland project, or learn more about our Marco Island interior design services.
Questions we hear from new-construction buyers
When should I hire an interior designer for a new-construction home?
The earlier, the better, but it is never too late. At Leland, we started after the builder finished the house and replaced the lighting as part of our work. Starting before closing gives you more time to order furniture so the home is ready for the season.
Can you furnish my Marco Island home while I live out of state?
Yes. Many of our clients own second homes here. We handle the selections, ordering, delivery, installation and styling, and keep you updated throughout.
What is included in a move-in-ready design?
Everything you need to live in the home from day one: lighting, furniture, rugs, artwork, accessories, bedding and linens, and finishing touches like wallpaper.
How do I get started?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call to tell us about your home. The next step is an in-person design consultation at your home, by appointment. A fee applies.