Situated next to the Cabana Club on south Ponte Vedra Boulevard sits the Breakers oceanfront condominiums. The view is as you might expect, being as close to the ocean as homes can get — thanks to being grandfathered in before restrictions were put into place regarding the proximity a building can be erected on the beach.

The Challenge

Built in 1980, the bulk of these units are outdated and feel like they are in an interior decor time warp. Long, narrow rooms; low ceilings; mirrored walls; dark cabinetry; and more unsightly architecture add to the old look and feel.

Phoebe Howard, the woman behind three successful Mrs. Howard stores, knows firsthand how to bring these condos up to date. Howard, a self-taught decorator, recently completed her third renovation in the Breakers. The end result ranks up there with the view: Spectacular!

The Remedy

This three-bedroom, three-bath, 2,150-square-foot unit was gutted from floor to ceiling. Howard said it's hard to decorate around a bad foundation. "Any time you can correct the architectural flaws of a space you get a better product in the end," she said. "The space is going to be cleaner — definitely an improvement."

The owners of this condominium hail from California (and split their time between here and Idaho). They told Howard that they wanted a casual space where they didn't have to worry about maintenance. In other words, "They wanted it to be bathing suit- , potato chip-, kid- and dog-friendly," Howard said. "I don't want my clients to have to worry. I want them to live and enjoy it. It can still be pretty and functional."

The Design Plan

Howard's plan called for a beach feel without the typical seashell, palm tree decor. The clients wanted a slightly modern space with clean lines, light floors, light walls and splashes of color similar to that of sea glass.

First and foremost, the foyer had to go. It was standing in the way of the spectacular view the minute you walked in the front door. And there was a coat closet that would not be missed to open up the space.

The kitchen needed a complete overhaul to remove the dated wet bar; elevate the low ceilings; and replace all of the appliances, countertops, lighting, floors and cabinetry. "The kitchen was a disaster before. You would be stunned. We wanted to open it up and lighten it up," Howard said. Howard's stepson, Andrew, designed the kitchen space, keeping in mind the clients' wishes for a nonwhite kitchen. Turquoise backsplash tile adds a nice punch of color above the plentiful counter space. The marble countertops, and drift wood and quartered oak custom-finished cabinetry really lighten up the space. GE Monogram stainless-steel appliances, combined with stainless drawers and modern hardware, look sharp. A large pantry also affords plenty of storage. Continuous molding keeps the line from breaking and makes the cabinets appear tall.

Just off the kitchen is the dining area, which features a bold Capiz shell chandelier, very playful in nature, hanging over a teak table. "With all of the decorating of beach homes that I do, the decor doesn't fall into the beach-theme trap. I don't use shell prints or too many things like that, but I do use real shells whenever possible." The dining chairs are 100- percent acrylic and covered with Sunbrella outdoor fabric, which respects the clients' low-maintenance request. But it's the clients' own artwork that really sparks conversation in this and other parts of the home.

Fireplaces are banned from being used in the condos, so Howard didn't see a reason to keep the mantle. Andrew reworked the space with a floor-to-ceiling, custom-designed entertainment wall unit that attracts your eye instantly. He custom cut and applied very subtle squares of faux shark skin, which echoes the color of the backsplash in the kitchen.

The living room is the boldest spot in the house as far as color goes. The couch is covered in bright green Sunbrella fabric and flanked by two antique-looking tables. Howard said she collects things over time — nothing matches or comes as a set like you see in larger furniture stores. Two armchairs surround an oversized reclaimed teak wooden table with a metal base. "The clients don't like darker wood. They wanted lighter woods with bright colors and a white shell. It really expands the space visually," Howard said.

Before the renovation, there was a good-sized screened-in patio at the rear of the condo. Howard wanted to utilize this prime interior real estate and enclose it for additional square footage. It now serves as a sunporch, with glass doors the width of the condo, affording an unobstructed view of the ocean. A total of six wicker chairs offer ample seating, as does a dining table that can double as a card/breakfast table that opens up and expands to seat eight people.

The master bedroom didn't need much work — nothing a little grass cloth wallpaper, new furniture, new carpet and vibrant artwork couldn't fix. The master bathroom called for additional lighting sources, new limestone countertops and flooring, cabinetry, and a shower makeover. A flat-screen television is nestled in the corner over the sink, opposite the dressing table. The bathroom evolved into more of an extension of the master, rather than an afterthought.

Two additional guest rooms and bathrooms were in need of a fresh look, one that Howard achieved by putting up some textured wallpaper, new flooring, bold furniture and rich window tapestries. "The clients wanted comfortable bedrooms to accommodate storage — something clean and simple … not overdone."

The renovation took only four months to complete thanks to the quick decision making by the clients. "The goal was to make it simple, bright, cheerful, fun and easy, and I think we accomplished that."

Behind the Lense

Though Howard renovated the space from top to bottom, one thing remained untouched. In every room, you will find original photography by the owner, which Howard transformed from small four-by-six framed prints to much larger scale artwork that now hangs in each room of the house. "The artwork has so much more meaning than just buying something and hanging it on the wall. Plus it conjures up memories for them. They are real conversation pieces."