The bold colors also appear inside. Waves of blue drench the second-floor kitchen. A pale shade covers the walls and ceiling while a deeper shade is used on the cabinets. The wood floors carry a third shade of blue. The same hues are used in the downstairs master bedroom. Such colors are a perfect reflection of the nearby Gulf of Mexico waters.

"When I gave the cabinetmaker the color of the cabinets, he looked at me funny. It was a risk," Debra says. "I am so glad we did it."

Sky-Colored Ground
Paint your wood floors to get a coastal look. The secret to a good paint job is the prep work. Wash, sand, and prime the floors. Then paint with latex floor and patio enamel. If it's a high-traffic area, use a water-based polyurethane to seal it.

photo: Michael and Debra chose three shades of blue off the same color card for the floor, cabinets, and wall.