Sanibel’s most established Inn just became Sanibel’s most stylish Inn. Over the past 12 months, the Island Inn has been executing several phases of its overall refurbishment program. In September, the Island Inn began to receive its full room makeover, under the direction of Melinda Graham, nationally acclaimed interior designer, decorator and Sanibel resident.
Melinda first opened her store as an Interior Design Consulting firm in 1994 and went on to appear on television shows such as NBC’s Later Today, Discovery Channel’s Home Matters, HGTV’s The Almanac with Willard Scott, Lifetime’s Our Home and Oxygen’s Pure Oxygen.
Once seeing the beautiful landscape of the Island Inn and learning the historical aspects of the 115 year old property, Graham was commissioned to redecorate the guestrooms and cottages to reflect what the Inn represents to so many people today – a beautiful, cozy, home away from home on the beach – without losing its charm or history.
And that is exactly what she did.
Graham transformed each of the guest rooms and cottages to updated versions of their former selves. New linens, couches, and accent pieces make them beautifully updated, without losing any of the comforts guests had grown to love. You can still find Granny Matthew’s desk in the Matthew’s Cottage, white furniture still graces most of the rooms, and paintings and photographs of shells and sunsets compliment new ceramic tile and hardwood floors. The Inn once again has become the perfect beachfront home away from home.
This week, a production team from the nationally published lifestyle and decor magazine ‘Cottages & Bungalows’ visited Sanibel to see all of the new updates made to the Inn. The Island Inn and Graham’s work will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
