by Monica Dao

Designing or remodeling a vacation home from afar can be daunting — but for Jamie Roddy, founder of EdenLA Interiors, it’s second nature. Known for her expertise in luxury vacation home design across both coasts, Jamie shares her top strategies for managing renovations, coordinating remote installations, and infusing second homes with personal style. From navigating Florida’s local codes to creating fully turn-key interiors, her practical yet sophisticated approach ensures every project feels effortless — even from thousands of miles away.

Q: Jamie, what’s the first thing someone should do when planning to remodel or decorate a vacation home from afar?
A: The very first step is assembling the right team — and that starts with finding a building crew who is not only excellent at what they do, but also very familiar with the local city codes. I always advise clients to get referrals from neighbors who’ve lived in the area a long time or from realtors with reputations they protect fiercely. These are the people who know which crews consistently deliver quality work and navigate inspections with ease. Because we specialize in vacation homes, we are always working from afar. Your building crew for your vacation home should never be chosen based on lowest price alone.

Q: How do you recommend managing a project when you can’t be on site regularly?
A: Communication and accountability are everything. One of my non-negotiables is requiring weekly photographic updates from the contractor. This keeps my team and clients in the loop, prevents misunderstandings, and ensures that problems get caught early. Technology makes this easy — it’s just a matter of making sure the team treats it as part of their normal process.

Q: What’s your advice for receiving and handling furnishings and décor while the home is under construction?
A: This is where professional infrastructure makes all the difference. I strongly recommend using a third-party warehouse that specializes in receiving, inspecting, and storing furniture and décor for designers. This way, if there are damages, they’re caught early and replacements can be ordered long before install day. When the house is ready, that same warehouse team can deliver everything in one seamless installation — no boxes piled in your garage and no delivery-day chaos.

Q: You’re a bicoastal designer. How do you prepare clients for the culture and pace of Florida projects?
A: I always remind my clients that Florida operates on its own beautiful time. Things may not happen on the exact timeline they’re used to, and that’s okay. Part of embracing a second home is embracing its rhythm — so don’t force your norms on your new neighborhood.

Q: What about the “little things” that make a vacation home move-in ready?
A: At EdenLA, we have what we call our turn-key list. It includes every last detail — from the Roomba and the water hoses to the hangers, toilet brushes, and cleaning supplies. When my clients walk into their new home for the first time, I want them to be able to pour a glass of wine, take a deep breath, and enjoy it — not run to the store for trash bags. We’re happy to share this extensive checklist with anyone who reaches out and asks for it.

Q: How should clients think about design choices for a vacation home versus their primary residence?
A: This is where I encourage people to have more fun! A vacation home is the perfect place to explore a side of your personality that you might not live with every day. Go bold with color, try that wallpaper you’ve been dreaming about, or design a room around a mood rather than a function. This house is meant for relaxation and joy — let the design reflect that.

Visit Luxury Home Magazine of The Palm Beaches for more design inspiration.

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