An Exclusive Before-and-After look at the former Vera Bradley Inn

Back in the 2000s, one of the most popular stays when traveling to the scenic Santa Rosa Beach in Florida was owned by none other than Vera Bradley co-founder, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard.

The boutique-style, 9-room inn prominently featured Vera Bradley’s signature floral designs throughout, attracting both fans of the famous design brand, as well as travelers looking to cozy up for a while in its charming rooms.

A 30A landmark, sitting merely steps away from the town square and beaches where the 1998 movie The Truman Show was filmed, the property once known as the Vera Bradley Bed and Breakfast attracted tourists from all over the country with its themed rooms and proximity to one of the most captivating beaches on the Gulf Coast.

^{Photo credit: Array Real Estate Photography courtesy of Corcoran Reverie}

In line with Vera Bradley’s playful designs, the inn’s rooms had colorful themes like key lime, true blue, posies, sunset patterns, checkerberry, and more.

And older reviews from travelers who stayed at the inn say their stay often included a colorful Vera Bradley bag that matched their room — and was theirs to keep.

But the magic was gone in 2012 when Barbara Bradley Baekgaard sold the inn.

Since then, despite several attempts to revive the inn to its former glory, the home fell into foreclosure in 2011.

Typically, it would’ve been torn down and replaced with a larger and more modern structure, but luxury agent Cindy Cole of Corcoran Reverie had other plans to save a piece of town history — and restore it to its former glory.

She reached out to the current owners who jumped at the opportunity to do some good for the town where they loved to vacation.

They then spent years lovingly restoring the Vera Bradley Inn to a more current look and feel, while keeping tasteful antique touches in honor of its historical significance and repurposing it for residential use. And the transformation is spectacular! (scroll down for some “before-and-after” pictures, to get a better idea of how it looked like prior to the makeover).

Now, the antebellum-style property is being brought to market as an extra-charming residential home, priced at $6,495,000.

“With this being one of the most iconic homes in Seaside based on its history and prominent location, I’m thrilled to bring this home to the market,” says owner and broker, Hilary Farnum-Fasth of Corcoran Reverie, who holds the listing alongside Cindy Cole and Co-Owner Jacob Watkins.

A Before-and-After look at the former Vera Bradley Inn in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Prior to its recent transformation, the property located at 38 Seaside Avenue boasted a charming yet outdated design that didn’t bode well with current interior trends.

Despite the appeal of the playful Vera Bradley-inspired designs that adorned its walls, the former inn was in dire need of upgrades.

But the current owners have spent years lovingly restoring the Vera Bradley Inn to a more current look and feel, while keeping tasteful antique touches in honor of its historical significance.

During the restoration process, the owners preserved the original flooring, staircase, fireplaces, and some furnishings from the inn, creating a warm and inviting feel.

And thanks to some old listing photos, we can see how some of the rooms inside the former Vera Bradley Bed & Breakfast have been transformed to accommodate its future residents.

The parlor – BEFORE

^{Photo credit: MLS courtesy of Corcoran Reverie}

The parlor – AFTER

Bedrooms – BEFORE

Bedrooms – AFTER

Bathrooms – BEFORE

Bathrooms – AFTER

The house is now on the market for $6,495,000

The property at 38 Seaside Avenue in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida is now being brought to market as a single-family residence — though it can also be operated as a vacation rental, rebranded as the Feeling Good Again manor.

With a total of 5,476 square feet, 9 bedrooms, and 12 baths spread across the main residence and the separate carriage house (which features 2 guest suites, separate kitchenettes, and separate sitting rooms), there’s ample space to entertain (or host) guests.

The antebellum-style home has been equipped with everything it might need to serve as a loving family home including an updated, modern gourmet kitchen complete with a Thermador range and marble countertops.

However, future owners might still want to take advantage of the property’s earning potential. If not for the association with the Vera Bradley brand, for its short-lived on-screen presence in one of the most popular movies ever made: the house was featured as the backdrop for a scene in the 1998 movie The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey.

In the scene, the house is lit up to help the townspeople find Truman. Unsurprisingly, the property is one of many places from the film that people still visit today — adding to its appeal as a lucrative vacation rental.