Sourcebook: Vintage Coastal Style
We've rounded up a boatload of beachy accessories and furnishings for you to comb through, so you can focus on the view
Rebecca Heane
September 20, 2012
After 14 years of living in Western Australia, I returned home to Falmouth, Cornwall, to live in a terraced house built in 1846 overlooking the harbour. My personal style is an eclectic mix influenced by my travels and my heritage. My favourite projects are those which allow me to design something especially for the client, from a fabric or wallpaper print to a piece of furniture.
After 14 years of living in Western Australia, I returned home to Falmouth, Cornwall,... More
Washed-up treasures you find on the beach, everyday objects you can reinvent — many things you once thought were useless can be a part of vintage coastal design. Driftwood, shells, distressed and worn finishes against a soft, chalky color palette combine in this shabby chic version of coastal style. Be inspired by nature and bring the outside in! If you already have a collection of beach finds, create your own accessories. If not, then this collection of key pieces will give you the relaxed, calming, seaside feeling you've been looking for.
Lighting
Lighting always plays an important part in a room, since it sets the tone and creates atmosphere. It's no different in a vintage coastal home. Use lighting fixtures to define your home's look.
Sources:
• Find this gorgeous chandelier by Currey & Co. here.
• For more lighting ideas, including shell and driftwood lamps, visit Buy the Sea.
Lighting always plays an important part in a room, since it sets the tone and creates atmosphere. It's no different in a vintage coastal home. Use lighting fixtures to define your home's look.
Sources:
• Find this gorgeous chandelier by Currey & Co. here.
• For more lighting ideas, including shell and driftwood lamps, visit Buy the Sea.
Wall Art
Almost any seaside object can decorate the walls of a coastal home — from bunting to vintage signs to worn nautical objects.
Sources:
• Buy these decorative oars at Live, Laugh, Love (U.K. only).
• For a great range of bunting, visit Just Bunting.
• I love hand-painted signs for a vintage coastal look. Zeke's Antique Signs has a great selection.
Almost any seaside object can decorate the walls of a coastal home — from bunting to vintage signs to worn nautical objects.
Sources:
• Buy these decorative oars at Live, Laugh, Love (U.K. only).
• For a great range of bunting, visit Just Bunting.
• I love hand-painted signs for a vintage coastal look. Zeke's Antique Signs has a great selection.
Display
Domes, glass jars and vases are perfect for displaying all your treasures, a pebble, a shell or something else that's special to you.
Sources:
• Rockett St George has a range of gorgeous display domes.
• Find more great display items at Rowen & Wren.
Domes, glass jars and vases are perfect for displaying all your treasures, a pebble, a shell or something else that's special to you.
Sources:
• Rockett St George has a range of gorgeous display domes.
• Find more great display items at Rowen & Wren.
Mirrors
These lovely round bird’s nest–style mirrors are made using individually selected pieces of driftwood collected from local beaches along Wales' west coast. Pebbles, feathers and shells are nestled between the woven driftwood.
Sources:
• Find more like this at Free Range Designs (U.K. only).
• OKA also has a large range of driftwood mirrors and furniture.
These lovely round bird’s nest–style mirrors are made using individually selected pieces of driftwood collected from local beaches along Wales' west coast. Pebbles, feathers and shells are nestled between the woven driftwood.
Sources:
• Find more like this at Free Range Designs (U.K. only).
• OKA also has a large range of driftwood mirrors and furniture.
Upcycling
These hand-painted crates are a great example of upcycling, which works well with the soft, worn look in vintage coastal homes.
Sources:
• Find these at CastawaysHall's Etsy shop.
• For original vintage crates, go to Hen & Hammock.
These hand-painted crates are a great example of upcycling, which works well with the soft, worn look in vintage coastal homes.
Sources:
• Find these at CastawaysHall's Etsy shop.
• For original vintage crates, go to Hen & Hammock.
Paints
Chalk paints, lime washes and distempers (whitewashes) all give wood and plaster a soft, velvety finish.
Sources:
• Find these chalk paints at Annie Sloan.
• Francesca's Paints has a large range of hand-mixed finishes, from eggshell to lime wash (U.K. only).
Chalk paints, lime washes and distempers (whitewashes) all give wood and plaster a soft, velvety finish.
Sources:
• Find these chalk paints at Annie Sloan.
• Francesca's Paints has a large range of hand-mixed finishes, from eggshell to lime wash (U.K. only).
Lanterns and Tea Light Holders
Lanterns and tea lights are such easy ways to create atmosphere in your home. Use these casual and affordable lights to create a warm nighttime glow.
Sources:
• Find these at Pure Interiors (U.K. only).
• For a large selection of vintage-style tea light holders and hurricane lanterns, visit The Nordic House.
Lanterns and tea lights are such easy ways to create atmosphere in your home. Use these casual and affordable lights to create a warm nighttime glow.
Sources:
• Find these at Pure Interiors (U.K. only).
• For a large selection of vintage-style tea light holders and hurricane lanterns, visit The Nordic House.
Accessories
Stick to organic forms in a vintage coastal home. Coral, shells, starfish and pieces of driftwood are key.
Sources:
• Beachcomber has an extensive range of shells and sea creatures for display.
• Dorset Gifts also has a wide variety of assorted shells already bagged up.
• Find fan coral and other beach art at Beach Art Designs.
Stick to organic forms in a vintage coastal home. Coral, shells, starfish and pieces of driftwood are key.
Sources:
• Beachcomber has an extensive range of shells and sea creatures for display.
• Dorset Gifts also has a wide variety of assorted shells already bagged up.
• Find fan coral and other beach art at Beach Art Designs.
Soft Furnishings
Stay classic and vintage inspired for your vintage coastal home's soft furnishings. Think midcentury and older for a truly authentic look.
Sources:
• Find this cushion and more at Caron's Beach House.
• For whimsical prints, check out Clarke & Clarke's Maritime range.
Stay classic and vintage inspired for your vintage coastal home's soft furnishings. Think midcentury and older for a truly authentic look.
Sources:
• Find this cushion and more at Caron's Beach House.
• For whimsical prints, check out Clarke & Clarke's Maritime range.
Furniture
The distressed finish on this coffee table is a perfect backdrop for displays of shells and other beach finds.
Sources:
• Find this coffee table and more styles at Layla Grace.
• Lucy Willow is a great place to go for a huge range of painted furniture.
• Find other key pieces at Rowen & Wren.
The distressed finish on this coffee table is a perfect backdrop for displays of shells and other beach finds.
Sources:
• Find this coffee table and more styles at Layla Grace.
• Lucy Willow is a great place to go for a huge range of painted furniture.
• Find other key pieces at Rowen & Wren.
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Love those blue paint colours
Love those vintage crates. Find more coastal decor ideas at http://www.endlesscoastaldecor.com