Update That Beachy Style!
Clear the Clutter and Go Beyond Shells for Fresh Take on the Coastal Look
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
I was pitching in on some Design Dilemmas on our Questions Board when Houzz member berne asked, "Do you have any ideas on bringing contemporary and modern furnishings into a home with lots of decorative white moldings? House is a large seaside colonial."
Yes, as a matter of fact. I love coastal style and I've been collecting images of updated beachy style for some time now. The key is to think beyond shell themes and to clear the clutter, while still referencing the coastline through color and texture. Let's take a look at how Houzz designers are doing it. (See berne's original Question here.)
Yes, as a matter of fact. I love coastal style and I've been collecting images of updated beachy style for some time now. The key is to think beyond shell themes and to clear the clutter, while still referencing the coastline through color and texture. Let's take a look at how Houzz designers are doing it. (See berne's original Question here.)
This room is a perfect example of coastal transitional. It has the blue and white striped rug, a pelican painting, shells on a contained trayscape. Note the sophisticated fabric selections on the pillows and custom upholstered ottoman.
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This open floor plan is uncluttered but brings in coastal style textures, including the seagrass counter stools and the blue and white striped rug. The wood trestle table paired with Emeco Navy Chairs (originally designed for ships) brings things up to date.
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| Here another mostly white kitchen is very picky about its dashes of color and textures. The polished nickel Yoke Pendant Lights give a nod to all things nautical, and the woven counter stools add warmth. |
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by Su Casa Designs
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| Exotic suzani fabrics enter the mix and shake up the blue, ecru and white color palette. |
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Beadboard is a coastal cottage staple; here it's been turned 90 degrees to create horizontal lines. The crisply detailed wood cabinets with simple hardware and transparent doors, as well as the vessel sinks and wall-mounted faucets, keep things stripped down.
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| Crisp white paint and spare touches of wood keep things updated; a natucial lantern and four-over-one windows reference traditional coastal cottages. This kind of update lets the water view stand out even more. |
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by Workshop/apd
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| This coastal home features iconic modern furniture pieces and exotic fabrics. All of these things are grounded by a seagrass rug and held together by the white walls and rafters.
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by Workshop/apd
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| The same house seen previously features collected furnishings that mix well with a more traditional blue and white striped rug. |
by Tara Seawright
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This designer has thrown in some unexpected shades of blue as well as a greenish-yellow into her coastal palette. She's also included an unexpected daybed and a leather hippo.
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by Amy Lau Design
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| A similar color palette was used here; mid-century modern furnishings recall groovy beach houses from the '60s and '70s, yet it's all put together in a very polished and sophisticated way. The driftwood coffee table, big sticks in the corner and wavy pillows reference the Hamptons setting in a subtle way.
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by Workshop/apd
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| Wicker is a coastal staple, and this mix of wicker and light raw wood is a pleasing combination. Punches of aqua, a beach landscape and driftwood reference the setting. |
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by Workshop/apd
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| This kitchen is a great example of creating a light backdrop with the permanent fixtures and adding in style with more portable pieces. The woven blinds and retro barstools make things a little more casual and welcoming; a blue and green pottery collection can be viewed through the glass cabinet doors. Knotty pine floors continue coastal cottage tradition. |
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by Workshop/apd
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| Here the usual beachy navy and white stripes have been subdued with warm tan and a lighter shade of blue, and more tailored upholstery makes things a bit more formal. The rattan side tables keep things from getting too formal. |
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While this room has a retro kitchen table, shingles and vintage folding chairs, the way it has been kept spare gives it a contemporary feel. This is a good lesson in how careful editing can update a look.
Tip: If your home is suffering from coastal clutter overload, clear the room and add things one at a time. When you think you're done, take away one or two things.
Tip: If your home is suffering from coastal clutter overload, clear the room and add things one at a time. When you think you're done, take away one or two things.
This home has traditional moldings, and the white and light palette complements the style of the house, bringing the chic without the shabby.
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Everything is a bit more free and easy in a coastal home. Feel free to make some unconventional and eclectic moves, as this designer did with these stairs.
| This room looks like the designer deconstructed a Navy dress uniform and replaced the brass buttons with inspection-ready polished nickel. Instead of using busier navy and white prints, this room makes a big statement with the dark navy wall, a polished sawhorse desk, and a porthole window. |
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This room has beautifully detailed moldings, and the furnishings carefully balance comfort with spare style. The simple table joins woven chairs with a comfortable eating nook. Most important, the design does not overwhelm the view.
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A seaside painting, outdoor sconces and a pastel paint job lend a relaxed beachy feeling to this home.
More:
Craft Modern
A Colorful Cottage in the Hamptons
Design Lessons from a Nantucket Inn
More:
Craft Modern
A Colorful Cottage in the Hamptons
Design Lessons from a Nantucket Inn
Ideabook published on May 7, 2011.
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Becky
If you want to start perusing some fun chandies to give me an idea of what style floats your boat, check out the ones the Houzz team has chosen as our personal faves here:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/chandeliers
You can trim down the selection on the left side by choosing different styles.
Becky