Here are my Top Design Tips for bringing ocean breezes to your doorstep, even if you live thousands

4. OPT FOR MORE CASUAL FURNITURE

Velvet settees and silk chairs don’t fare well with drippy swimsuits and sandy flip flops. Opt instead for soft, unassuming upholstery that looks like it can live up to sand and surf. Outdoor fabrics and cotton slipcovers are excellent choices. Sturdy wooden tables in bleached, whitewashed or pickled woods and wicker or rattan chairs jibe well with American Coastal style. Exotic, darker woods pair well with a more tropical or Mediterranean Coastal vibe.

5. CHOOSE EASY BREEZY BEAUTIFUL FABRICS

Imagine ocean breezes wafting through open windows into sun-drenched rooms. Now imagine billowing curtains catching those breezes and bringing the outdoors in. Floaty fabrics like linen, muslin, rayon and cotton blends are perfect and filter that pretty sunlight, too.

6. DON’T GO TOO KITSCHY WITH THE BEACHY ACCESSORIES

Avoid having your home look like a seaside souvenir shop by going easy on the seashells, fish floats and rope knots and opt instead for more understated accessories that offer a more subtle Coastal vibe. Think one large clamshell instead of a bunch of little seashells scattered around. Or what about art that reflects your seaside travels or even some black and white photos to offset the Coastal colors? Seaglass beads also look awesome draped over a book or in a bowl. Get creative and your spaces will whisper “sophisticated” instead of screaming “Welcome to my beach house!”

7. EMBRACE IMPERFECTION Coastal style is carefree, not uptight. Imperfection is a good thing when it comes to this design style. So don’t sweat the small stuff. Using materials with natural imperfections, such as recycled woods, keeps your home from looking too precious and offers that kick off your shoes vibe that makes beach homes so relaxing and inviting.

8. GO HONED OR GO HOME

Weathered or matte finishes trump metallic flashy and polished ones when it comes to Coastal style. So stay away from glossy and hone in on honed.

9. KEEP IT SIMPLE SUNSHINE!

Finally, Coastal style is about living the easy life in a space that renews and rejuvenates. So clutter is a big no-no. Keep collections simple. A display of blue glass bottles on a mantel is perfect or adding a striped wallpaper or fabric to the mix might be all you need. Keep it simple, and you can’t go wrong.

Marketplace

Don't miss an issue! CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

Following this first inaugural issue, access to the issues of this magazine will continue to be free but will be EXCLUSIVE to those who have subscribed to my blog. The magazine will arrive directly to your inbox four times a year.

SEASHORE PRINT Birds playing in the waves on a beautiful sunny day at the beach. Print on canvas perfectly framed in glossy white. (Original photo by Marcia Moore).

Height: 20” Width: 20” $285, shipping not included

A long-legged ibis is the stunning centerpiece of this decorative table lamp. Beautiful in any space, this lamp features a warm ancient gold finish over detailed resin construction. A black satin drum shade is lined in gold, ensuring inviting illumination. This charming bird rests on a crystal base and holds a crystal ball in its talons to deliver a touch of luxurious flair. (See this lamp in The Beauty of Sail dining room photo). Height: 35” Width/diameter: 14.5” Max. Wattage: 100 watts, 1 bulb $352.50, shipping not included

CLAMSHELL BOWL This large, plaster cast clamshell bowl filled with a floral arrangement or bath accessories is a perfect addition to a dining room or bathroom. (See what we did with this bowl in The Beauty of Sail dining room photo).

Height: 9.25” Width/Diameter: 21” Length: 12.5”

IBIS LAMP

$178.50, shipping not included

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR SELECTIONS

DRIFTWOOD LAMP Crafted to deliver the texture and charm of driftwood washed up on the beach, this white table lamp features plaster construction with an exceptionally realistic look. A raw cotton shade with vertical ribs ensures a compelling, textured look when the lamp is lit. (See these lamps in The Beauty of Sail bedroom photo).

Height: 30.5” Width/diameter: 18” Max. Wattage: 100 watts, 1 bulb $262.50, shipping not included

“There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.” — Sarah Kay

original photo by Marcia Moore

Oceans affect our lives and those of our loved ones, no matter how far from the shore we live. We depend on the oceans for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and even the products that keep us warm, safe, informed, and entertained.