CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THINK OF SEA GLASS
OF THE COLORS OF THE OCEAN
OF DRIFTWOOD
OR A SANDY BEACH
OF SUNBLEACHED FABRICS AND TIMEWORN FURNITURE
AND YOU HAVE THE ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR COASTAL DECOR
SO, TODAY I'M INTRODUCING YOU TO A STYLE THAT I LOVE
FOR ME ITS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE,
A TUG AT LONG AGO MEMORIES OF BALMY NIGHTS, FRAGRANT BREEZES, AND SAND BETWEEN MY TOES
COASTAL COTTAGE
TAKE A LOOK AND TELL ME IF YOU LOVE IT AS MUCH AS I DO. I COULD SERIOUSLY CURL UP AND LIVE IN THESE PHOTOS.
Coastal decorating - painted furniture, wooden floors, striped rugs -
(cottage style furnishings by Stanley)
(seriously love the deep teal color)
Coastal decorating takes the indoors out - creating inviting outdoor rooms with an inside feel.
You can enjoy this style even if you don't live on a coast
(coastal living magazine)
More coastal cottage furniture by Stanley
Crisp white kitchens are a mainstay of coastal cottage homes
I love how the tiles here are the colors of the sea and sand
and I love the timeworn barstools
The bamboo/rattan chairs are a little more traditional in style but the feeling is unmistakenly coastal
My favorite touch is the lanterns - especially the green one ...
Living under the stars - seagrass deep seating, white slipcovers, teak table and painted white fireplace and cabinets - who would want to spend any time indoors??
A green painted buffet adds an inviting punch of color in this beach cottage entry
Notice the beadboard walls and touches of sea glass color in this inviting dining area
I love that Coastal and Cottage styles don't take themselves too seriously. The furniture here has elements of treasured antiques, but the soft painted finishes and timeworn edges change the overall feel to casual and fun.
More from the Stanley Furniture line - simply adorable pieces
Love the high wainscotting - painted white, of course!
Amazing bed from Tuvalu Home
Dove grey - like driftwood and a cloudy sky - love the casual slipcovers
A soft turquoise dresser makes an impact in an entry
A very beachy floor covering - seagrass is classic and durable
Look at the lamp - I love this clear glass bottle lamp
Here is another, in green
Sea green subway glass tiles form the backsplash in this coastal kitchen
Simple furnishings, timeworn elements, slipcovers and touches of blues and greens are the formula for making this room inviting, fresh and beachy
Seagrass is a durable and virtually waterproof floor covering, perfect for coastal decorating, but also works well with many decorating styles.
It stands to reason that you would find coastal decor in a beach town. I recently had lunch in Laguna Beach, and prowled around the town a little afterwards...
and came across a wonderful shop in South Laguna on PCH
called Cottage Furnishings
They very kindly allowed me to take a few photos of their treasures to show you
there were sprinklings of coral and shells
these wonderful wide molding frames
I especially loved them in groupings
Cottage furniture
or painted vintage furniture
(if you have the time, you can create your own)
lamps, textiles, shells and shorebirds
glass fishing floats and jade turbo shells
and wonderful stacked glass lamps
I love this piece that says "you have my whole heart for my whole life"
visit them when you get the chance, or visit their website here.
Coastal style can be as casual or serious as you choose. It can feel like a vacation, or a fresh and inviting home. It will be beautiful and comfortable as long as you don't take the shell and seaglass theme too far, and keep a nice neutral white palette with just touches of the blues, greens or greys you've seen here.
I love this look - but I lived in the South Pacific for 6 years.
I'm interested in how you like it.
Is it a style you would like to try?
In what room would you like to try coastal style?
I'd love to hear what you think
