HOME DECOR: GOING COASTAL

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

HOME DECOR: WHITE KITCHENS

WHY I LOVE COUNTRY KITCHENS

Country has changed a lot since the 80's.  Today's country is clean lined, crisp, neutral and beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.  If the word 'country' still conjures up visions of heavy oak furniture and cluttered counters, let me show you what today's country looks like.

I admit, I like a white kitchen.  This country kitchen features simple doors, a country farmhouse sink, hardwood floors, honed granite countertops, bin pulls and glass front cabinets.  The coffered ceiling as an architectural element gives a feeling of elegance and age - like an old country farmhouse - but truly this is a very efficient kitchen. 

Clean lines, minimal accessories - warm wood floor.  I love the beadboard ceiling.

Butcher block topped island with big chunky country legs, a stone floor, simple lighting and the almost industrial look of the stainless appliances

Country kitchens should have a little of the rustic thrown in - like the weathered beams on the ceilings and  the washed brick backsplash.  The polished granite contertops provide a nice contrast to the weathered finishes - and I love the lantern styled lighting

An in-kitchen eating area and slipcovered upholstered chairs and checkered flooring are wonderful country elements.  I love the addition of the industrial style lighting and the stainless range with the steel backsplash.  It's all about the contrasts. 

Hardwood flooring with white cabinetry and wonderful columns and millwork.  The upholstered checkered barstools add a little fun.

Today's country is all about the feel of vintage without the inconvenience.  Vintage style subway tile creates a country backsplash in a slightly modern way.  An antique country table in this kitchen works double duty as a work space or an in-kitchen eating area.  Architectural vintage style range hood and simple cleaned line cabinets - it looks fresh, clean and uncomplicated.

I love the alcove above the range.  It creates a great architectural focal point and brings in that country vintage feel, as do the butcher block counters, beadboard and warm wood flooring.  The island features a curved seating edge - perfect for friendly conversation.     

Todays country - the elements remain the same:  farmhouse sink, simple hardware, simple lighting and simple cabinetry with a vintage feel, clean lines and no clutter.  Adding a little black brings a little drama and elegance to the table, but keeps the palette neutral

This country kitchen has a rustic feel - but at closer look is a kitchen for a very serious cook with double ranges and double sinks.

Its so easy to change the mood with a neutral palette.  Add a soft pop of color and you have a whole new look.   Floor to ceiling plate rack in this kitchen adds vintage country flavor, as do the rush seats on the stools.

Elements of a country kitchen are timeless.  A stone cooking alcove, stone flooring, honed granite counters and vintage styled lighting are set off by an island that looks like a piece of furniture was set in the middle of the room.  That was a common practice in a country farmhouse kitchen back in the day, and adds a true country element to this kitchen. 

Modern convenience combines with rustic travertine in this cooking alcove

Another country element - painted upper cabinetry and wood toned lower

Still keeping in the neutral palette, this elegant kitchen has a dramatic backsplash and simple honed granite countertops.  Rustic beams, vintage styled lighting  and beadboard add more country elements, while modern styled steel barstools add a playful element.

Again, simple vintage styled cabinetry, simple hardware, and serious appliances

This kitchen makes me smile.  Even without the cow.  Industrial stools and light fixtures combine with rustic table, beadboard and stainless steel.  This is NOT your mother's country-style.

Love these light fixtures and highly polished floor, subway tiles, country vintage style barstools

LOVE the top cabinets

Great cabinet - store your dishes and display treasures

Rustic island with stainless steel counter - a little bit of a contemporary backsplash with vintage styled cabinets and great lantern style lighting - contrasts - they are wonderful aren't they?

Meet the master cabinetmaker - Christopher Peacock.  This is inspired by Swedish country - light wood floor, dove grey painted chairs, rustic vintage table, black granite counters -  wink to the Swedish with the candle ring styled lighting fixture

A stone floor and stone wall surrounding the stainless refrigerator - and a pop of color.

So todays country - NO clutter, NEUTRAL palette, INDUSTRIAL/MODERN elements, EFFICIENT appliances, VINTAGE STYLED cabinetry and millwork, CLASSIC wood or stone flooring, SIMPLE lighting.  It all adds up to comfortable, usable, family style living

A neutral palette doesn't mean just white

I couldn't resist one more by the master:

Christopher Peacock.  Beautiful cabinet details.

what do you think of country now?????