A Life Moment

In Life & Home we explore design inspiration to create beautiful home moments – from the coast, to the city and to the country and beyond – no matter where you may live. It is a beautiful life to love.

WHAT IS COASTAL?

Firstly, coastal is different from nautical. Coastal is natural light, soft tones, and a clean aesthetic that evokes the breeziness of the beach and summer days. And the use of the ‘less is more’ direction helps to define the overall style palette. The key elements harmonise jute textures, earth tones, layered blues, crisp whites, stripes, and loose linen upholstery.

A coastal home can reflect a classic Australian beachside design, a Mediterranean white washed cottage, a Hamptons clapboard treasure, to a Scandinavian beachside chic. Coastal is many interpretations but at its heart there are fundamental styling directions to capture its true essence. What are the elements that you can curate to create your own colour palette.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

The coastal feel incorporates the feeling of light – opening the inside to the outside. Large windows with minimal widow treatments allowing light to stream through. Light reflects differently off colours which needs to be a consideration when it comes to selecting paint colours for inside and out.

A WARM NATURAL APPROACH

Create a warm natural approach – furniture of wicker and rattan, and light timbers and fabrics. Rugs take their cues from seagrass and sisal, and limited use of metallic textures throughout each room will create a visual point. Natural materials of cotton and linen and sheer curtains that can float when there is a lofty sea breeze will add texture to any room in a home.

A BEAUTIFUL COLOUR PALETTE

Crisps whites lead the colour palette – which allows the light to shine and makes a space feel airier and larger. Colour is embellished with accent colours. But remember to keep them in neutral tones such as warm beige or khaki, lighter blues, grey and sage. Depending on your style colour can be adjusted. For a Mediterranean feel curate crisp whites with deep sea blues. A country coastal style would exude warm whites and the palest blue greens. And for Bermudian influences bright coral shades with rich sky blues will reflect tropical living.

THAT FEELING OF COMFORT

Keeping a room balanced will keep the focus on accent pieces. Wicker and rattan are grounding coastal elements; however they need to be used to highlight and not over embellish a room. Add a modern crispness to sofas with natural slip covers. Or the addition of beautiful sage bath towels to a white bathroom will add warmth. And the incorporation of beautiful flowers or natural plants will elevate any room decor.

LESS REALLY IS MORE

The main rule of creating a beautiful coastal design is to understand restraint. Adding a beautiful seaside touches will add additional texture and talking points to any design. Taking a focal point for the addition of a feature wallpaper, or selecting a collection of blue and white pieces for display, will bring a room together without seeming overly themed.

FINDING STYLE INSPIRATION

A coastal inspired decor offers warmth and charm to a home through the natural effects of sunlight, texture and a more muted palette of colour. My favourite destinations for accessories and style directions are those that are classically timeless and elegantly modern.

AN AERIN MOMENT

AERIN Home is beautiful pieces inspired by the signature style of its founder Aerin Lauder. The AERIN Collections are based on the belief that living beautifully should be effortless. It is classic in the approach of each design creating a sense of ease and refinement. It is a collection I turn to for continuous home and styling inspiration.

THAT HAMPTONS STYLE

Hamptons Style is the original for Hamptons home styling and design. They create through their designs and pieces a timeless and elegant beach style for modern living. Founded by Donna Spozetta, Hamptons Style creates spaces for stylish coastal inspired living for city, coast or country. Please take me there any day of the week for their interior design services and their newly reimaged online retail shopping destination.

SUZIE ANDERSON HOME

Suzie Anderson Home is coveted for their classic and contemporary approach to home. It is a place where you can browse collections that are curated to go beyond trends. The beauty of Suzie Anderson Home is in the detail. For something special you can discover your interior style personality by taking their quiz to make it a more meaningful experience.

WICKA HOMEWARES

WICKA – for all glorious wicker and woven baskets. Hand crafted using traditional techniques Wicka products tell a story. Modern meets traditional across their collections sourced from around the world. The effortless designs will compliment a relaxed and stylish lifestyle. I discovered Wicka recently and have fallen in love with their collections – especially their wicker dog bowls.

Your home style is very personal. It is about creating something that is timeless, elegant and comfortable that reflects the way you wish to live. It is a life to love.

More To Read

Discover Travel Inspired – Home Decor To Covet – another story in The Notebook to discover new life moments.