Modern Beach Decorating

Modern beach decorating centers on creating an experience of a comfortable, casual vacation atmosphere that suggests there is a beach nearby. This is created by choosing a color palette in light, sun-washed colors coupled with larger, comfortable furniture and accent tables and pieces that are lightly worn. Bringing this look together often requires antique shopping over time and keeping an eye out for vintage-looking items at regular home design stores. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Collect photographs and magazine clippings of the type of colors and furnishings you like and want to use in your new beach decor.

2

Vary the color of walls and furnishings from room to room. Use a color fan to select light, beachy colors that have the same tonal value. When you look at a color fan there will be at least six color chips on each card. At one end is the lightest version of that color and on the other end the darkest version. In between you have colors with a specific tonal value. When you select colors, pick from the same position on each card to choose a color of the same tonal value in a different shade.

3

Carry a thread of white through each room to make all of the rooms feel cohesive. Maintain white baseboards, white ceilings and a selection of antiqued white furnishings. It is also common to see white introduced in slipcovers; even if the cover is striped or floral it will still have a strong white background.

4

Pick overstuffed, large sofas and chairs for the main gathering room. These should feel soft and comfortable, not fussy. Select a large coffee table made of old wood that has a distressed and comfortable appearance, inviting people to put their feet on the table.

5

Choose a few beach elements such as an Adirondack chair, made comfortable with casual pillows in a reading corner. Curtains should be white background with a simple, light-colored print. For rooms where privacy isn't a concern, consider using sheers or plantation shutters instead of formal draperies.

6

Collections of beach elements such as sand, shells and driftwood should be restrained inside one larger container rather than placed on every table and surface. Choose folk art and weathered Americana for art and accent pieces. Maintain a bookcase filled with contemporary award-winning books from children's to adult to invite people to borrow a book and find a sunny corner to enjoy it.

7

Stock guest closets with snorkel and beach gear. Place extra beach-size towels in every bathroom along with sample size sunblock with a note inviting guests to take and keep the bottle. Place an over-the-door shoe holder inside the foyer closet full of pairs of flip flops in all sizes for guests who left theirs at home. Keep an umbrella stand filled with sun shades near the door and a bowl full of wacky plastic sunglasses on hand. These small reminders that this is a beach house will help people relax and have fun.