Beach House 101: Bringing the Sea Home
You probably saw the title of this post and thought, “great! just what I need…another blog to tell me about seashells in the bathroom and glass lamps with starfish in them wrapped in rope” …. well, you would be wrong. We all know that any mass retailer rolls this fare out in the summer, trying to capitalize on the beach fever of those who are landlocked. I think that all of that is just wrong wrong wrong. Unless you specifically HAVE a beach house, that paraphernalia will look strange come winter. I think to bring the beach into your home, you have to take a broader look at your space from a design point of view, and ask, “what will give me a beach-like feeling (operative word!!!!) without looking like I live on Martha’s Vineyard 365 days a year in a perpetual August?”.
There are three ways to get the feeling (as opposed to the look): Color, Texture and Objects.
The beach is a sensory experience for the eyes above all. And color is the reason. After all, the beach reminds one of so many shades – water tones (which vary from bright blue to deep green), the variety of sand shades, the sky during various times of fay, the dunes and the native grasses, the shells, the found objects, etc. The easiest way to infuse a beach feeling is through color, and while everyone thinks bright blue and beige are the ultimate beachy colors for home decor, they are actually anything but. Those colors are not relaxing and don’t immediately evoke last summer in the Hamptons. Instead, give your space colors that remind you of the ultimate beach in your mind….that vacation you’ve been dreaming of, far away. It’s calming, cool, relaxing and mid-toned. Blues that are reminiscent of water should have some green and some gray to them, and never be too bright or too dark. And to recreate the feel of sand, it’s more realistic to do muted gray/beiges to off-white. To get this, I have selected the Ultimate Beach Palette for your beachy room (all colors are Benjamin Moore). Use these colors as reference points, which can be picked up in fabrics for draperies, pillows, etc. This palette is a “shore thing”!
Azores - Harbor Haze
Solitude - Coastline
Refined - Sea Haze - Wish
For texture, every surface is worth considering. The beach is sand grains and driftwood and water and rocks and dry skin! Leave no surface untouched. My favorite idea for a beach feel for texture is using grasscloth wallpaper. It’s back! And it comes in so many colors (hot pink!!!!). My favorites are by Schumacher and Philip Jeffries, and I used the one on the left (in photos below) for a client who wanted a “Tulum beach feel” to a master bedroom. Also, the grasscloth is great for lampshades, doors, etc. Why not?
Grasscloth Wallpaper
For added texture, I would suggest paying attention to the windows and floors. A window gets the beach effect with gauzy off-white curtains that could blow with an open window. Or some rugged raw canvas, as in a boat’s sail. Both of these ideas can go for any decor style; grommet the canvas for a modern feel, or pinch-pleat the gauzy drapes for a more tailored yet casual feel. If that’s not your style, why not try split bamboo shades? The floor is another prime opportunity to bring in the beach. If you have a wood floor, and are willing, a coat of porch and floor paint will certainly make you feel like you are in a beach house! In the winter, cover it up with an area rug! Or if paint isn’t your thing, try a jute or sisal area rug, or any natural fiber rug that will add texture to your feet and keep you in the palette.
Painted Wood Floors Jute Area Rug
Objects will tie it all together and give a subtle nod to the beach. If you are into antiques, perhaps an old anchor, leaning in a corner will give some kick. Maybe a vintage life vest hung over a mantle. If you want a striking centerpiece, how about a large conch shell or piece of coral, on a table covered in a gorgeous glass bell jar? The focus will be on the whole piece, and not just the sea treasure it holds. Also, I like the jewel tones of beach glass. They are a great kick of color, whether in mosaic table tops, in a bowl or placed in a very simple cylindrical glass vase. The look can be made modern by getting various sizes of glass cylinders and filling them with beach glass of a single color (and repeated with other colors). However, if you don’t have it on hand, beach glass can be found in new bottles and vases, vintage and reclaimed large and tall vessels, etc. In these photos, the pieces scream “beach glass!” and can be placed anywhere you need a kick.
Glass Objects Made Of Found Beach Glass
Two other object ideas are natural. Driftwood and plants. Driftwood is the ultimate beach souvenir. Placed on a mantle, hung on a wall, standing in a corner or lying on a console table behind a sofa, this is a powerful beach-like element that never seems out of place. Lastly, try some air plants. They are wonders of nature, require no water and are very reminiscent of those found on the shores of the western part of the US. Tuck one in a special shell or even just a pretty bowl.
Just Like Being In A Dune!
In the end, it’s important to find your ultimate “beach” feel. If a beach reminds you of calm and peacefulness, then that is what you should add to your room. Starfish and mounted seahorses might not be all there is!
Joe Armenia is the founder of Campagna, a hybrid design/management company founded in New York.
Joe is a former entertainment marketing executive who gave up show business to placate his inner design junkie. Joe started the company after restoring, renovating and designing his first weekend home, a century old farmhouse in New York’s Hudson Valley. That small beginning led to a bi-coastal company, specializing in "creative curation", staging, color consultation and property design and management.
Currently, Joe designs and manages residences in both San Francisco and New York City.
