BEACH
HOMES & DÉCOR: WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?
Today's post is brought to you by Nicole LoCicero who is the Owner/Blogger at BeachDecorShop.com, an online
coastal decor store, that since 2003 has featured a variety of products
and styles to make your beach house (or landlocked house) a relaxing,
personalized place for family and friends to enjoy.
The beach life is grand.
Everyone knows that and too few get to truly enjoy it. Most people can only
manage brief getaways to the shore where they tolerate hotel rooms and gobs of
fellow tourists for a few searing hours on the beach. Perhaps there’s a fancy
dinner featuring the catch of the day or some fishing conquests sizzling on the
grill. Other than some shopping and strolls along the boardwalk, that’s about
the closest many will get to the beach life.
There are some who do call the
beach home or are able to split significant time between the shore and another
residence. For those fortunate enough to make this possible have a variety of
options when it comes to building styles & decorations. The most common
styles for coastal homes in the United States vary and are driven largely by
location and taste.
The Spanish Revival
inspired beach home is predominantly found along the coast of Florida and
California. Most notable of this style
are soft earth tones, stucco walls, terracotta roof tiles and of course palm
trees. Some other characteristics include curves, tile flooring, tower like
chimneys, balconies, ornamental ironwork, wooden doors and courtyards and
patios. Apart from the terracotta roofs, the most telling feature of this style
are arcades, which is an arch (or series of arches) that are supported by
columns, and used to shelter walkways or entrances.
The interior of these homes
can, of course, be decorated in a variety of styles, but you will typically find
rich, dark colors. Furniture made of
heavy, solid wood, stained to deep mahogany, or cherry colors. Room colors and
fabric choices tend to also be rich reds, tans and browns to create warm
feeling reminiscent of Spanish sunsets.
Another popular style of beach
home, particularly in the north eastern part of the country, is known as the
Cape Cod. These homes are designed to blend into their surroundings and
landscape, covered unpainted shingles or clapboarding. After a period of time and exposure to the
elements this exterior develops a muted gray color. The decorative centerpiece of the traditional
Cape Cod is the front door, which often painted in a contrasting color and
bears a welcoming wreath. Windows are
typically painted white and bear shutters to protect against strong nor’easter
storms. Landscaping is usually kept to a minimum, but the home can have a white
picket fence and detached garage.
On the interior the most
important design element is trim color.
Mantels, interior doors and cabinets are painted white and most rooms
feature similarly painted wood trim, including crown molding. Typically hard
wood floors contrast well against such a clean, modern look. Fabrics and furniture tend to mirror this theme,
being light, airy colors such as sea green, light blue, yellow and white. The
walls, shelves and other furniture are often complimented with nautical and beach style
pillows and décor, that tie the exterior oasis to the indoors.
Most often found on
the West Coast, the modern style of beach home architecture is easily the most
independent. The exterior of these home
feature clean, square lines, boxes shapes and large windows. Simple elegance is
the name of the game for owners of these homes as most often white walls
compliment the simple, yet contrasting lines of dark features like hand rails
or trellises. Another glaring feature is the extensive use of glass so as to
provide the most expansive, unobstructed ocean views possible. Because of the
use of glass, many elements of these homes appear to float.
The simple elegance of most
modern beach homes continues as you cross the front threshold as you find
yourself surrounded by white walls, floors and ceilings. Minimalistic straight
lines are seen throughout a large, open living space that seem to simply
dissolve into the next. The kitchen is
often void small appliances or anything else on the counters. Many modern beach houses defy the laws of
gravity using stairs that seem to float in place. The use of glass is often played up as
well. Furniture tends to be functional,
minimalistic and white save for random explosions of color from various accent
pieces strewn throughout. Fabric is not
often a focal point of the interiors of modern homes.
Between these three extremes
of typical beach homes there exist variations of cottages, bungalows and other
styles. No matter your tastes, it’s
clear that when your dream comes true, your beach home is waiting for you,
décor and all.
Thanks Nicolle for blogging on sealaura!
Which Beach House style is your favorite?
I drool for modern but realistically a surfers shack /beach cottage are more my idea of true beachy lifestyle. The life where sandy feet are welcome and bikes and surfboards are left casually about
ReplyDeleteI am with you Anita! I love the modern look but I also wouldn't mind a boho beach hut!
ReplyDeleteI adore the modern look although the one here - nice as it is - would be high maintenance. I can't help but think of the constant glass-cleaning (salt spray, sand) and depending on where it's located, possibly hurricane preps. Again, all that glass! :D
ReplyDeleteEven though I left it all behind, I'm still good with beach shack/concrete block waterfront living.
I am torn between the shaked and the modern.
ReplyDelete