2008 Coastal Living Idea House Jean Allsopp
You all know I am in love with coastal style. Besides the fact that I love the lifestyle that it represents (which is the key to an authentic style), I love that there are all kinds of interpretations of “coastal.” I think our homes should be unique and not a carbon copy of someone else’s home.
Whether you live on the east coast, the west coast or have lived or traveled abroad, you may interpret your style differently. Be authentic! My “coastal style” tends to land loosely over on the British Colonial side, due to my love of European travel, experiences near the sea, the love of tropical islands and furnishings I’ve inherited or gathered over time. If you are not familiar with that look you can read about it here.
I think I am undergoing a bit of a style metamorphosis, where I am wanting to freshen everything up a bit, but still keep what I have. In my new house, being that it is actually in the Puget Sound area and within view of a lake, I am excited to take the coastal look up a notch and have some fun with it. I think I am also having a serious case of spring fever and am craving a breezy warm sunny day on the beach.
Coastal Living (photo: Erica George & Tria Gloven)
via Coastal Living’s Daily Catch blog
In most of the rooms in my house, I always work with what I have in the way of furnishings. I will incorporate new things and mix up or reinvent old things, but I don’t start over and buy all new furniture. But bathrooms are a great place to try something fresh because if your bathroom is in decent shape, a makeover usually just involves some paint, a shower curtain and some accessories.
When I peeked over at Coastal Living’s website this weekend, I swooned because one of their blogs showcased just what I was looking for, inspiration for my bathrooms!
Coastal Living (photo: Erica George & Tria Gloven)
via Coastal Living’s Daily Catch blog
I’m especially excited to work on my powder room, because it is so small! That means I can easily make an impact. I have always wanted a designated guest bath, so I am wanting this bathroom to be special.
I am also looking forward to working my son’s bathroom because I can make it fun for him. As the only child left full time at our house (both of his sisters have flown the coop to college), I can finally play up his boyishness with a bathroom he will love. And what is not to love about being a boy on the coast?
Here are 10 Coastal Style ideas:
(featured in these images)
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Create a nautical style rope to hang towels
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Use weathered shutters to make a subtle statement
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Tasteful map wallpaper (or artwork) in small doses brings in the sense of travel and adventure by sea
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A vanity painted blue gives a bathroom an instant nautical boost
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Tropical plants are the perfect “green” touch for a bringing the island feel inside
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Striped rugs (I love Dash and Albert) give a great coastal feel to your floor
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Think subtle touches like red stripes on towels rather than tacky tourist accessories
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Lighter walls in pale colors look airy and refreshing
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Remove heavy curtains and go with bare windows or breezy sheers or shutters
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Wainscoting adds coastal cottage texture in interest to a room
I’m so ready to kick off my shoes and dig my toes in a sandy beach! And bringing a little coastal ambience inside is the next best thing to actually being there.
Need more coastal inspired ideas?
Coastal Cottage Kitchen Inspiration
Our Little Escape & Coastal Drive Bys
