There’s more than one way to create a beachy look in your home. On these pages, the folks at Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design in Brielle, NJ, show us three distinctive takes on beach house décor. They range from understated to sophisticated to youthful, but each pays homage in some way to sand and sea.
Soft blues and sandy taupes give this space a subtle beachy vibe.
Anchor the room: Gershenfeld started the process by selecting a deep stain for the hardwood floor.
Set the mood: The designer chose a palette that subtly reflects sand, shells and the sea. Light tans, creamy whites and misty blues are great color choices to keep the entire space balanced. Patterned accent pillows add interest.
Think nature: Bring outside elements in. Choose furniture, textiles and accessories made from natural elements, such as the kitchen and dining room seating here made of wood and rattan. Accent pieces include coral sculpture and sea glass.
The conspicuous color in this room is “coral.” Accessories representing the real thing adorn the book shelves.
Rich coral walls and fabrics stand out against the room’s neutral foundation.
Though coral (as in reef) is a seashore décor mainstay, designer Jennifer Karwan took it a step further in this Spring Lake, NJ, home using coral (as in the color) in one of its deepest incarnations. The rich tone in this space is almost autumnal, but is used with restraint—on the top half of the walls and in the designs on the barstool backs and throw pillows—for a sophisticated look. The rest of the room is neutral to create a space that’s warm, but not oppressive.
Embrace moderation: The coral theme is both relaxed and sophisticated. Here, it’s used sparingly in the fabric and the deep wall color.
Create balance: Custom accent pillows and barstool backs in the same shade as the walls ensure a sense of equilibrium in the room.
Go the custom fabric route: “It will help you define your own space,” Karwan says.
Maritime-themed throw pillows add a special touch to seashore sleepovers.
In this room in the same Spring Lake residence, Karwan went for a classic kids’ seashore look, incorporating anchors and whales into a navy blue palette.
Try weathered-wood faux paint on the walls: It adds depth to the space and has a vintage, seafaring feel.
Go classic with a twist: The bedding eschews the standard navy and white for the softer, more unexpected look of navy paired with cream. Coordinating carpet and window treatments tie the room together.
Add decorative pillows: They set a tone, and they’re easy to replace as tastes change.
Overall: design, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design in Brielle. Understated Sophistication: wall color, Ice Cap by Benjamin Moore; kitchen stools, Lexington Home Brands; kitchen light fixtures, Currey & Co.; custom striped wool rug, Barrier Island Rugs in Atlanta; armchairs, Vanguard Furniture with fabric from Beacon Hill; ottoman, Vanguard with fabric from Kravet; sofa, Vanguard Furniture; custom pillow fabrics, Jane Churchill for Cowtan & Tout; throw and accessories, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design; host and hostess dining chairs, Furniture Classics Ltd. in Norfolk, Virginia; side chairs in dining area, GuildMaster in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania; chandelier over dining table, Currey & Co.; dining table, Bernhardt. Slightly Unexpected: wall color, Salmon Stream by Benjamin Moore; barstools, Artistica Home in Ventura, California; coral print fabric, Cowtan&Tout; vinyl fabric on bar stool seats, Fabricut; armchairs, Sherrill Furniture with indoor/outdoor fabric from Kravet; cocktail ottomans, Sherrill Furniture with vinyl fabric from Robert Allen Design; sofas, Century Furniture; custom ottomans with coral check cushions, designed by Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design with fabric from Cowtan&Tout; area rug, Fabrica Fine Carpet & Rugs in Santa Ana, California; end table, Accents Beyond in High Point, North Carolina; custom window treatment panels and valance, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design with fabric from Thibaut and trim from Duralee Fabrics & Fine Furniture; custom decorative pillows, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design with fabrics from Cowtan & Tout; accessories, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design; game chairs (in corner next to built-in shelving), Artitalia in Secaucus with vinyl fabric from Robert Allen Design. A Whimsical Look: daybed with trundle, Universal Furniture Inc.; twin beds with storage drawers, Stanley Furniture; coverlets and decorative toss pillows, Eastern Accents in Chicago; custom pillow shams, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design; sconces, Visual Comfort in Houston; carpet, Fibreworks in Louisville, Kentucky; table lamp, Coast Lamp Shop in Canton, North Carolina; custom window valances, Lawrence-Mayer Interior Design with fabric and trim from Eastern Accents; pleated window shades, Graber in Montgomery, Pennsylvania; decorative painting on shiplap walls, DJM Designs in Ocean Gate.