Fun Houzz: You Know You Love Coastal Style When...
If you suspect you’re a coastal style fanatic but need convincing, run through this checklist of 10 telltale signs…
Jo Simmons
9 August 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Even if you live in a landlocked city, miles from the coast, you can still experience the siren call of the sea. Most of us recognise the appeal of the coast, with its sandy bays and windswept cliffs. Some of us, though, can take two weeks in Cornwall and turn it into the blueprint for a whole house, complete with nautical knick-knacks, seashore finds and a breezy colour scheme of blue and white. Sound familiar? Read on for more signs that you love coastal style…
Your walls are full of seascapes
Forget film posters or arty photography, the coastal lover’s walls are hung with painted seascapes, images of yachts and nautical maps. If you can’t conceive of hanging an artwork that doesn’t feature waves or boats, then you have definitely caught the coastal bug.
See how to hang your pictures for maximum impact
Forget film posters or arty photography, the coastal lover’s walls are hung with painted seascapes, images of yachts and nautical maps. If you can’t conceive of hanging an artwork that doesn’t feature waves or boats, then you have definitely caught the coastal bug.
See how to hang your pictures for maximum impact
Your rooms are full of beach finds
If you can’t visit the coast without bringing home pockets full of pebbles and strandline swag, it’s a safe bet you dig the coastal look.
Standing a starfish up by your bath is just the start, though, when it comes to what you do with all this stuff. A true coastal style convert is filling vintage jars with shells, decorating mirror frames with driftwood and pimping their fireplace with pebbles the minute they get through the front door.
If you can’t visit the coast without bringing home pockets full of pebbles and strandline swag, it’s a safe bet you dig the coastal look.
Standing a starfish up by your bath is just the start, though, when it comes to what you do with all this stuff. A true coastal style convert is filling vintage jars with shells, decorating mirror frames with driftwood and pimping their fireplace with pebbles the minute they get through the front door.
You dream of driftwood
Timber washed up on a shore after a long period on the rinse cycle that is the sea has great appeal for anyone committed to coastal style. You can bring the real thing home, or reference it with distressed planks, for that weather-beaten, beach hut feel.
Timber washed up on a shore after a long period on the rinse cycle that is the sea has great appeal for anyone committed to coastal style. You can bring the real thing home, or reference it with distressed planks, for that weather-beaten, beach hut feel.
You adore blue and white
The combination of blue and white brings an instant coastal feel, with a touch of Hamptons sophistication. Check your rooms: if you have some, even just on a duvet cover, you probably are a coastal style fan. Ideally, it should be teamed with soft neutrals and simple, natural materials,
The combination of blue and white brings an instant coastal feel, with a touch of Hamptons sophistication. Check your rooms: if you have some, even just on a duvet cover, you probably are a coastal style fan. Ideally, it should be teamed with soft neutrals and simple, natural materials,
You favour fish
We should all be eating more oily fish, but as far as the coastal style lover is concerned, we should also be adorning our homes with it, too. Pictures are a good place to start, but fishy objects, textiles and ceramics will also go swimmingly!
We should all be eating more oily fish, but as far as the coastal style lover is concerned, we should also be adorning our homes with it, too. Pictures are a good place to start, but fishy objects, textiles and ceramics will also go swimmingly!
You have fitted at least one porthole in your home
Portholes are a dead giveaway. Only true coastal style fans go the whole nautical hog and fit a porthole in a door or wall.
Portholes are a dead giveaway. Only true coastal style fans go the whole nautical hog and fit a porthole in a door or wall.
Your lighting would not look out of place on a trawler
Ships and fishing boats are fitted with distinctive, tough-looking lighting, often in traditional materials such as brass. Luckily for nautical nuts, there are plenty of lights designed for the interior of a home, rather than a captain’s cabin, that rock the same aesthetic.
Ships and fishing boats are fitted with distinctive, tough-looking lighting, often in traditional materials such as brass. Luckily for nautical nuts, there are plenty of lights designed for the interior of a home, rather than a captain’s cabin, that rock the same aesthetic.
You love a nautical knick-knack
From brightly coloured buoys to lifebelts, lengths of rope to ship’s lanterns, you cannot resist a nautical object! If it once belonged on a boat, it’s in.
From brightly coloured buoys to lifebelts, lengths of rope to ship’s lanterns, you cannot resist a nautical object! If it once belonged on a boat, it’s in.
You relish a seaside repeat
Wallpaper is a great way to introduce pattern to your home, but a coastal fanatic will choose a design that sings of the sea. It might feature yachts, fishing boats, naval flags, lighthouses or fish. It won’t, however, feature florals, polka dots or graphic patterns.
Wallpaper is a great way to introduce pattern to your home, but a coastal fanatic will choose a design that sings of the sea. It might feature yachts, fishing boats, naval flags, lighthouses or fish. It won’t, however, feature florals, polka dots or graphic patterns.
You aspire to a sea view
Most of us would simply like a view; any view, really, that includes more than just the back of the neighbour’s house. But true coastal style lovers set the bar higher. They want a sea view. A sandy bay, sweeping coastline, cliffs – the whole nautical nine yards! It’s the only backdrop that will truly complement all the beach finds and fishy objects they have collected, after all.
Browse coastal homes with sensational sea views
TELL US…
Do you know of any other telltale signs that you’re a coastal style fan? Please share them in the Comments below.
Most of us would simply like a view; any view, really, that includes more than just the back of the neighbour’s house. But true coastal style lovers set the bar higher. They want a sea view. A sandy bay, sweeping coastline, cliffs – the whole nautical nine yards! It’s the only backdrop that will truly complement all the beach finds and fishy objects they have collected, after all.
Browse coastal homes with sensational sea views
TELL US…
Do you know of any other telltale signs that you’re a coastal style fan? Please share them in the Comments below.
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I come from a long line of sailors, naval officers and ship's captains, so I used a lot of nods to nautical heritage in my home.
Here are a few more nautical elements I incorporated into my home:
Beautiful house well done. The views are amazing ( and I'm not a sea person....prefer mountains and woods ) The chairs look really comfortable.