LATEST DESIGN TRENDS IN ACCORD WITH CLASSIC COASTAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
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GRAYS CONTINUE TO GET REPLACED BY WARMER, EARTHY, CALMING NEUTRALS
Less gray has been the rage for quite some time now.
After years of cool grays and bright whites dominating the design world, people continue to look for more soothing palettes inviting warmth and coziness.
Although white will always have its place in coastal design, trendy luxury beach homes do warm it up. Creamier light neutrals for walls or warm whites are big now, with the use of warmer colors of nature in furnishings including cream, caramels, terra cottas, and ...
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… and brown-based tones.
In the living room, we are seeing warm, calming blues, peach-pinks, corals, and sophisticated neutrals.
The use of warmer finishes on woods has risen in compliance to the rise in earthy color palettes.
If you love your beachy and breezy cool whites and grays so much you never want to let them go, I suggest sprinkling some warmth with warmer-colored pillows, accessories and artwork.
The color greige (gray-beige) may be a good choice for gray-lovers who want to steer away from the old cool gray.
CLASSIC ALL-WHITE KITCHENS GET WARMED UP TOO
All-white kitchens are being phased out more and more.
Although coastal homes will always incorporate the essence of the lighter tones white kitchens offer, updated kitchens add cream and taupe tones or a warmer wood to balance the whites and create a cozier, trendier feel.
GOLD STAYS
I believe gold is back forever, continuing to add class and a luxurious look and feel to beach homes.
We will, hopefully, never see brushed nickel again. This parallels the overarching trend of warm tones over cool tones.
I have recently been loving experimenting with the liberal use of gold accessories and/or tiles with gold color in them to immediately increase the perceived value of homes.
‘BIOPHILIA’ KEEPS TRENDING
'Biophilia' means outdoor-inspired interiors emphasizing the relationship between humankind and nature.
For the last several years, there’s been a hot trend of all things reminding of the exteriors and bringing nature inside.
Outdoor-inspired interiors are created with furniture and accessories made of all-natural, sustainable, organic woods, linens, jute, sisal or hemp, and the use of natural stone accessories and natural slabs of marble and quartzite.
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For residential homes not on the rental market, the biophilia trend is also incorporated with plants and plant-based design features, if owners wish to maintain these.
I’ve enjoyed creating not just beautiful potted plant arrangements but ‘green walls’ with indoor ivy as well as indoor fountains integrated with potted plants.
HANDMADE AND LOCAL FURNITURE WITH “PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS” IS POPULAR
High-end designers have been embracing “perfect imperfections.”
Examples I keep seeing in upscale coastal markets are artisanal tables made from petrified wood, seating or pendants woven in original, unique ways from branches, stools covered in creative arrangements of shell beads, mirrors and furniture artfully integrated with driftwood, shells and real pearls.
All the above is often artfully coordinated with more traditional and luxurious design elements such as gold-colored accessories and statement glass art, as well as natural marble surfaces and/or accessories serving to elevate the look and feel of luxury homes.
ARCHES AND CURVES ARE INCORPORATED
Rounded design elements and curves have been on the rise for a few years now.
The classic linen slip covered sofas used in coastal design are being complemented with round pillows, curvy accent chairs and benches, round ottomans, natural jute or sisal rugs with curvy patterns and other curvy accessories.
Curved architecture is also very of the moment, including arched doorways. Mediterranean architecture and interiors are trendy.
COLOR IS ADDED
'Although coastal design is characterized by light color pallets, a renewed interest in color is one of the trends we’re hearing about most from renowned remodeling professionals.
Whites and light neutrals will always keep dominating coastal design, but nevertheless, coastal luxury homeowners these days seem more adventurous and willing to take a chance on adding touches of color, often with the use of nuanced shades of blues and green, as well as corals, peaches and pale yellows.
Wallpaper is helping fuel the color seen in trendy homes, with high-end designers favoring intriguing patterns to add pop and personality.
STATEMENT GLASS IS HOT
This beautiful trend is often implemented with unique statement lighting including fabulous glass chandeliers.
Statement glass lighting can be used to create a mix of classic glam with more down-to-earth, natural materials and nature-inspired furnishings and accessories. Seeing an oversized glass chandelier in a neutral modern space can look fresh and exciting.
UNPREDICTABLE ACCESSORIES ARE FAVORED
Unique, creative accessories by artists and artisans who work by hand with natural materials including ceramics and wood in unexpected, sophisticated ways are extremely popular.
For an immediate trendy and updated look and feel, get rid of the accessories we see over and over again, replacing them with special pieces.
Unique accessories or artwork can be displayed on pedestals that can serve to anchor any living room in an intriguing way.
I’m not for over-using unexpected design elements and turning the entire look and feel funky/wonky. The popularity of unpredictable accessories doesn't mean getting rid of the more traditional design elements that can be used to sprinkle old-world sophistication and class into homes. The traditional can be artfully blended with more exciting, surprising unique accessories for an even more original look.
TEXTURED TILES ARE BIG
Textured and three-dimensional tiles are being seen everywhere.
From floors and backsplashes, to shower stalls, fireplaces, and even entire walls, tactile tiles give any surface that organic, handcrafted feel, while still holding very subtle contrasts and variations.
The rough textures and refined aesthetic create an elevated focal point without needing additional layers in a room.
USING DESIGN STYLES MATCHING A HOME'S CHARACTER
Pairing modern architecture with modern or mid-century modern interior design, or spanish style architecture with spanish style decor, etc.
I've personally seen amateur decorators stubbornly hang onto their own favorite style in every type of home, or try to be "trendy" at the cost of ignoring a house’s distinctive architectural style or character.
To comply with a house's distinctive style or personality, the decorating styles that I’ve outlined on this page are certainly not the only ones I can implement.
TIMELESS, CLASSIC COASTAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES SUMMARY
Timeless and trendy at the same time – the contemporary trends included here are compatible with the timeless coastal design principles outlined below.
Coastal design is not a fad. It has endured the test of time and will always remain popular. Your trendy and fresh beachy décor put together by Dream Home 30A will not start looking outdated any time soon, because...
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The design elements, furnishings and accessories I’ll be choosing to make your home look trendy will be those that can easily be replaced or adapted to let your home keep up with future design trends, without requiring major costly redesign or renovations. This is because the whole design will be based on these classic coastal design principles:
“In the simplest definition, coastal is beachy. Through use of natural light, soft tones, and a clean aesthetic, coastal design meant to evoke the breeziness of the beach. Basically, it feels like summer year-round inside your house. ‘A coastal space takes its cues from the natural environment for everything from color palette through to materials used,” says Will Taylor, author of Dream Decor, and the blogger behind Bright Bazaar. “The core features are usually jute textures, earth tones, layered blues, whites, stripes, and loose linen upholstery.’ “
“Coastal design keeps it natural. In order to create a relaxed, easy vibe, coastal design usually incorporates many natural elements. This comes in through the furniture, often made out of wicker, rattan, or light, weathered woods, and fabrics. Rugs are generally straw, seagrass, or jute, and fabrics are simple and devoid of shine. You won’t find many metallics or flashy textures, but rather, natural materials or light, billowy fabrics, like sheer curtain panels. Though wood is common, it will usually be white-washed, or a blond maple or ash.”
“White is key. While you might be inclined to picture a bold blue and white palette when you think of coastal, a crisp, white interior is actually more accurate. It’s almost like minimalist design in the sense that less is more, and it favors neutral. Again, it’s all about natural light, so a white room is going to make the space feel even airier.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t accent with color. Though you’ll still want to keep it soft (remember, there is nothing bold about this design), accent colors typically include neutrals, such as a warmer beige or khaki, light blues, greys, and greens. The palette ‘can be adjusted according to taste: true blues and crisp whites for a Med-like vibe; warm whites and pale blue-green shades for a country coastal mix; bright coral paired with sky blue for an exotic coastal style,’ Taylor says.”
“Go slip-covered, or go home. Coastal furniture is meant to feel casual, comfortable, and easy. Natural furniture made from rattan and wicker are common, but too much of a good thing can feel very matchy-matchy, and sometimes a little too busy. To add dimension and keep with the open and airy feel, slip-covered furniture (in light cottons and linen) is a go-to.”
“Let there be tons and tons of light. If you have one thing inside a coastal home, it needs to be abundant light. Interiors should never feel dim or cramped, but rather, light, open, and airy. You want to feel as though there’s no boundary between indoors and outdoors, so large windows, glass doors, and skylights are key. Window treatments are also minimal (so as not to detract from the natural light, obvs).”
