Vintage coastal style has a pared-down simplicity which can be reached very easily. The most essential point to remember is that this is a classic appearance, so avoid driftwood shell or hearts garlands. That is all about elegance — a restrained color palette and blank lines.
That I live in Cornwall, a peninsula on the southwest tip of England, almost entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. With its marine heritage, history of smugglers and varied coastline, there is a definite coastal theme to insides here. But if you live from the sea or not, a classic coastal appearance can still feel at home in your house should you stick to a few simple ideas.
Blues — from heavy, inky indigo to classic powder blue — and neutrals — from pure white to ecru — supply the best starting point for your materials palette. Use matte finishes, both in textiles and paint. Pure linen, raw silk and even humble cotton ticking can look very sophisticated. Take advantage of these cloths for pencil-pleat drapes with a contrasting border on the top edge and bottoms, or pipe some cushions at a plain color to select up the stripe. If you would like to use a cheap cloth, calico is good — just make sure you make your drapes really full to find that luxurious appearance.
Here are some more substances to play on your very own classic coastal appearance.
ZeroEnergy Design
Nautical Prints
Take 1 model boat and combine it with a nautically inspired background, and you get a classic spin on the classic coastal appearance. I just love this mix — it’s easy, and it works in any area.
lewisandwood.co.uk
Fabric – GBP 52.80
Get the look: Taken from an 18th-century book of nautical drawings, this background and cloth from Lewis & Wood gives a distinct nautical feel to any area. With its sharp seaside feel, it’s ideal for beach homes and bathrooms.
Lewis & Wood is a cloth house I always turn to if I need something different; it’s quintessentially English, with eclectic prints in exquisite and odd colorways.
Zoffany
Trade Routes Wallpaper
Trade Routes, this background, is from Zoffany. It is a beautiful layout that would work in any area. Additionally, it comes in silk for soft furnishings. Mix it up with stripes to get much more of an eclectic coastal feel.
Austin Patterson Disston Architects
Blue and White Fabrics
Vintage coastal is simple to attain with a strict color palette of blue and white. Keep things clear with this magnificent contrast on furnishings. The borders on the top edge of these drapes add to the look.
Lighthouse Stripe Fabric – GBP 53
Get the look: Use this classic stripe anywhere in your room to get an instant classic coastal appearance. Mix up the management of the stripes to get visual layering. Designers Guild has a massive range of prints and plain weaves, which makes it effortless to set a soft decor strategy together.
gpjbaker.com
Whitechapel Denim – GBP 31
This is the best blue for your coastal scheme. Additionally, it has a lovely texture, which makes it ideal for cushions and upholstery.
Visbeen Architects
Natural Floor Coverings
deep blue walls, white woodwork and also a natural floor covering gives this beautiful bedroom a traditional, contemporary feel. Try out coir or sea grass in your own floors.
Get the look: I am a big fan of natural floor coverings, such as sea grass, shown here. They can be hard wearing and work well in both contemporary and traditional settings.
The Little Greene Paint Company
Shirting Intelligent Matt Emulsion Paint
This is a fantastic white for your coastal color scheme. It’s a white with a lot of minerals that are natural rather than an optical brightner.
I always recommend using good-quality paint. Some of my customers have come unstuck when attempting to match a color with a cheaper brand, and they are disappointed as it appears completely different. Better paints often contain as many as five times longer pigment and much more binder than thinner paints, giving them a depth of color that is unique. My advice would be to use the best paint you can afford.
coloursoflondon.co.uk
Bond Street Paint
This is a lovely deep blue to set off white upholstery or soft furnishings at a more refined classic coastal area.
Philip Clayton-Thompson
White Linen and Wood
Slipcovers in neutrals are great for a classic appearance. Create fascination with textured fabrics for cushions and throws.
If you’re lucky enough to have a house right by the beach, (or even in the event that you don’t) hardwood flooring not only are practical but look very tasteful. For an elegant look, use bleached wood floorboards. Or, if you would like to give your space a more traditional feel, then proceed for some dark wood planks in a wide breadth.
villanova.co.uk
Avignon Fabric – GBP 44
Get the look: This beautiful textured weave is great for soft furnishings or upholstery. I love this off-white shade — it looks great with everything.
Exquisite Surfaces
Antique French Oak
These antique boards have a lovely patina, and also the broader breadth makes a room look very tasteful.
mandara.com.au
American White Oak, Lime Wash
These wide-width planks are wonderful for the classic coastal appearance. Look at utilizing a paler wood if your area is on the small side or doesn’t get a great deal of natural lighting.
More: Elements of Classic Coastal Style
