Seaside Escape

Bring a Touch of Coastal Elegance To Your Home This Summer

Want to elevate your summer home decor with a more sophisticated take on seaside elegance? With just a few adjustments, you can transform your vacation home into a cool, delightful paradise by the sea without the need for tired or trite design elements.

Embrace the Serenity of a Muted Palette
One of the easiest (and least costly) ways to change up your home’s whole vibe is through paint. For summer homes aching for a touch of the sea, move beyond traditional nautical blues and whites. Instead, opt for a sophisticated palette of sun-faded hues like soft grays, sandy beiges, pale blues, and light washed greens. These tones create a tranquil, airy atmosphere.

To Try: Consider covering your walls in Benjamin Moore’s “Cloud White” or Farrow & Ball’s “Skimming Stone.” Layer in more texture with linen throws in complementary shades.

Drape Your Rooms in Breezy Luxury with Linen and Sheers
Nothing speaks of more elegance than heavy silks, velvet, and brocades, but for summer, you’ll want something far less overwhelming. Replace those heavy curtains with light, flowing linen or sheer drapes. These materials allow natural light to filter through, creating a soft, ethereal glow. Add texture with lighting fixtures and table lamps of metal and stone.

To Try: Explore custom-made linen drapes or ready-made options from brands like Restoration Hardware and Quince.

Handcrafted and Updated Rattan: The Heart of Coastal Chic
Invest in handcrafted rattan furniture to add texture and a touch of artisanal charm. Choose pieces with clean lines and sophisticated designs. Soften up rattan’s lines by layering natural textures in woven rugs, jute baskets, and seagrass accents. These elements add warmth and organic appeal.

To Try:Rattan lounge chairs from Serena & Lily, or a statement rattan bed frame will help elevate your home’s summer look. Consider Arhaus rattan furniture, as well.

Layer Lighting for Ambiance and Depth
Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Lighten the mood by incorporating natural materials such as linen or woven shades. Pendant lights made from natural fibers combine beautifully with recessed lighting to spotlight interesting art or architectural details without adding unnecessary heat.

To Try: Consider Restoration Hardware’s architecturally designed table lamps in cooling materials such as stone and metal.

Invest in Summer-Ready Bedding and Linens
After a full day of summer fun on or near the water, you’ll want to retreat to a cool oasis of your very own. Get there by creating a bedroom sanctuary with luxurious bedding and linens that wick away sweat. Pay special attention to the material; bed linens of cotton (especially percale or poplin), linen and bamboo are best suited for warm summer months. Note: While you might normally be tempted to adhere to the “the higher the thread count, the better the sleep” school of thought, it’s actually better to aim for a 300 to 400 thread count in the summer.

To Try:For crisp white sheets, look at The White Company. For top-shelf percale choices, consider Saatva and Brooklinen. Top it all off with a linen duvet cover, linen quilt and waffle cotton throw from Serena & Lily.

Make the Most of Summer Hues
Don’t feel compelled to redo the entire house at once. Start with paint colors and build out and down from there. Explore digital color tools to put your plan together before you hit the local homeware store or art gallery. Finally, summer is supposed to be laid back, easy, and comfortable. Build out your design concept one element at a time for a more meaningful decor all year long.