Detailed planner, seasoned shopper, & thoughtful creator of easy solutions for the overwhelming design projects in your busy life.
A beach house is a dream, right?
I daydream every year around this time about a little place by the ocean. I daydream about a second home, which then turns into planning a quick jaunt out to the coast for a week. Beach houses are just so laid back, so relaxing.
And yet…
Most of the houses for vacation rentals here in Florida are truly, truly awful. Cheap sofas from the 80’s on top of faux stone floors next to chipped laminate cabinetry. Usually, there’s an unfortunate mirrored wall. And don’t get me started on the wall art! (((shudder)))
An ocean view doesn’t cover bad design. So, today I’m gonna dive deep into 4 different beach house styles, with inspiration and sources for each. Perfect for getting some of that vacation style in your everyday home.
To the beach!
You can jump straight to the style you’re interested in here:
Beach houses come in all shapes and sizes and are located all over the globe. But no matter the size, location, or even the age of any beach house, a great one usually has the four following things:
Your bare feet are on weathered decking, a ceiling fan is lazily spinning overhead, and a cold ‘coozied’ cocktail is in your hand. After you finish this paperback you found on the bookcase, you’ll go back through that screen door for some of that leftover cold shellfish for lunch. You’re thinking about firing up the grill for dinner again before watching the sunset out on the beach. You sleep with the windows open each night to catch the gentle sounds of the waves…
Where you’ll find a Coastal Cottage:
Entire American Gulf Coast
Southern American Atlantic Coast (except Miami)
Northeast American Atlantic Coast
Inspiration for a Coastal Cottage:
Designing a Coastal Cottage:
Shopping for a Coastal Cottage:
WALL & CEILING PAINT | WINDOW TREATMENT | WALL TILE | FLOORING
SOFA | TABLE | LAMP | PILLOWS: LEFT, RIGHT
HEADBOARD | CABINET | ART | RUG
BEADS | VASE | THROW | BARSTOOL
You dig your toes deeper into the sand as you re-apply sunscreen. It’s time to move the lounge chair back under the shade of the umbrella again. You stretch back out and watch the waves roll in as you decide in your mind what to wear out to dinner at that little place down the beach. You head back inside when the heat builds in the afternoon, and watch the breeze softly blow the linen drapes through the open terrace door. After dinner, you enjoy a cool glass of wine out there and watch the sunset over the water…
Where you’ll find a Modern Retreat:
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Malibu, California
Ibiza, Spain
Inspiration for a Modern Retreat:
Designing a Modern Retreat:
Shopping for a Modern Retreat:
PAINT | DRAPERY | WALL TILE | HARDWOOD
FLOOR LAMP | TABLE LAMP | OBJECT | THROW
You woke up early to greet the waves with a smile. A morning out in the water was exactly what you needed today. After a bite to eat at that little place by your house, you unload the gear and rinse off in the outdoor shower. An afternoon nap in the hammock and a cold drink is all you need to get ready for the party on the beach tonight. You fix a quick dinner in the tiny kitchen with the cute fridge and then head down the to the water with your friends. You can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow…
Where you’ll find a Surf Shack:
Atlantic Coast of Florida
Like, All of Hawaii
Coastal California, but especially Santa Cruz
Inspiration for a Surf Shack:
Designing a Surf Shack:
Shopping for a Surf Shack:
PANELING | ROMAN SHADE | WALL TILE | FLOORING
SOFA | DINING SET | VASE | SIDE TABLE
BOARDS: LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT | CREDENZA | WALL HANGING | CHAIR
LAMP | THROW | PAINTING | FRIDGE
After a breakfast with the freshest fruit juice you’ve ever tasted, you’re headed out on an adventure. Yesterday snorkeling, today a boat ride to a private beach, tomorrow the market in town – and amazing tacos everywhere. You take an early evening swim after a quick afternoon nap in the deep shade of the main room that opens to the courtyard. A relaxed dinner at the nearby restaurant leaves you ready to watch the sunset from your patio, with the sea breeze lulling you to sleep through the open shutters…
Where you’ll find a Tropical Getaway:
Baja Peninsula, Mexico
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Inspiration for a Tropical Getaway:
Designing a Tropical Getaway:
Shopping for a Tropical Getaway:
PAINT | SHUTTERS | ACCENT TILE | FLOOR TILE
WALL HANGING | SOFA | PILLOWS: PINK, PINK PATTERN, YELLOW, BLUE LUMBAR, WHITE SQUARE | SIDE TABLE
CHAIR | LANTERNS | CABINET | COFFEE TABLE
RUG | BED FRAME | VASE | CONSOLE
Well, now you’ve seen into my daydreams.
I hope this fun jaunt into the beach houses of the world was a fun little escape for you and gave you lots of ideas on how to bring the vacation home with you.
If you ever want help with your own beach escape – PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! No really, I’m not kidding… Not only will you get a great design but also the most loyal AirBNB customer you’d ever want.
Here’s to sandy toes, frosty beverages, and the sound of the waves at sunset!
Get that vacation style everyday with inspiration and sources for your beach house.
Detailed planner, seasoned shopper, & thoughtful creator of easy solutions for the overwhelming design projects in your busy life.
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