How to Expertly Create a Modern Coastal Furniture Style in Your Home
Faith Led Interior Design Show | Episode 8
Do you know what your Interior Design Style or Styles are? Are you wondering if you even have a style? Ok, here’s a big hint: we all do have a style! But the big question is, do you want to know what your Interior Design Furniture Style is?
Today’s episode is the third of a 12-part Interior Design Furniture Styles Series called, “What Is My Furniture Style?” The furniture style I talk about is the Transitional Furniture Style called the Modern Coastal Furniture Style. It is a fun and vacation-like style.
So if you want to create a space that feels at once cozy and coastal, crisp and sleek, with an evocative beach appeal, this episode is for you. And if you have been blessed with a stunning beach view, then you won't want to miss this episode.
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Listen to the Episode
How to Expertly Create a Modern Coastal Furniture Style in Your Home
This Bible verse is perfect for this episode as it talks about how the Lord loves us more than the sand on the seashores…
Be Blessed Verse:
“Every single moment You are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that You cherish me constantly in Your every thought! O God, Your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, You’re still with me.” - Ps 139:17-18 - TPT - The Passion Translation
The Bible also says:
God is love. 1 John 4:16b
I love to put these two verses together. If God is love and His thoughts toward us are more than the sand on the seashores, that means that all of His thoughts toward us are only loving, because He IS Love.
It is unimaginable how much He loves us. He is in a good mood. He is kind, loving and full of grace toward us.
This is so comforting to me, and I hope it is comforting to you too, today, and all throughout the week.
“What Is My Furniture Style” Series
I will be covering 12 Interior Design Furniture Styles in a series called, “What is my Furniture Style?”, from episodes 6 - 17. These Furniture Styles are the most common furniture styles in the current furniture market.
There are 3 versions of the Transitional Furniture Style. There are more, but these are the main 3 transitional furniture styles that I see being used in the current market:
Classic Transitional Furniture Style which I discussed in episode 6.
Glam Dramatic Furniture Style which I discussed in episode 7
Modern Coastal Furniture Style which is what this episode is about.
These Transitional Styles are the first 3 of a 12-episode series.
What is nice is that after you listen to today’s episode, The Modern Coastal Furniture Style, visit my website and go to Sheree’s Shop, and scroll down to the style that you just learned about today, which is the Modern Coastal Furniture Style.
There you will find many pictures of the Modern Coastal Furniture Style. You will see sofas, sectionals, coffee tables, end tables, table and floor lamps, accessories, and area rugs. These items are in many price ranges. This helps you see some examples of what furnishings and accessories in this style look like with real current examples.
The styles in the “What is My Furniture Style?” series are broken down into 4 main categories that also coincide with the Interior Design Personality Quiz in Episode 3 where you answered As, Bs, Cs, and Ds. For more information on this, go to Episode 3 - My Interior Design Personality Quiz.
The Four Main Interior Design Style Categories
1 | TRANSITIONAL FURNITURE STYLES:
Classic Transitional - Episode 6
Glam Dramatic - Episode 7
Modern Coastal - Episode 8
2 | TRADITIONAL FURNITURE STYLES:
Classic Traditional - Episode 9
Farmhouse - Episode 10
Country or Provincial - Episode 11
3 | CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE STYLES:
Executive Efficient -Episode 12
Industrial - Episode 13
Mid Century Modern - Episode 14
4 | ETHNIC FURNITURE STYLES:
My Country _________: France, China, Scandinavia, India, etc. - Episode 15
Mediterranean - Episode 16
Bohemian - Episode 17
Origins of the Modern Coastal Furniture Design Style
The Modern Coastal Style has been popular in all the beach areas and really water areas since the beginning of time.
But now, I believe this Modern Coastal Style has gotten so sophisticated and it can be sooo beautifully classy.
Imagine yourself sitting at the beach, the sun is just right and there is a subtle ocean breeze that is calming and exciting your soul. Inviting, resort-like, relaxing, calming, natural materials, lovely views and setting, and on and on…I can really drift off into this one, LOL!
Modern coastal interior design aims to create a sense of calm. It blends the sleek minimalism of a modern design with the beachy feel of coastal design. The result is typically a space filled with clean lines, soft coastal colors, and subtle touches, bringing in the beachy surroundings. It is an interpretation of the beach itself, open, airy, and calming.
The vibe is subtly relaxed and casual where elements of the sand, sky, and surf all collide in a beautifully neutral palette with punctuations of often many tones and shades of neutrals like the sand and several shades of blues, aquas, yellow tones, and greens as accents.
Wood tones look fabulous with this style. The wood can be rough like driftwoods or very smooth like a bar countertop.
Blend the coastal today with the classic transitional (episode 6) modern design and you have an interior that continues to be a classic interior design styling that is built on the art of balance between comfort and sophistication.
Transitional style thoughtfully mixes these two styles - modern and coastal - to create beautiful contemporary spaces with timeless design.
The Modern Coastal Style embraces casual, comfortable furnishings to create a cozy day on the beach interior.
The Personality Style of a Person Loving The Modern Coastal Style
Usually likes a casual elegance, although these rooms can be very casual or very formal…
Likes dramatic rooms that are staged for impact
Works hard and play hard
Many times these people have their awards, diplomas, trophies, and special achievements displayed on their walls and shelves
Do not mind being the center of attention
Furnishings are usually overscaled and casually elegant
Accessories usually are few and large in scale
Usually sits in a prominent position or at the head of the table
Lighting plays a large role in their interiors. It is used to draw attention, take the eye to the focal point or a prime accessory piece and create moods and drama in a room
Is in shape and in charge
Can be fun-loving, think boating and volleyball on the beach
Fashion aware: the dress is informal to elegant, and always classy
Likes items that stimulate, are conversation starters and are unique.
Styling Ideas for The Modern Coastal Style
Welcoming, cleanable and informal sisal, and seagrass rugs
Transitional sofas and chairs as a base with clean silhouettes and sleek lines
Slipcovered furnishings can work with this furniture style
Windows or whole walls that open up to an indoor-outdoor feeling
Fans with or without lights are used extensively in this style
Glass and plexiglass can be design elements that complement this style
Sea glass beads. vases, or even lamps
Flowing in the wind detailed and gauzy linen drapery
Wood shutters can be elegant and functional at the same time
Natural neutral texture or linen as a sofa or chairs fabric
Rope baskets can be quite subtle and pretty
White or wood ceiling beams
Woven ceiling materials can add to the esthetic of this style
Pillows can add beautiful touches of color, both dark and light
Large accent seashells or seashell mirrors
Ocean scents - but be careful not to get too knichy…
Driftwood pieces blend and light natural woods look gorgeous in this style
Fun beach music or soft music, unless you are having a party, of course
Abstract art to go along with the modern styling
Ocean art can be soft and pretty with this style
Small details like sisal fringe on pillows can add a pretty natural feel
Coastal lighting fixtures contain shells, woven and sisal materials, or wood beads
Always natural materials are used to complement the ocean esthetic
Color Scheme
A no-fail color scheme is white and blue. Layer that with various neutrals. Sand has sooo many neutral tones.
Be creative. You may throw in a dark or black piece to add drama and contrast for effect, or as an accent here and there.
To bring a coastal cottage look to your home, dress the walls with painted white woodwork detail like board and batten, beadboard wainscoting, and white-washed paneled walls. Slip covered furnishings fit with this cottage style also.
Try to keep wood flooring and tables in a light finish. Think weathered wood, driftwood tones, whitewashed, natural maples, ash and bamboo.
Calm and soothing, coastal chic design allows you to bring a bit of beachside living into your home.
If there is a fabulous view, be sure to highlight that. Perhaps the view is the focal point of the room.
But even if you are nowhere near the ocean, it is possible to have this calm, relaxed feeling even if you live in the city or the suburbs.
Designer Pro Tip
For the Modern Coastal Interior Design style, skip the kitsch for a more lasting and sophisticated vibe.
Pass on the Surfer Style, no surfboards.
Pass also on the Nautical Style. The Nautical Style explicitly references sailors and emulates the interior of a working, sailing ship. No porthole mirrors or fishing poles and nets.
No fish draperies, lol. This is not the look here. It is too overboard, so to speak (pun intended).
Instead, the Coastal Style emulates the relaxing feeling and environment of a beach. Keep it simple, natural, and elegant for the most beautiful, classic, and lasting style.
Done well this style is very classic and will not have to be updated for years to come.
What Is Your Design Personality Style?
If you have not taken the Design Personality Style Quiz, go to Episode #3 to take it.
It is important to determine both your Design Personality Style and your Furniture Style.
The personality quiz is designed to work along with your furniture style. It is important to establish your interior design personality style first because it helps to determine your interior design furniture style.
Once you determine both your Interior Design Personality and your Furniture Style, it makes shopping so much easier and less stressful. The reason is that you now shop only for your personality and furniture styles. It eliminates all the other personality types and furniture styles that really are not yours.
Determine your personality style and furniture style or styles first and then continue with your interior design plan.
What’s Next For You?
For all of you nostalgic people, loving the days gone by, next week I will start talking about the Traditional Furniture Styles.
The 3 TRADITIONAL FURNITURE STYLES are
Classic Traditional
Farmhouse
Country or Provincial
These traditional styles are beautiful, classic, lasting, and romantic.
Hmmm, will it be your style?
Examples of the Modern Coastal Furniture Style
To see many examples of the Modern Coastal furnishings, flooring, lighting, and accessories, visit Sheree’s Shop at my website and scroll down to the Modern Coastal Furniture Style.
You are welcome to browse and enjoy and hopefully get some great pieces and ideas for your home and design.
