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Expert advice: Five steps to a stylish seaside abode

March 7, 2018 2 Comments

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With most of Australia’s population scattered around our vast shoreline, it figures that the beach forms a significant part of the Australian psyche, and thus our interiors. From inside living spaces that flow seamlessly to the outdoors, to outdoor showers designed to rinse off beach sand, the coast informs our interior choices in ways that we possibly donโ€™t even realise. We also have a distinctive and inspiring Australian beachside aesthetic that is markedly different in tone to other parts of the globe.

Coastal lounge room
What a view!

โ€œA quintessential Australian interior is always beautiful but never precious. From a super laid back beach shack aesthetic to a more luxury take on coastal, ย an uncontrived earthiness and our connection with the outdoors is what sets us apart from coastal aesthetics in other parts of the world. We appreciate less formal settings (not to be mistaken for lower quality) than our American counter-parts for example, where Hamptons is a formal coastal style all about grandeur and luxury,โ€ says Tess Beagley of Minted Interiors.

Coastal dining room
I love the natural materials (rattan & wood) in this coastal dining space

But how do you create this style while avoiding the clichรฉs? โ€œIf youโ€™re an Australian reading this, Iโ€™m pretty certain you wouldโ€™ve stepped into many a clichรฉ coastal interior. That โ€˜Beach Shackโ€™ sign hanging on the door, the glass bowls full of shells, the lighthouse figurine, maybe even, dare I say it, a dolphin duvet cover. Weโ€™ve all seen it go horribly wrong,โ€ says Tess who recommends avoiding coastal symbols and decorating choices that are too literal.

Coastal bedroom
Texture is key to this relaxed bedroom look

โ€œInstead opt for subtle nods to the coastal style like a contemporary coastal landscape print, woven baskets, beautiful ceramics in ocean inspired hues, textured natural wall hangings and furniture made from high quality natural materials like timber and rattan. Concentrate on creating a โ€˜feelingโ€™ with colour and material choices, rather than collecting endless amounts of cheap decor that scream โ€˜beach,โ€™โ€ says Tess.

Coastal print
The ocean print is a fairly subtle nod to the home’s location

Keep things uncontrived

โ€œThe best interiors conjure a feeling, so focus on creating a breezy coastal โ€˜vibeโ€™ rather than getting hung up on decor and furnishings that are too seaside literal like glass bowls of shells or too much driftwood,โ€ says Tess.

Embrace natural light & breezes

โ€œWe have incredible natural light here in Australia and our coastal regions also offer an abundance of rugged wind and soft breezes. Make the most of it by encouraging as much natural light as possible โ€“ use a white or neutral colour base for your interior and then choose fabrics and textures that will move with the breeze like light white sheers on the windows and tasselled throws. These choices help to showcase our amazing light and wind, creating movement indoors and inspiring that breezy coastal feeling,โ€ says Tess.

coastal bedroom

Let the environment guide your palette

โ€œA typical Australian coastal interior features white walls, timber flooring and then builds on the neutral scheme with textured yet grounded and unpretentious fabrics and materials like jute, linen, rattan, leather, timber, raw stone, and merino wool. In addition, you would usually add a small amount of coastal landscape inspired colours, as pops of interest against the neutral and natural palette,โ€ says Tess who recommends starting with a base of timber flooring, cladded white walls and pops of greenery. โ€œNo interior is complete without greenery so use plant life to give your place that beachside retreat vibe,โ€ says Tess.

Coastal greenery
As with any interior, don’t forget the greenery

Take cues from your lifestyle

โ€œPerhaps youโ€™d like a hammock to plonk yourself in on a Sunday afternoon, some woven baskets under a timber bench seat to take off and store your shoes next to the front door, some timber hooks on the front veranda to hang your beach towels after a swim, or some relaxed timber and rattan occasional chairs paired with a leather ottoman to create a relaxed beach-boho styled space to chill out in on a Saturday afternoon after a big morning at the beach,โ€ says Tess.

Coastal bedroom

Quality over quantity

โ€œWhen channelling a โ€˜relaxed/casualโ€™ aesthetic associated with coastal interiors, itโ€™s easy to over decorate your space with cheaper items and furniture which seem to fit the coastal brief. This is always a mistake, so make sure you focus on fewer higher quality pieces. A beautiful quality piece like a well-made armchair in a contemporary design and a coastal inspired material like rattan or cane, can bring an unrivalled sense of integrity and coastal character to your space, so wherever possible never overlook these high-quality pieces for a cheaper price tag,โ€ says Tess who believes that high quality furniture is better equipped to withstand the wear and tear of sand, water and outdoor life too.

Photography: Carrie Young Photography | Styling: Minted Interiors

For more | Check out another chic Australian coastal home

 

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

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Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Comments

  1. AvatarRhon Macdonald says

    March 13, 2018 at 9:28 am

    So many cushions on that modular lounge..
    Love a relaxed beach style, mixed with brightness of Hamptons…the white is refreshing.
    We can create the best of both for an Aussie home.

    Reply
  2. AvatarJBR says

    February 2, 2019 at 10:17 am

    This is beautiful! And looks like many American homes. I don’t really think Australian beach living is all that different from many laid-back American casual, but refined homes. They are all beautiful and offer comfortable living.

    Reply

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