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Expert advice: Five steps to a stylish seaside abode

By Amy Collins-Walker • 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 don’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!

“A quintessential Australian interior is always beautiful but never precious. From a super laid back beach shack aesthetic to a more luxury take on coastal,  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,” 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 clichés? “If you’re an Australian reading this, I’m pretty certain you would’ve stepped into many a cliché coastal interior. That ‘Beach Shack’ sign hanging on the door, the glass bowls full of shells, the lighthouse figurine, maybe even, dare I say it, a dolphin duvet cover. We’ve all seen it go horribly wrong,” says Tess who recommends avoiding coastal symbols and decorating choices that are too literal.

Coastal bedroom
Texture is key to this relaxed bedroom look

“Instead 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 ‘feeling’ with colour and material choices, rather than collecting endless amounts of cheap decor that scream ‘beach,’” says Tess.

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

Keep things uncontrived

“The best interiors conjure a feeling, so focus on creating a breezy coastal ‘vibe’ rather than getting hung up on decor and furnishings that are too seaside literal like glass bowls of shells or too much driftwood,” says Tess.

Embrace natural light & breezes

“We 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 – 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,” says Tess.

coastal bedroom

Let the environment guide your palette

“A 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,” says Tess who recommends starting with a base of timber flooring, cladded white walls and pops of greenery. “No interior is complete without greenery so use plant life to give your place that beachside retreat vibe,” says Tess.

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

Take cues from your lifestyle

“Perhaps you’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,” says Tess.

Coastal bedroom

Quality over quantity

“When channelling a ‘relaxed/casual’ aesthetic associated with coastal interiors, it’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,” 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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March 7, 2018

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Two little dancers in the family now🪩 Two little dancers in the family now🪩
I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" 😂

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says he’s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. “We don’t think our pieces are there just to look good,” Jack says. “We love seeing our pieces in people’s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. They’re for real life.”

FEARON’s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio.

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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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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Reader Interactions

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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