While you may love beach living, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to love coastal interiors.
If you're looking for a fresh way to style your beach pad, Justine Wilson from Vault Interiors says there are other beautiful interior styles that aren't conventional Hamptons. Here, Justine lists four different interior styles that are sure to match you and your coastal life.
Boho
The boho style works really well in beach houses, think Byron bay holiday homes! The look is about pairing light coloured sandy weathered woods, a few granite or marble accents, and textures such as juju hats, sisal or Persian rugs and pops of colour in soft tones. Mint, soft pink and soft blue work well. The style is meant to be relaxed so think white slip covers on deep sofas, rattan armchairs, a vintage look stone coffee table and some colourful artwork. This style has a real holiday house feel and will tie into a costal landscape as it's low maintenance.
Minimal
Many luxe beach houses have a modern, streamline, no-clutter look to them. There is no rule that says coastal has to be glitzy or overly accessorised. A minimal interior is a great way to go – especially if you have pretty water views or a nice outlook – as a minimal interior will let the environment be the hero and compliment the views by not competing.
Think very paired back palette, usually cool tones, white linens and walls and stone and metal accents. This style suits homes with big glass windows and will draw the outside in, so select glass dining and coffee tables, or large mirrors to assist in reflecting the surrounding landscape. Dressings for this style are very minimal, only a few key décor items like a large clam shell or a few leather scatter cushion. A few nods to the earthiness of a beach lifestyle is all you need and let the view do the talking.
Modern coastal
This look is more rustic than a Hamptons look – almost tribal in its rawness. Think Mark Tuckey design, drift wood coffee tables and lovely twigs in vases. Still fairly simple, but more layered and earthy than a minimal style interior. You can integrate reclaimed architectural elements for a true coastal home feel, like weathered wood barn doors, or large vintage timber table paired with more modern chairs. This look is also about bringing the outside textures in – so think overscale planter pots like fiscus or fiddle leaf and group in corners to create a visual statement, and a monochromatic palette for accessories.
Bahamas
Think mega stylist India Hicks – this look has a real old-world charm about it, defined by lovely antique pieces in deep mahogany or walnut, paired with white walls – it has an island colonial feel. Big shutters on the windows, seagrass wallpaper and lots of design books, chunks of coral and curios to dress large bookshelves. This is a great look for those that love to shop at markets, and collect treasure from beach walks. The trick is to cluster small displays and collections, and for furniture an eclectic mix of rattan, bamboo, timber and cane work well so long as the fabrics or homes finished are neutral.
Watch Find Me A Beach House, Wednesdays, 9.30pm on LifeStyle or On Demand
