Decorating and Design - Beach House Design

Hello,
I've been researching beach home designs and I'm having trouble with finding what I'm looking for. What I've been looking for is tips for how to decorate a place to look like a beach house. So far these are the only things I've gathered that many beach houses share in common.

1. It seems the walls are either painted bold, lighter colors; or an off-white with bold colored furniture or trim pieces. Correct?

2. It seems that some people go over-board with nick-nacks. You think so?

3. It seems that decorating a place to look like a beach house can be fairly cheap compared to some other styles of decorating. Yes?

Please give me some tips/suggestions/links towards understanding whats good in a beach house design.

Oh yeah, one more question.

4. Am I out of my mind wanting to decorate a place to remind me of a beach house even though I live in the middle of Kansas? :blah:



Edit: Also, I've had this link bookmarked (http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Clothes%20Articles/ColorReality.htm) for awhile and I've been meaning to ask whether or not this information is also used when people are decorating homes. I'm guessing it is, but I just want to be sure.

4. Am I out of my mind wanting to decorate a place to remind me of a beach house even though I live in the middle of Kansas?

no, i think you're out of your mind for wanting to decorate in a theme which you clearly don't truly hold dear to your heart. if you did, you'd KNOW exactly how you want to decorate it. have you ever even been to a beach house? if so, what did it look like? what did you love about it? replicate the image YOU have in your head of a beach house.

Gotcha. Do what I want and don't give a hoot what other people think. Sound about right, Annette?

If thats the case I know I'd have a house that'll start conversations... 'Not sure if they'll always be positive though. :alarm:

What made you first inclined to go with 'beach theme'? I'm curious, because I live in a beach community here in the Northeast US! In fact, our home is a converted summer beach cottage.

Anyway, I agree with Annette that you should figure out what YOUR vision is, and what's drawing you to a particular theme/idea, versus what someone else's vision is.

What made you first inclined to go with 'beach theme'? I'm curious, because I live in a beach community here in the Northeast US! In fact, our home is a converted summer beach cottage.


I've got more than a few reasons really (In no particular order)

- Memories of the beach & how perfect things were then. I stayed in a beach house that was amazing. (A very long, great vacation when I was a teen)

- I love the simple feeling the design gives me. It doesnt feel formal or like work. It sure isnt bland either. The beach house design, imo, says, "life is about having fun." I imagine other people may disagree, but thats fine by me.

- It can look great without spending alot of money (A logical answer :p)

- It's the begining of a dream. I havent ever had many desires in life except living near the beach. I really enjoyed everything that much.

I had so much fun and enjoyed everything I saw down in Corpus Christi, Texas. Padre Island was a blast.


So, in short, I'd have to say it's everything about the style, lifestyle (very relaxed compared to what I'm used to here), ect. If I said, "it just feels right," I think that would be the best way to explain why I want the beach theme.

Ramble enough for ya? :D

Got it! And I understand what you're saying. Here are some thoughts:

-The type of style it sounds like you're seeking goes beyond 'beach theme'. Beach theme could vary off into something kitschy (sp?) and cutesy, with lighthouse murals on the wall, etc...not necessarily something that will 'make sense' in Kansas! (Not that it HAS to make sense, but you know what I mean!)

-What I imagine you're seeking is really more of a 'shabby chic' style. With comfortable, easy care (perhaps overstuffed, slipcovered) furniture. I picture painted and distressed furniture (either new or older). Keep the accessories simple.

-I'd go with neutral colors (beiges, whites, pale blues, seafoam, light greens) on both walls & fabrics, and avoid patterns. Very simple, but very chic & comfy all at the same time!

-This IS, as you say, a very affordable way to decorate. If you shop at the right places! I'd definitely utilize flea markets, yard sales, Salvation Army shops...

Does that help?

Got it! And I understand what you're saying. Here are some thoughts:

-What I imagine you're seeking is really more of a 'shabby chic' style. With comfortable, easy care (perhaps overstuffed, slipcovered) furniture. I picture painted and distressed furniture (either new or older). Keep the accessories simple.

Thats exactly what I'm mentally picturing. I was talking to somebody earlier and they said that it sounds like I'm going for an eclectic look. I just shrugged and said, "I don't know." But I think you've got it dead on. I picture off-white walls, maybe some light colors and then having very colorful furniture. I think I can pull it off to still look great, but lets people know that a man designed it and built it. :)


-I'd go with neutral colors (beiges, whites, pale blues, seafoam, light greens) on both walls & fabrics, and avoid patterns. Very simple, but very chic & comfy all at the same time!
I hit up the local Lowes to see if I saw anything that would spark my interest and I came across a collection of paint called, "Seaside Retreat Collection by American Traditions," and it had the off-white, and light colors that I was thinking about. Some of the colors were not me, but the others looked as if they would work. I liked the shade of off-white so much all of the walls might be this white.

I'm thinking of having some off-white painted wood paneling much like this: http://www.newenglandclassic.com/style.cb.html but I'd most likely not have the wood paneling go up so high. What do you think if that? Do you think that'd be too much?


-This IS, as you say, a very affordable way to decorate. If you shop at the right places! I'd definitely utilize flea markets, yard sales, Salvation Army shops...

Does that help?

I plan on running around to yard sales and whatnot. I know I'll find things that will be near perfect for what I want to do. Slap some paint on certain things and they'll be perfect.

And yes, your reply helped very much :cool:

Beadboard's fantastic, and definitely works with the style you're thinking of! Very nice :)

Best wishes, and have fun!
-Carly