Nothing beats the charm of the seaside, all that fresh air, blue ocean and horizons that stretch on forever. So it’s no surprise that once we return from our sojourns to the beach, we try and recreate some of that magic in our homes. Seaside, maritime, coastal themes, whatever you want to call them, they have a firm place in our hearts as well as our homes. The true marvel of interiors that draw inspiration from the sea, is that they can work in many different rooms. Interpretations of the theme can range from strictly minimalist and contemporary, to over the top celebrations of everything beachy. If you want to bring a bit of the beach home with you, here are some design and decorating ideas to inspire you…
Bathroom on the beach
The bathroom is the obvious place most people live out their seaside fantasies. Pastel painted, tongue and groove wooden panelling on walls instantly evokes beach hut reveries. Mirrors framed with seashells, starfish designs on the bath mat, deckchair fabric for the curtains, some framed naughty postcards and flooring made from pebbles, all combine to create a riot of beachy, end of the pier, bombast.
Seaside colours
The shades of the sea blend into most interior schemes. Deep turquoise hues teamed with jade green and watery azure resonate beautifully in a room inspired by seascapes. Use a palette of natural stone colours such as pebble and slate and the creamy tones of soft sand to work up a scheme of great harmony. Fresh Scandinavian style décor with pale blues and greens and acres of whitewashed wood lend themselves well to a maritime makeover, too. Any room accessorised with authentic rope fishing nets, colourful glass buoys, a life preserver and a barnacle encrusted anchor will soon transform into a salty seadog’s charming retreat.
Don’t go overboard
Less is more in interior design and if you don’t want to overkill on the seaside flotsam and jetsam, select a couple of strong ideas and execute them with panache and confidence. A collection of distinctive ceramic fish plates arranged artfully on a wall can look beautiful. A lone model of a tall ship or yacht, lit from above in an alcove creates a stunning focal point, or maybe a a piece of vintage taxidermy in the form of a stuffed Swordfish above the fireplace or a Carp over the bar. For dens and lounge areas, try referencing Hemingway’s old Florida, the tropical air stirred by ceiling fans, battered leather Chesterfields, cigar smoke and the scent of rum and bougainvillea. A couple of carefully chosen items will underline a maritime mood in a room, without making it look like a theme park.
Fishing for glamour
Perhaps you want an interior that is more Miami Beach than Blackpool. The perfect way of introducing tropical glamour into a room is with a large, statement aquarium. A colourful reef tank set into cabinetry delivers maximum impact. A tank well-stocked with jewel coloured fish, corals and marine life will mesmerise and soothe as well as add drama to an interior. Large aquariums work effectively as room dividers and if they are transparent, can create a more open plan feel in a room. Any reef aquarium needs to be planned meticulously. Contact the experts at Reef Perfect to obtain advice and guidance on tanks, technical equipment, fish and reef stock as well as maintenance issues. Tropical fish tanks come in many shapes, long rectangles, cubes and cylindrical to name a few. They can be free standing or set into the wall. There will be a style and size of aquarium to meet all your requirements whether it’s in the bathroom, dining room, kitchen or bedroom, so talk to Reef Perfect about the infinite possibilities for tanks filled with promise.
Lost and found
Found objects harvested during beach combing expeditions can be turned into interesting artefacts. Driftwood with its gnarled shapes and sea-worn appearance can be used to great effect in furnishings and accessories. A large chunk of the right shaped driftwood can look perfect with a toughened glass coffee table top perched on it. Shelving, frames and carvings made from driftwood all sit well in this type of décor and bring a faded, elemental quality to a room.
Sea worn glass has a beautiful, misted appearance and collections of this smooth, colourful beach bounty look pretty turned into mobiles or simply displayed in glass jars along a window sill.
Bringing a suggestion of the sea into our homes is easily done. We can scatter a few shells around for the merest hint, or install a statement aquarium so big it can’t be ignored. Whatever you choose to do, an ocean influenced interior will invigorate and inspire….