Saturday, August 24, 2013

Decorating In Coastal Style.....Elegant And Sophisticated



Elegant Coastal is just one of several decorating styles for a home on the shore. It is sunny, sophisticated, classic and can even have a hint of high glamour. 

This style can incorporate some of the accessories you see in a fun, casual beach cottage, like shells and coral. However, they are used in a more classic, understated way. While the "beach house" is many times a vacation home, this is more the style for someone who actually lives near the ocean and wants their house well appointed without being "beachy".

The general look is still usually light, airy and soothing. Clean lines, whites and creams, and blues often predominate the style. Although you will see that some of the interiors have strong color and yet work beautifully in a coastal setting.While white and blue hues are traditional in the beach style of decorating, any color found in nature on the beach can work well, including pale corals and greens. 

I hope these images will help you if this is the style you are interested in for your sea side home. Plus I have thrown in a few lovely outdoor entertainment areas as well. Enjoy!






Here the decor is light and simple because it's the view outside the windows that is the attraction.

The shells are elegantly displayed to add a touch of the beach in this classic interior. There are small ways to bring the beach inside yet not totally focus on it being a coastal home.


Bed dressings can still be luxurious and simple at the same time.

I like the way the stencil reminds you of coral.

anetteshus.com

Love the yellow and turquoise. It is a great combination to use when you have the view of aquamarine waters.


White kitchens are lovely in elegant coastal homes. And a touch of color is always nice.

A beautiful way to display coral and shells. Paint the inside of your shelves with a pretty sea side color and concentrate your shells to like color. Don't just lay them there, arrange then using pedestals and other interesting items to give them different heights. It makes for a more elegant display.



While this room is full of classical furnishings, it is designed to perfection and doesn't come across as heavy or too traditional for a coastal home. I like the way that the furnishings and accessories don't steal the spotlight from the star....that fabulous view!!
Simple but elegant!


Gorgeous sitting area almost has the feel of a papered wall behind the sofa. The table acts as a great sea shell display! If you have one with a shelf....fill it up!!


Hand painted seascape on the dining room walls and the sea blue chair seats and placemats help soften the antiques ...by Cathy Kincaid

pinterest.com


A wonderful Palm Beach interior by Scott Snyder. Don't be afraid to use color in a elegant coastal home, just be selective. You won't go wrong with pastels!


houzz.com


Large living room with creamy walls and couches and accents of greens, pinks and blues - very Palm Beach  by Mario Buatta.





debrahalllifestyle.blogspot.co

Weathered accessories like these stone wall planters  give an elegant old world quality to a coastal home.

While white and blue hues are traditional in the beach style of decorating, any color found in nature on the beach can work well, including pale greens.


This pretty room featuring tropical elements is at home on the beach. I like the ceiling fans mixed with chandeliers.


Nice kitchen! The rugs are just the touch of tropical it needs!


A pretty seashell display. Baskets are for beach cottages....think differently for Coastal Elegance


Coral or apricot and soft sandy colors are also wonderful in this decor.


palmbeachlately.com


Greek Key motif abounds in this Bunny Williams bathroom.

Even dark colors when done right can make a bold coastal statement.

The perfect bust for an elegant coastal home.

houseandhome.com


I just had to share this over the top bathroom...but it works in an
Elegant Coastal interior.


Bring the beach inside with palm trees. Tone on tone elegance and simplicity is reflected in this stunning interior.


I love this fabulous kitchen by Scott Snyder. So perfect for Coastal Elegance!



Just the simple act of presenting your shells in a wonderful Chinese porcelain bowl or a silver container like this will transform the feel of your room from Beach Cottage  to Coastal Chic.



Touches of coral print and a lovely shell display bring beach flair to this Elegant Coastal Living Room


debrajinteriors.com

French interiors should also be considered for an elegant coastal home.


Please visit my website at www.lisafarmerdesigns.com




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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

French Kitchens....... Keep Them Authenic




From Provence to Paris, the french kitchen displays traditional charm and character that casts a spell the instant you enter one.While not as detailed as the English Country style, the French kitchen has a more elegance and a less cluttered look. Also unlike the American kitchen, the French kitchen exudes a touch of romance. Who doesn't want to feel sensual and romantic in their kitchen.

The French kitchen is probably not for someone who has very little time because this kitchen, when done right, will make you want to cook all day!! 

Americans have always been fascinated with the French culinary arts, French design, and indeed, the French art of living. But try as we may, the average American just can't come to grips with the authentic French kitchen. While American homeowners want the French look, their desire to have their kitchens showy and magazine-quality seem to thwart their attempts. The French don't buy into the notion that homes should be ostentatious displays of wealth, especially when it comes to the kitchen. Americans want everything in the kitchen well hidden behind matched and pristine cabinetry while the French love open shelves, hanging pots and pans at arms length, and the charm of aged and imperfect kitchen furniture.

The purpose of this post is to show you some beautiful French kitchens and help you can make yours more authentic and not so Americanized.


houseandhome.com

Accents may consist of wooden ceiling supports, plastered painted wall space, worn  window frames and darkish unfinished wooden flooring to mention a few.

Most of the French kitchens, similar to the Italian kitchens, have one thing in common and that is the chopping table as a center piece of the kitchen. They feel that the chopping table if the most important part of the kitchen and hence it should be right in the center. 



Natural and handmade accents are essential when decorating your own kitchen. This helps provide the kitchen a genuine and worn appear, which is characteristic of the country French design. 


legrillonvoyageur.com

Furniture would be handcrafted, made of wood with simple details, and might even be a bit chippy. Lighting fixtures are typically brass, iron, or even crystal.

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If you're a lover of color, have no fear. While the majority of French kitchens are neutral, some rooms are colorful and far from boring. Accent colors range from bright yellows and blazing reds to cobalt blues, bright greens and deep purples.
The French Country kitchen runs on the distinct palette associated with warm and awesome colors. The colors include soft yellow, cheerful greens and cool blues.

I adore this French kitchen!!


Period copper cookware and kerosene lamps.


And who doesn't love  La Cornue ranges.




This kitchen definitely has a touch of joie de vivre



Baskets, copper pots and a crystal chandelier. All elements of a French kitchen.


Floors are rustic and aged, created with materials like ceramic tiles or flagstone. Wood floors are also common, and parquet patterns give it an Old World look.


A table might be used as work space in a French kitchen. The height of the table might not be in complete harmony with that of the nearby range or countertop to which it abuts. Yet the French will prefer it to something newly constructed and with perfect alignment.

The dining table with creative and elegant chairs is another important aspect when French people select kitchen furniture.

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Grey and white is a favorite color combination for the French kitchen.

The French homeowner would happily place a solid antique table with perfect functionality in the kitchen and leave it that way. It would remain an empty work surface because it is needed for just that: work.

Antique beams and white plaster walls are definitely French!


French kitchens are not all about matching cabinetry. In fact the beauty of these kitchens are the different pieces of furniture used alongside the cabinets. 


Another example of how a variety of kitchen furniture (even if painted all white) makes the room so much more charming and interesting.

dianeburn.com

Walls are often neutral colors (think off-whites or beiges and taupes) because the typical French country kitchen would have walls made of stone and clay.


bvd.co.il

Americans love brand new cabinetry in abundance and think of it as luxury. But authentic Country French cooks prefer the accessibility that comes with open shelving. They prefer things in full view and within arm’s reach. 





It doesn't have to be a country kitchen. Even the small kitchens in Paris apartments hold so much charm
inspired-design.tumblr.com



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