mood board: Ocean-inspired

The thermometer reads hot, hot, hot – summer is definitely here - and the only thing on my brain is escaping to the beach.  For our Mood Board this month, we’re exploring all kinds of ocean-inspired styles.  Many clients have a secondary home on the beach, near the ocean, or on a tropical island so there is always a demand for that tranquil, summery, ocean-inspired look.

Our first mood board is the Seaside Style - which I chose to be an elegant, sophisticated interpretation of the vacation home genre.  The inspiration and starting point is the Conservatory lounge chair from Ralph Lauren, an updated version of the 19th century library chair. The baluster rail arms and gold fluted legs give the chair that elegant, upscale feel.  Yet the lounge chair is upholstered in crisp ocean blue cottons and deep cushions, inviting one to relax with a good book while being lulled by a seabreeze.

Next to our lounging chair is a pierced cube side table made of tropical hardwoods from Tucker Robbins, adding a touch of earthen stability.  On top of our cube is the very nautical Marine Tripod Lamp from Restoration Hardware.  To provide texture and a suprise touch as well as a place to put up our feet, we added a dhurrie pouf from West Elm.  The browns from the dhurrie upholstery give a balancing contrast to our ocean palette of blue and white.  Rounding out our seaside theme, we added shadow boxes of seashells from Palacek to grace the walls. 

Our second mood board is the Beach Cottage Style - a style that's more casual and informal.  Our seating is a settee from the Oscar de la Renta Home collection at Century and upholstered in seafoam cottons.  The Water Mill coffee table from McGuire is made of java recyclable resin that has the look of traditional rattan.  The Chandelle wardrobe is made of oak and hand finished to give that aged-shabby chic look.  The wardrobe is part of the Grange collection.  Our wall decoration is a starburst mirror made of mangowood from Ballard Designs. Completing the beach cottage look is an angel fish sculpture from Talisman of London (via 1st Dibbs) made of bronze. 

Whether you're into casual or the more sophisticated seaside look, furniture for the beach vacation home is plentiful.  Also, when looking for accessories, search for nautical motifs and ocean life details - they don't have to be just seashells.  Once you're done, you can then sit back and enjoy the tranquil effect.

Interested in learning how to create mood boards?  Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design.  At Sheffield, you will learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.  

Comments

[Sammy]

Amazing design!

[Buat Duit Raya]

I love beach cottage style if have many choice....

[žogi]

Sea side all the way! I'm loving this design!

[Caroline Sound]

I love the beach cottage design most, the distressed wooden cupboard and mirror are fab!

[forex signals provider]

I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.Thanks for sharing this information.And I’ll love to read your next post too.

[Private Investigator]

Thanks alot for sharing it.God bless you

[Axel]

the beach cottage is awesome. actually i love the whole design you put in your blog. but beach cottage seems much better. it does bring us to beachy feeling.

[Graphic design school]

Great home furnishing for any house by a beach. I have an uncle with similar pieces. The feel of them bring 'coziness' and 'warmth' to the place. The beach cottage collection also looks great. A little vintage feel don't ya think???

www.graphicdesignfield.com

[Web Design Alton]

These styles are truly unique and beautiful!

www.zakaryfaithfull.co.uk

[Affordable Furniture]

Beach Cottage Style rocks! I'll make one of my houses look like this one day.

[Cheap Vacations]

Really Nice & Unique Designs. It's more like a dream house.

[European Destinations]

The ocean inspired style looks amazing and adorable.

europeandestinationsadvice.com

[Samantha Curtis]

Very informative review! Can't wait to read more of your blogs. Its just great to read quality reviews. Just keep it coming. :)

[Tim "The Picture Framer Hanger"]

I recommend using the "seaside look" or "beach board" for homes which are NOT at the beach. When you're at the beach, you already have that feeling...it's all around you, inescapable. So is the sand in your underwear, the constant humidity, the baking sun, the tsunamis, etc...in other words, when you're at the beach, the downsides of the beach are ever-present also.

But when you're in your home away from the beach (I'm in Atlanta, about a 4 hour drive from the nearest beach) designing your interior using these kinds of furnishings allows you to enjoy the "feeling" of the seaside without the negatives.

[Rattan Furniture]

Wow! This looks lovely. Coral and ocean a delightful combination to give you the best relation ever and when it is at home it is certainly the best place to live in. Thanks for sharing.

[Upholstery Cleaner]

I personally like the Beach Cottage style better. I feel like a beach home should be more casual and the Cottage decor has a more relaxed feel to it.

[Last Minute Vacation Deals]

As someone who grew up on a seashore, I simply love the combination of all tints of blue and white. I have my bedroom designed in these colors - the most calming and relaxed colors you can think of. The seaside style is not only for cottages, but should be wherever you live permanently - the whole place doesn't have to be done in these colors but consider a bedroom or part of your dining-room or veranda, if you have one.

[Bali villas]

well design..suitable for a beach cottage...

[mithun]

Congratulations! This looks lovely. Coral and ocean a pleasing compounding to cater you the champion abstraction ever and when it is at base it is sure the good post to elastic in. Thanks for distribution.