Coastal Casual Defined: Inside Coastal Living's 2011 Ultimate Beach House

Not far from my Norfolk Nest, in a new waterfront community called East Beach, Coastal Living has created their 2011 Ultimate Beach House.  It had been weeks since my October issue, featuring the showcase house on the cover, had arrived in my mailbox, and moreover it had been years since I started following designer Phoebe Howard's work.  So last Thursday I finally carved out the time to visit the masterpiece.  My friend and fellow blogger and her adorable 11 month-old joined me on the scouting adventure. 

Photo: Tria Giovan for Coastal Living

The three-story, double-decker porch exterior of the Coastal Living "Ultimate Beach House" welcomes owners home and beckons guests in.  The house's cement shingle walls are painted light aqua, complimented by the navy shutters, referencing the colors of the ocean just 100 yards away.  Walking through the front door was like stepping into a coastal oasis.  The open floor plan downstairs creates the perfect entertaining environment with the living room, dining room, and kitchen sharing a nautical design theme with crisp whites, deep blues, and pops of yellow.  The natural wood furnishings, airy linen curtains, fresh, cheerful fabrics and shiny hardware finishings draws you into each living space, inviting you to relax into a chair, sip a glass of wine, and take in the picturesque ocean views through the over- sized windows.

a good design rule is to cluster in threes (two patterns that are 
similar colors and shapes and one bold solid in a complimentary color)

white oars form a whimsical mirror in the dining room; mixing
seating styles, both in shape and material, is unexpected and memorable

the high beamed ceilings and white planked wood floors
evokes the feeling of being aboard a luxury ship

 we loved the backsplash of recycled tile in sea blue gloss, a fresh take
on the common white subway tile

again Phoebe Howard mixes seating in a family breakfast nook by
offering an L-shaped banquet in natural canvas and three
upholstered chairs with driftwood finish and over-sized nail heads

what's more beachy than decorating with flip flops?

perhaps decorating with bright beach towels...

my favorite room in the house was the first floor master bedroom from the
CIRCA Lighting bead and tassel chandelier to the upholstered
headboard to the lambrequin window treatments from Lee Jofa/Blithfield & Co. Ltd.

bleached stag's horn centered among white plates creates
a focal point above the headboard

honeycomb graphic flooring by Ann Sachs in the first floor master bath

the porch off the first floor master offers quietude and views of the ocean

I couldn't resist including my friend's adorable daughter enjoying the children's chair
(and the joy of wearing just one shoe) on the house's second floor landing
 

punchy pink provides a pretty pallate in the kids' room

the second floor master bedroom defines coastal casual

outdoor entertaining is essential for a beach house; this seating
area features muted metallic silver wicker and bold Sunbrella
fabric in sapphire blue

teak wood and white sling fabric set the stage for a al fresco
outdoor dining experience 
(Photo:  Tria Giovan for Coastal Living)

above the garage sits the "Carriage House," the perfect studio
apartment for weekend guests with a kitchen, pull out, bathroom,
and separate entrance

Coastal Living's Ultimate Beach House is open through November 27, 2011.  For more information on the house, the materials, and tours, visit the Coastal Living website.

Coastal Inspirations from Nantucket

Sconset Lighthouse

This summer my family headed north for cooler temps and New England charm to the historic island of Nantucket.  A favorite getaway of my NYC-based sister and her husband, Nantucket provided our family of six the perfect escape from the oppressive Southern heat at the end of July.

From long bike rides and afternoon sails to perusing the fresh produce at Bartlett's Farm and enjoying a sun downer at The Straight Warf, we spent seven glorious days of R&R in a cottage on the beach in Wauwinet.  With my style compass set for my new home's decor:  Coastal Cottage meets Classic French Country with a touch of Parisian Chic (Emily Henderson of HGTV's style diagnostic would surely peg Jeff as "Coastal Cottage" and me as "French Country"), I found a lot of inspiration while on the island.

Summer Bluff cottage in Sconset

Nantucket is a treasure trove of classic New England coastal style from the antique and furnishings shops downtown to the private homes in my favorite neighborhood of Sconset.  Here are a few pictures from my decorating scrapbook which will surely have you dreaming of a Labor Day vacation--Nantucket style.

I would love a wrap around porch like this someday

I loved this classic cane chair in a white wash--
very Coastal style meets French design

luxurious cashmere throws to bundle up on cool Nantucket nights

what says "coastal" more than a coral based lamp?

I like this tufted "apartment sofa" with coral motif pillows

Jeff and I were both in love with these fish prints created in a style called
gyotaku which is Japanese art of imprinting fish

This is the shape and grommet edging of a headboard I'd
like for our master bed once we upgrade to a king

Fun yellow statement chair for a family room or kids room

The sunset on our last night from Waiwinet, the perfect ending
to a wonderful week on the island

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend with friends and family.  Savor the last days of summer, I know we will be doing just that.  Bon weekend!