When it comes to seaside vibes, there’s no better source for inspiration than the Hamptons Designer Showhouse, which has established itself as the premier place for designers to “go coastal.” This year’s house was no exception. Twenty three designers transformed a picturesque, two-story shingle home into a vibrant retreat. For anyone who loves a bit of beach style, here are five steal-worthy ways to nail the coastal chic look.
1. Choose Classic Blue & White
By selecting a timeless seaside palette of blue and white for the showhouse’s family room, Barclay Butera of Barclay Butera Interiors was able to make some traditionally non-coastal elements, like chinoiserie, feel certifiably beachy. To keep the room’s nautical theme clear, Barclay worked in a series of coastal hallmarks, including a white coral chandelier and a knot-print rug.
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2. Embrace Bamboo
Forget bamboo’s tiki bar connotations. As Amal Kapen of Amal Kapen Interiors shows us, bamboo can be completely chic. In the showhouse’s living room, Amal selected bamboo as her muse and riffed off its texture, color, and shape. Plugs of chartreuse green throughout the space feel reminiscent of bamboo leaves. To balance a set of airy, open work bamboo side chairs, Amal added two substantial barrel chairs made out of a thick raffia. Over the window, she anchored a woven bamboo shade with ornately-patterned drapes.
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3. Make Your Bath Plunge-Worthy
The bath is an ideal spot for a bold coastal statement. For the showhouse’s master bath, designer Susan Petrie-Badertscher did just that, hanging a playful jellyfish wallpaper. While an all-over seaside wallpaper could feel like overload in a kitchen or entry, the bath (with all of its water-centric activities) welcomes it. Susan explains her inspiration as “tranquil submersion.”
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4. Use Subtle Seaside Touches
There’s no rule that says you have to go all-out with starfish and anchor prints to achieve breezy, seaside vibes. For instance, in the house’s junior master bedroom, IBB Design went mum on the coastal notes, minus a colossal coral chandelier. Romantic floral prints and classic Greek Key patterns dominate instead, lending the room a chic, preppy feel. Once you look up, however, you can’t help but reminded of the Atlantic beckoning just beyond the break.
