Summery Home Styles Set the Seasonal Mood

Janet Ramin - 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 Homecollection 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 fromTalisman 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.