A home close to the sea should be inviting, light and a place for rest and relaxation. With the head office of KWD located in the beachside location of Mt Martha, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, it is any wonder that a favoured design style at KWD, is based on a coastal interior, with a sophisticated edge.  With many of KWD’s preferred architects, such as the ever talented Geoffrey Brown of Geoffrey Brown and Associates epitomising this style in their designs, KWD has supported their penchant for all things coastal, by working with materials that reflect the relaxed feel of the style.

Coastal home flooring often incorporates a mix of timber and neutral carpets and rugs. Engineered timber in a european oak are vastly popular as they are produced in a wonderful choice of grains as well as an array of plank widths and lengths. Wide planks are currently in vogue but the size of the room and the overall home will play a large role in determining what flooring is most suitable. Painted floorboards or white washed timber is also a great way to achieve a nautical look.

On top of timber flooring, sisal rugs are an excellent option for seaside homes. They are durable, easy to clean and reflect a sandy, casual elegance.

In a coastal bathroom it’s all about light and accessories. White walls are ideal and at KWD we love Dulux Natural White paint. It a pure white without being cold or stark. Towels and other bathroom accessories will add some colour and texture. Blue hues, minty greens and warm greys are the obvious choice here

The key to a coastal living room is keeping it simple. Neutral colours with a splash of colour here and there is all that is required. Again blue is the obvious colour choice for accessories as well as navy marine stripes. It’s easy to clutter a smaller beach house so try add pieces without over doing it!

Bedrooms in general should reflect personal style and taste. To make your bedroom more coastal, white plantation shutters are ideal and head to online shops such as Pottery Barn to purchase the perfect nautical linen. If you’re building your beach home from scratch, a round port hole window could be incorporated.

 

Accessories and knick-knacks will always add a warmth and a homely feel to any beach house. Straw baskets, drift wood, shells, oars and timber boats are a good start but the options are endless. Tying it all together with some ocean scented candles completes the design.

 

KWD has specified, sourced  and supplied numerous homes with coastal inspired finishes. However, it doesn’t stop there! Commercial projects such as Otto seafood outlet in Mt Eliza were delighted with the hard finishes KWD incorporated into their fit out in late 2013. Featured in these images are the gorgeous Carrara fan mosaic tiles. They are the perfect feature for this type of shop looking almost identical to a scallop shell.  These mosaics can also be incorporated into bathrooms and kitchen splash backs for a subtle nautical feel.

 

If you would like to discuss your coastal inspired interior, please call Kate Walker at KWD on 0422 425 523.