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Whether you’re waking up to ocean mist in Nantucket or golden light in Sarasota, coastal living isn’t just a location—it’s a feeling. A well-designed beach house should feel effortless, collected, and grounded in its surroundings. This is not about nautical gimmicks or shell-encrusted souvenirs. This is about coastal interiors that breathe: calm, elegant, and deeply rooted in place.

“I design for people who want their homes to feel like summer—without looking like a souvenir shop.”
—Rachel Blindauer

Coastal vs Beachy: What’s the Difference?

“Beachy” interiors tend to lean casual, playful, sometimes kitschy. “Coastal” interiors, by contrast, are about restraint. They use natural materials, light palettes, and elevated textures to evoke ease without excess.

Our clients in Sarasota and Nantucket often want something that feels timeless but warm. Coastal interiors achieve this with clean lines, regional architecture, and design choices that let light and materiality do the talking.

The Coastal Color Palette (2025 Edition)

Neutrals as Anchors:

• Misty white
• Dune beige
• Warm greige

Soft Coastal Blues:

• Sky blue
• Sea salt
• Dusty teal

Nature-Rooted Accents:

• Seafoam
• Clay pink
• Sunwashed terracotta

These tones reflect how natural light behaves differently in Sarasota’s bright sun vs Nantucket’s cool coastal haze.

Design Elements That Define Elevated Coastal Homes

Vernacular Architecture
Nantucket: cedar shingles, white millwork, heritage moldings
Sarasota: Mediterranean Revival curves, open indoor-outdoor layouts, modernist lines

“The best beach houses don’t imitate their setting. They interpret it.”

Natural Materials

• Linen, jute, rattan, cane, white oak, hand-thrown ceramics

• Keep materials honest. If it feels like plastic, it probably looks like it too.

Textural Layering

• Woven lighting, slipcovered sofas, cotton throws

• Avoid over-styling—let pieces breathe

Curated Accent Moments

• Antique nautical finds, artisanal glassware, shell-like glazes

• Less is more. Edit relentlessly.

Best Rooms for Coastal Design Features

Indoor-Outdoor Dining Areas

• Pocket doors or French doors
• Natural stone flooring that continues outside
• Woven pendant lighting and white linen drapery

Bedrooms That Breathe

• Sky-toned walls (hint of blue or gray)
• Whitewashed wood tones
• Soft cotton bedding + blackout linen drapes

Living Rooms With Intent

• Upholstered furniture in chalky neutrals
• Floor lamps with sculptural bases
• Art: abstract seascapes or simple linework

What Coastal Clients Ask For (and What They Really Mean)

• “I want it to feel like vacation, every day.” ✓
  Translation: Calm, clutter-free, and high-functioning

• “I love the beach, but I don’t want it to look theme-y.” ✓
  Translation: Tactile materials and restrained color, no starfish prints

• “Can we keep it modern but warm?” ✓
  Translation: Natural woods, soft fabrics, timeless silhouettes

Create Your Own Coastal Sanctuary

If you’re ready to transform your Sarasota or Nantucket home into a sanctuary by the sea, start with a consultation. We’ll define your goals, uncover your palette, and design something that feels like you—not just like Pinterest.