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Seaside Chic: In my world, it’s a beach house with a timeless design that’s casual and welcoming—a place where entertaining family and friends is exciting. A home with a kitchen that’s fun to work in and every element whispers timeless elegance yet screams functionality.
I love a good chef’s kitchen, but sometimes they can be a bit sterile. Let’s explore six essential kitchen design elements that give you a chef’s kitchen with a homey vibe. Design elements that stand the test of time and promise to keep your coastal retreat looking fresh, fabulous, and oh-so-inviting season after season. Let’s make your beach house the envy of the shoreline, where every detail reflects your unique style and the endless charm of seaside living.
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Timeless Design For The Win
I have worked on many a kitchen built in the 90s or during the Tuscan trend – most are downright boring and not super functional for today’s living. If you have that kitchen, let’s get it into the 2020s. Here are my top 6 timeless kitchen design recommendations to bridge the gap between the sterile chef’s kitchen and the boring basic homebuilders’ kitchen.
1. Coastal Color Palette:
Seaside Chic begins by embracing a coastal color palette. Explore soothing blues, aquas, sandy neutrals, and crisp whites to create a breezy, light-filled atmosphere that mirrors the shoreline. These timeless hues will endure through evolving trends, maintaining a fresh and inviting ambiance.
PRO TIP: I always prefer a plain white/off-white/cream backsplash because it’s timeless. However, I enjoy a backsplash with color in a beach house with white cabinetry. So go ahead and choose that pretty blue tile and paint your island to match.
2. Natural Materials:
Bring the outdoors in with the incorporation of natural materials. These elements, from weathered wood to sea-inspired textures, add warmth and authenticity to your beach home kitchen. Think white oak cabinetry, seagrass island stools, rattan lighting, wood cutting boards, live herbs, and plants.
3. Open Shelving:
Say goodbye to clutter and embrace the airy feel of open shelving. Showcase your favorite coastal-inspired dishes and create a sense of openness that complements the laid-back lifestyle of beach living. I have open shelving in my kitchen, and dust and grease are not a problem. My everyday dishes are stacked there – they’re used so often that there’s no time for the dust to settle.
PRO TIP: Talking to an interior designer to help you design a timeless, pretty, and functional kitchen will save you time, money, and uncertainty.
My VIP Strategy Consultation is perfect for a project like this.
4. Timeless Cabinetry:
Invest in the longevity of your kitchen with timeless cabinetry. A beach house is casual, so slab or shaker style works best here. Many cabinet companies also offer a combo that includes a slab drawer with a shaker door – perfection! You want good-quality hinges and slides to stand the test of time – I love the soft-close versions.
5. Coastal Accents:
Infuse your kitchen with nautical charm through carefully chosen accents, but don’t go kitschy. Incorporate a piece of driftwood on a shelf or a glass bowl filled with beach glass or oyster shells, add a small colorful painting or photo of buoys, lobster pots, beach umbrellas – you get the idea. A couple of small nods to the beach will do it.
PRO TIP: Word signs are out; however, a directional sign pointing the way to the beach works beautifully outside on a pole. You could also do a pole filled with directional signs to other area beaches or your favorite destinations.
6. Statement Lighting:
Illuminate your beach home kitchen with statement lighting that captures the essence of Seaside Chic. Rattan pendants, an oyster shell chandelier, harbor-style lighting – imagine a pale blue harbor-style light that coordinates with your pale blue backsplash. In that instance, you wouldn’t need to paint the island.
By incorporating these six time-tested design elements, you’ll create a space that reflects the coastal beauty surrounding your home and stands as a testament to timeless design, enduring style, and sophistication.
BONUS: Below is a list of the paint colors in my beach bungalow. Hope this gives you inspiration!
Exterior
Interior
