Summer is here and I’m counting the days till I can enjoy salty waves and cool beach breezes! I just love strolling down the sand looking for shells, paddling in the surf, and enjoying an ice cream from the pier.
But rather than wistfully wait for those two glorious weeks a year, I’ve realised I can recreate some of those relaxed holiday vibes at home!
First step is to find your inspiration. On our last trip to the Isle of Wight I discovered a brilliant local artist. Suzanne Whitmarsh creates beautiful coastal landscapes, with gradient stripes and solid blocks of colour. I love the clean graphic style and bright colours. I’ve picked several prints of our favourite places, like Compton Beach and Alum Bay, and used these colours as a starting point for my British Coastal theme.
In the Isle of Wight we stayed in a lovely holiday apartment by the sea. The rooms had a relaxed elegance, that combined calming neutrals with a few bold accent colours. With large windows to enjoy the views, I loved how bright and breezy the house felt!
To recreate that serene coastal style at home, we started with our one hundred percent linen Sankey curtains. The crisp white linen gives you privacy and adds luxury, and a sense of exclusivity. All while filling the room with that gloriously softened sunshine. I then painted our living room walls a subtle putty colour that adds a hint of contrast and helps those white accents really shine!
Next, I added coastal textures and accents like this Porcelain Ammonite Lamp from Dunhelm. Part of their Natural History Museum collection, I instantly fell in love with the sculptural form and the way the soft glow illuminates the porcelain. The large ammonite form is a scaled-up version of pretty beach treasures, while the pure white porcelain gives the piece a minimalist simplicity. A brilliant accent for styling your bookshelves, I’ve used a Philips Hue light bulb inside so I can dim the glow and set the warmth to perfectly light the space.
Now when it comes to bathrooms, beach themes are a bit out of fashion, but with creative use of materials and textures you can still create a modern bathroom design inspired by raw coastal beauty. Here the stone tiles recall the rocky pebbled beaches and cliffs, while the wood accessories add a natural warmth. Finished with a linen curtain, embroidered with a starfish motif, and you’ve created a gorgeous coastal retreat.
Here, the pebbled tiled floor is a great starting point for this coastal bathroom design. Paired with shiplap walls it creates a contemporary take on the traditional beach hut. Accented with dark Turkish towels and a driftwood mobile, and you’ve got a fabulously trendy bathroom with amazing coastal character!
But if the British weather puts you off and holidays in the South of France are more your style, our half-window café curtains can help you recreate provincial romance. A French classic, linen café curtains are the perfect option to let in summer breezes and sunshine, but help keep out irritating bugs and insects. A timeless solution for the heat of summer, linen curtains help keep your home cool but full of glorious sunlight!
Why wait for your summer holiday to start enjoying the weather? Give every day a touch of luxury, indulgence and respite from the daily grind. Recreate the adventure, the excitement, and the escape of your favourite holiday - at home.
Linen curtains can help you instantly create the soft, carefree glow of relaxing summers! Send me a message, and we can get start giving your home the holiday treatment!