Beach House Style, Two Ways

In partnership with our friends at

One of our favorite things about the sea is the homes that exist by it. There’s a laid-back quality to every beach house, a patina of salty air. And as these homes show, there’s also a distinct aesthetic, depending on exactly what sea it’s overlooking.

CALIFORNIA MINIMALISM

LOCATION: Hermosa Beach, California

DESIGN ELEMENTS: Minimalist furniture, white built-in shelving, jute rugs, mixed woods (blonde hardwood and teak furniture), large folding windows

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  Design by: Jordan Shields; Photo credit: Madeline Tolle for Homepolish

• Rule 1

  CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

  Intense sun, sand, and salt water will be interacting with the house constantly, so choose easy-to-clean, durable surfaces, like woods and tiles, in highly trafficked areas.

• “The draw to color palettes and heaviness of spaces is different between the East and West Coasts. The chosen materials throughout this house, like blonde woods and white built-ins, make it an open, airy Southern California beach home. Each level of the house also has large folding windows to make it totally indoor-outdoor.”
  —Jordan Shields, Homepolish designer

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  Design by: Jordan Shields; Photo credit: Madeline Tolle for Homepolish

• Rule 2

  WORTH THE SPLURGE

  For outdoor furniture, go for a durable, fade-resistant fabric that holds up to the sun and wind.

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  Design by: Jordan Shields; Photo credit: Madeline Tolle for Homepolish

EAST COAST ECLECTIC

LOCATION: Bay Head, New Jersey

DESIGN ELEMENTS: Accessories with a nautical bent (knots, rope accents, and sailcloth fabric), blown-glass light fixtures, a cool color palette, white-painted and natural-finish woods

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  Design by: Cindy Deluzuriaga; Photo credit: Sean Litchfield for Homepolish

• Rule 1

  LET THERE BE LIGHT

  Make the most of natural light by keeping the layout open and airy.

• “The East Coast goes more nautical style while the West leans more toward its hippie roots. This home has a relaxed ease but with clean and classic lines. It’s like a grown-up beach house.”
  —Cindy DeLuzuriaga, Homepolish designer

• Rule 2

  BRING IN THE OCEAN

  Try blue-painted walls (seen here: Benjamin Moore Polo Blue), but keep everything else—the furniture, the accessories—light to balance it out.

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  Design by: Cindy Deluzuriaga; Photo credit: Sean Litchfield for Homepolish

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  Design by: Cindy Deluzuriaga; Photo credit: Sean Litchfield for Homepolish

• Rule 3

  ADD SOME WHIMSY

  The owners are passionate about sailing, which is reflected in the subtle maritime details.