
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
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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.
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“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 -
Design by: Jordan Shields; Photo credit: Madeline Tolle for Homepolish
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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
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Rule 1
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Make the most of natural light by keeping the layout open and airy.
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“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
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Rule 3
ADD SOME WHIMSY
The owners are passionate about sailing, which is reflected in the subtle maritime details.