California Coastal Living
![View of a living room with a single exposed beam at the ceiling, off-white wall color, curtains, and ceilings, grey and tan toned furniture, with just a few pops of turquoise color brought in with throw pillows. A black fireplace and TV screen above it are the darkest elements in the room, with everything else being soothing shades of neutral colors.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Coastal-Living_Modern-Coastal-Design-via-Freshome.com_.jpg)
Drop a pin on a map anywhere in Northern California and you’re already close to water – an important element in luxury home design. Today I’m sharing a few aspects of California coastal style that will make your spirit soar!
![View of an open-plan living/dining area with off-white wall paint and unadorned white windows on all sides. Dining chairs are medium-toned wood paired with a lighter wood dining table, under a glass and dark metal chandelier. In the living area, loveseats are a pale tan, with a glass-topped rectangular coffee table on dark metal legs. Light-colored hardwood flooring is topped by a white rug to define the living area, while a herringbone brick fireplace interior calls out that element against the back left white wall, under a natural wood lintel.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Coastal-Farmhouse-via-coastalfarmhouse.com_-580x296.jpg)
Neutral Color & Texture Palette
The coastal color palette is simple, light and breezy. Create a foundation with neutrals, then layer in some pops of color, such as the traditional navy blue and white, or a fun turquoise. Texture is also considered a key neutral element here, with use of wood, bamboo, rattan and other natural materials adding to the textural feeling.
![A floor-to-ceiling window frames the view next to a round, light-colored dining table surrounded by white wooden chairs with geometric wood carved back detail. Head chairs are a darker, textured tan with clear Perspex arms. The chandelier is made from glass balls and floats tangled in nets.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Coastal-Living_neutral-dining-room-ocean-view-via-coastalliving.com_-580x326.jpg)
Sun, Sand, Surf, and Outdoor Dining
Use all your senses to recall those magic moments, by bringing in the basics of water, sand, wind, and sun to your design. Indoor-outdoor dining is a key element here, year-round. If you don’t always have the best weather, pull that breezy feeling indoors, as in this Cape Cod-inspired kitchen.
![East Coast meets West Coast in this Cape Cod-inspired kitchen, mostly in white finishes, with black metal accents as seen on the three pendant lights. Wooden counter seating spans the kitchen island, which is a major design element.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Coastal-Living_Cape-Cod-Kitchen-via-OneKindesign-580x385.jpg)
Let Light In
Coastal designs blur the line between indoors and out – plenty of windows, glass doors and skylights, all essential elements that allow light and the sunshine to flood in. To fake it, add lamps and sconces, place a glass-topped table in a sunny breakfast nook or mount a mirror opposite a window. Trade in heavy draperies for light fabrics, or take down the curtains altogether and replace with simple shades. The hallmark color of a coastal home is white, because it allows light to bounce and dazzle.
![A mostly-white living room interior with some shades of grey, tan, and off-white. A herringbone-patterned rug sits comfortably under a white sofa and white wooden coffee table with heavy crossed wood design elements. A white octopus artwork stands out because of the warm grey background against the white wall, above a dark grey sideboard. Window finishes are crisp and clean shades, designed as boxed elements rather than flowing curtains.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Coastal-Living_3503OceanFront-via-CoastalFarmhouse.com_-580x384.jpg)
If YOU want to refresh your home in the coastal style, contact Kimball Starr to make your ocean retreat a reality.