Photo by Logan Nolin on Unsplash
“Coastal design and decor will always be on trend because it is a timeless look,” says Cassie Scaldaferri of Cass Design Co.. Scaldaferri goes on to highlight the trend’s versatility as well as its “serene vibe,” which is “always an endearing quality for a home.” Interior design with a coastal focus can be found in multiple New Jersey properties, though it’s crucial to single out and learn from those that pull it off in a unique and innovative way. From unexpected elements of sophistication to those that benefit the environment, these properties serve as an excellent example of modern yet timeless coastal design.
An example of elegance
When done wrong, coastal design can come off as overdone — or even tacky. Sophisticated examples of the aesthetic, however, can be found in properties throughout the Garden State. Ruth Doherty details one such property in a Homes and Gardens article. Located in Spring Lake, the home was revamped after it had experienced irreparable damage. The end result? A modern and revolutionary feel that nevertheless remains timeless, all the while a coastal aesthetic is kept at the forefront of the interior.
Light blues, whites, and light colored wood are prominently featured throughout the home. “We mixed natural materials like caning, seagrass, rift oak, shiplap, and textured linen to break up the upholstery,” says Joan Enger, interior designer of J Patryce Design, who took on the project for the client after the original was damaged in a fire. Enger goes on to highlight the fact that while the palette “remained somewhat expected for a beach house,” both custom and vintage elements worked to elevate the design. Enger further reflects on the completed home, particularly in regard to its “regal, stately presence,” an impression that others can recreate with ease when the end goal is a sophisticated coastal abode.
The incorporation of sustainability — and creative thinking
61% of Americans say that global climate change is affecting their local community “either a great deal or some,” highlights the Pew Research Center. In New Jersey specifically, plastic pollution is a major concern, especially when the consumption of the material tripled in the state despite a 2022 plastic ban. Coastal design has great potential when it comes to the alignment with modern design trends, particularly those that benefit the environment.
Located in Manasquan, NJ, a beach cottage-style home serves as the weekend and holiday retreat of Laura Krey and her family — as well as the perfect example of creativity that collides with sustainable choices. Krey is a Manhattan-based interior designer, and utilized an abundance of creative design choices in order to revamp the home’s style. “It was built in 2014 and was therefore still relatively new,” Krey reflected. “As a proponent of sustainable design, I couldn’t justify ripping everything out, so I had to make what I did touch, count!” In regard to Krey’s vision for the home, she notes that she didn’t want it to “scream beach house,” though did incorporate nods to the coastal and marine aesthetic. This involved a variety of innovative solutions — for example, she kept the shiplap, though refreshed it with the help of gray-white paint. The Homes & Gardens article touches upon other changes that Krey made throughout the home, such as the incorporation of earthy tones and graphic contrasts in the form of a wooden surfboard and artwork.
Easy to emulate?
69% of American homeowners are “embarrassed” to have people over due to their aesthetic choices, highlights one survey commissioned by Slickdeals — half have even been judged by someone when it came to how their living space was decorated. For those in Sea Isle City and beyond, interior design with a coastal aesthetic is incredibly easy to emulate, especially for those who wish to makeover their home. The right palette can make all the difference — beachy, natural tones (blues, whites, tan, etc.) are a staple of the coastal trend, while natural materials like wood are equally as valuable.
Furniture can make or break the coastal aesthetic, with prime examples found via rattan, wood, and wicker materials. In regard to plush furniture, cotton or linen are ideal choices. When the goal is to discover a seating arrangement that works best, however, custom solutions can reign supreme. From style to size and color, online custom sofa solutions are ideal for living areas that require specific configurations, and can make the purchase process more convenient for those who aren’t able to sift through those available in-store. Swatches can further aid in the purchase process, and can help determine whether a pattern or color matches your specific interior design before an official commitment is made.
As a coastal state, New Jersey is the perfect place to find the coastal design trend in practice, with countless properties that showcase the most unique ways to pull off the timeless trend. Properties in the Garden State reflect particularly unique ways to implement the style, from those that hone in on sustainability to those that put the concentration on sophistication.
