We have long been enamoured by coastal cottage style. It’s modern rustic at its finest, with a translatable look that can be worked into homes everywhere. ⁠Coastal cottage is an interior style close to our hearts, with the beautiful beaches of the Suffolk and Norfolk coasts a stones throw away from our HQ. We love the laid-back feel that comes with the shell motifs, earthy colour palettes, and natural texture. These elements are an appreciative nod to nautical landscapes, embodying an understated but nonetheless luxurious look.

Here are our four ways to achieve coastal cottage styling this summer…

LIGHTING

For a shell you don’t need to rinse the shingle out of, try our beautiful Scallop Wall Lights to bring a soft coastal vibe into your interior. Adding an instant update of coastal character, this light has been carefully designed to combine a decorative shade with a subdued backlight, perfect for creating mood lighting in a bedroom, study, cloakroom or open plan living space.

This eye-catching piece was inspired by Jim & Sheena’s holidays to the West Coast of Scotland, where fresh scallops were always on the menu and finding shells on the beach when the children were young was a favourite past time. Lovingly hand forged from solid natural brass that has been lightly antiqued for a subtly aged look, our Scallop has a wonderfully tactile quality that befits its handmade nature. Also available as a plug-in version.

Customers at the @narrow_house have curated a fresh yet cosy dwelling with our Curtis spotlight and other hints of time-worn Jim Lawrence brass, choosing some of our finest nautical-suited designs for their b&b in perfect proximity to the south west coastal path. ⁠The Curtis has a pretty spun shade, raised edge and visible braided cable that gives it a vintage feel that works perfectly for a more rustic coastal cottage look.

Embrace further seaside motifs in your bathroom with our Saunton Wall Lights. Choose from Antiqued Brass or Nickel for this shell-shaped Wall Light. These innovative wall lights have been cleverly designed with a sealed glass cover over the bulb to ensure they are waterproof and fully functional in a bathroom environment.

Coastal style interiors are typically light-filled and airy, making the most of natural light to create an open and spacious feel. Our glass wall and pendant lighting pair a clean silhouette with the natural reflectivness of glass that bounces light everywhere, creating statement pieces that won’t distrupt the sense of space.

HARDWARE DETAILS

Increase the light airy look of coastal living by enahncing the natural light at home. Our clay curtain poles and accessories will help to frame the windows with beautiful fabric (see colour ideas below), without creating the visual stop that darker hardware could provide.

Weather-beaten exteriors, aged metals and fading paint can sometimes be a part of coastal living. Their existence is proof of their steadfast manufacturing, but evidence that living by the ocean can be tough and wearing. Time worn materials have an undeniable charm, but you can achieve a similar aesthetic wherever you are with our Antiqued Brass or Polished fittings – a go to match for this gently aged look.

When decorating a room it is sometimes easy to miss the little extras that can add the design flare your room was missing. Smaller details like locks, hooks, and handles can make all the difference, helping you to create a considered, matching look throughout. If brass isn’t more you and you prefer a more traditionally rustic look, crank up the contrast with our black Suffolk Latches and Hinges.

TEXTURE

For a coastal look, there is inspiration all around. From linen curtains, to upholstered chairs, woven rope, and even netting. These textures add layers and depth by taking inspiration from the external surroundings – a key step in coastal style. Organic and robust, linens and jutes are practical but pretty additions to your coastal style decor.

An easy way to update our homes with these rustic and earthy tones is using cushions, throws and shades. We love the grain of linen and jute when lit up as a lampshade, highlighting the sought after textured weave whether in its natural oatmeal hues or dyed a soft colour to match your decor.

View all of our fabrics, available to buy as a cut length to get creative with, a ready made cushion cover or one of our luxury lampshades.

COLOUR

Beige, stone and sandy tones come naturally to coastal homes. You might as well incorporate it into the design! But let’s not overlook the obvious: blue hues. Whether paint, fabric, or accesories, hints of blue are a staple for cottage coastal decor. Blue can induce a feeling of tranquility at home, allowing for more play when it comes to pattern. Our new Indigo Watercolour fabric is perfect for refreshing a room with a touch of coastal charm. Painterly florals or gingham checks are a go-to for livening up a room, whilst softer hues that lean more towards grey are an option for those who prefer something more subtle.

Darker jewel tones in rich blues might be colder in tone, but never fail to make a room feel like home. The colours of our Hunstanton Velvet Collection were influenced by the sea and skyscapes of north Norfolk. Wanting this range to evoke the dramatic sunsets and vast, stretched out sands of Hunstanton and the surrounding coastline, we had to include a deep, dusky Navy. 

A blend of natural sandy linen and bold indigo,  our Indigo Cottage Stripe fabric will dress up any space with a subtle take on beachy stripes; perfect for plumping with a gorgeous feather pad inside.

STYLED BY YOU

For added interest, try using ancient bottles, hand-picked shells and wave-worn washed up glass might sound like clutter to some, but it’s these cherished finds that bring in personality and make a house into a home. Explore more coastal style ideas on our helpful inspiration page.

We would love to see how you translate these ideas into your own home, so don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook. For a wealth of home décor and interior inspiration, view our Pinterest page. To view all our lighting and homeware visit our website.