Coastal Cottage : Breezy blue textures
This coastal cottage sat just three blocks from the beach but felt nothing like it. Dark brown walls, heavy drapes, and mismatched furniture made the space feel closed off from the ocean. The owners wanted a light, airy home where every room reminded them of the water—without falling into tacky seaside clichés. No plastic starfish. No rope mirrors. Just honest textures and soft blues.
We started by stripping the main living area down to the studs. Out went the dark flooring and dated fireplace surround. In came wide white oak planks with a whitewash finish and floor-to-ceiling shiplap painted in a soft off-white. The fireplace was reclad in hand-troweled plaster in a pale grey-blue. Every surface now reflects light instead of absorbing it. The room feels twice as large.
1200+
Projects delivered
8year
Average team experience
50+
Skilled craftspeople on staff
15year
Warranty on all work
The kitchen got the boldest move: deep navy blue lower cabinets paired with matte brass pulls. Upper cabinets are white and frosted glass, keeping the ceiling line open. The backsplash is handmade zellige tile in varied shades of pale blue and cream. A butcher block island adds warmth. The result is a kitchen that feels both crisp and cozy—like a well-worn linen shirt.
We pulled the blue and white palette into the adjoining dining nook. A built-in bench with hidden storage wraps around a reclaimed oak table. Cushions are upholstered in a fade-resistant indoor-outdoor fabric in stripe blue and cream. The window above the sink now faces the garden without curtains.
The primary bedroom became a quiet retreat. Walls are a barely-there blue-grey. Bedding is layers of washed linen in white and soft denim. A single brass sconce hangs on each side of the bed. No art. No clutter.
The bathroom was a dark box with a fiberglass shower. We expanded the opening by twelve inches and installed a frameless glass panel. Walls are covered in large-format ceramic tiles that look like weathered cedar. The vanity is teak with a white quartz top. A skylight now drops natural light onto the freestanding soaking tub. Towels hang on a warm brass ladder.
Outdoors, we carried the same restraint. The back deck was refinished in a natural cedar stain. A built-in bench with blue cushions faces the grill. Exterior sconces are galvanized metal with seedy glass. The only decorative touch is a single ceramic planter with sea grass. Less is more here.
The owners now leave their windows open year-round. Salt air moves through every room. The blue textures never fight the view—they simply frame it. That is a coastal cottage done right. No gimmicks. Just breeze and calm.
