Home Improvement Magazine Home Fashions Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 24

and incorporate fixtures, lighting and hardware that are a
nod to whatever that pastime or geographical feature may
be. For example, a cabin in the woods would be a perfect
place for an antler- or twig-inspired chandelier, or a city
apartment could incorporate industrial faucets and lighting.
ABUNDANT LIGHT
Coastal interiors are all about light, bright spaces and
embracing natural light wherever possible. That’s why we have
windows, skylights and glass doors everywhere, including
hallways, stairwells and showers. Natural light is flattering in
any space, and can even improve your mood. If adding natural
light isn’t an option for you, use artificial lighting to create
a similar effect. Make sure each room has the three types of
lighting: ambient (or general), task and accent (or mood).
Install dimmers so you can adjust brightness as needed.
PITCHED CEILINGS
Remember way back at the beginning of this post when I said
coastal homes are all about airy spaces? One of the most surefire
ways to create that feeling is with pitched (also called vaulted
or cathedral) ceilings. Not only does this architectural feature
literally create more space in your home, but it also draws
the eye up, making the room look as large as it feels. When
I build pitched ceilings, I like to dress them up with beams,
exposed trusses, shiplap, or other details. Get this same feeling
where you live by opening up your ceilings. Older homes
often have beautiful beams that can be exposed, or you might
be able to open a top floor to the rafters to create a sense of
grandeur. Just make sure your home is still properly insulated.
shores each day, why not use some of them as decor? To avoid
looking too cliché and theme-y, we use these finds only as
accents. Do the same where you live. Make nature walks a
new family habit (or a solo activity) and then display the best
of what you find. Use larger objects on coffee tables or atop a
stack of books, and create groupings or collections of smaller
ones on a shelf or in a bowl, glass cloche or other vessel.
OPEN & UNCLUTTERED SPACES INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING
Building a home from the ground up means I can design
the layout, and at the beach, the number one request is an
open floor plan. Homes here are built for entertaining and
enjoying family and friends, and open concept spaces are the
most conducive to doing so. If you can remove some non-
load bearing walls, go for it! If that’s not an option, or if you
prefer separate spaces, get a similar feeling by decluttering. The
beach vibe is all about light and breezy, and there’s nothing
light or breezy about a space full of unnecessary objects. Coastal dwellers live where they do because they love the ocean,
and they want to enjoy it as much as possible. That’s why homes
here have tricked out backyards, multiple decks and porches
galore to create true indoor-outdoor living. But the ocean isn’t
the only outdoor scenery worth savoring. Whether you have
mountains, lakes, deserts, fields or the urban jungle outside
your door, create your own space where you can appreciate it.
From a poolside paradise to a tiny city fire escape, there are few
problems that can’t be alleviated with a breath of fresh air.
EASY CARE FLOORS
The same reasons that beach people love their slipcovers
also apply to our floors - all that time spent in the sand and
surf, entertaining loved ones, and just living in our spaces
can wreak havoc on the floors. That’s why we opt for easy-
to-clean and low-maintenance flooring like hardwood and
tile in high-traffic living areas. Bring this same laid back
vibe to your home by selecting flooring that doesn’t require
you to walk around on eggshells. After all, it’s not just sand
and water that destroy flooring - it’s children, pets, and just
life in general! Want the best of both worlds? Install wood-
look tile for the feeling of wood with the easy care of tile.
With love from the beach,
FOUND OBJECTS Marnie Oursler has been nationally recognized by as Professional
Builder Magazine’s “40 Under 40” – a recognition of
entrepreneurs to watch in the building industry – and received
one of the world’s most distinguished business honors, the Gold
Stevie® Award as Entrepreneur of the Year for Women in
Business. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Cross Continent
MBA program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Beachcombing is pretty much a prerequisite for coastal
living. With so many beautiful treasures washing up on our Marnie stars Big Beach Builds, DIY Network, airing
Monday nights at 9:00 PM EST and 9:30 PM EST.
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