Book Tour: 'Coastal Modern'
Fresh ways to bring beachy style to your home, no matter how far from the coast you are
Sometimes coastal style brings to mind an explosion of seashells, driftwood, ship's wheels, rope and nautical models, with everything themed out in honor of the sea to the max. Not in interior designer to the stars Tim Clarke's world. Through careful editing and a beautiful understanding of mixing textures and materials, he's created a fresh, updated and modern approach to coastal style, which he's sharing with the world in his new book, Coastal Modern. The styles are certainly not limited to seaside dream homes.
Clarke has divided the book into five coastal modern styles: Scandia surf, seaside Mediterranean, beach classic, inherited ease and native woods. While each has its own distinct aesthetic, Clarke does not believe in hard and fast rules when it comes to design. His advice for getting the coastal modern look: "Keep things simple. Use chunky linens in solid colors for upholstery; layer with vintage ticking stripe and large-scale faded print pillows," he says. "Layer a natural woven rug with a faded ethnic rug to define a seating area."
Whether you have an ocean view or you're landlocked in the Midwest, the book is full of gorgeous photography by Noah Webb and helpful advice from Clarke. This is one of the most inspiring tomes to grace my coffee table in a while. It makes me dream of the beach and moves me to edit my own home. Here's a peek inside.
Clarke has divided the book into five coastal modern styles: Scandia surf, seaside Mediterranean, beach classic, inherited ease and native woods. While each has its own distinct aesthetic, Clarke does not believe in hard and fast rules when it comes to design. His advice for getting the coastal modern look: "Keep things simple. Use chunky linens in solid colors for upholstery; layer with vintage ticking stripe and large-scale faded print pillows," he says. "Layer a natural woven rug with a faded ethnic rug to define a seating area."
Whether you have an ocean view or you're landlocked in the Midwest, the book is full of gorgeous photography by Noah Webb and helpful advice from Clarke. This is one of the most inspiring tomes to grace my coffee table in a while. It makes me dream of the beach and moves me to edit my own home. Here's a peek inside.
Seaside Mediterranean. Clarke draws design inspiration from many countries along the Mediterranean Sea's coastline, including Morocco, France, Spain, Greece and Italy. Elements like mosaic tile, aged stone, taupey-gray wood finishes and plaster walls are part of the material palette.
This kitchen exemplifies Clarke's seaside Mediterranean style with its pared-down aesthetic. It incorporates materials like rich wood counters and limestone floors. Lattice panels add a subtle pattern that recalls North African Mediterranean style, while pieces of coral are framed as though they came from a French flea market.
This kitchen exemplifies Clarke's seaside Mediterranean style with its pared-down aesthetic. It incorporates materials like rich wood counters and limestone floors. Lattice panels add a subtle pattern that recalls North African Mediterranean style, while pieces of coral are framed as though they came from a French flea market.
Beach classic. Clarke refers to the quintessential relaxed and rambling New England beach "cottage" when defining this look, recalling the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, Massachusetts. To keep things livable and comfortable, Clarke recommends avoiding having too much stuff. Instead, he advises, "simplify to fewer larger pieces, arranged symmetrically to allow free movement."
Clarke updates the beach classic look while paying homage to its traditional past, freshening things up with new (but still casual) upholstery, using natural materials like canvas, sea grass and glass. While he's careful to edit, he is sure to incorporate beloved items, from black and white photographs to favorite beach reads.
Clarke updates the beach classic look while paying homage to its traditional past, freshening things up with new (but still casual) upholstery, using natural materials like canvas, sea grass and glass. While he's careful to edit, he is sure to incorporate beloved items, from black and white photographs to favorite beach reads.
Inherited ease. This style incorporates classic, heirloomworthy pieces into their own kind of coastal style. The key is to use items that are timeless; nicks, age and patina only increase appeal. While these furnishings are more formal, casual arrangement and layering lends the style a relaxed beachy look.
This restful bedroom is a great example of how to bring the serenity of coastal style to any room, anywhere. Natural fiber textures and a calming color palette drawn from sand and sky make this room a relaxing retreat. A weathered chandelier and an antiqued mirror add a sense of age and elegance.
This restful bedroom is a great example of how to bring the serenity of coastal style to any room, anywhere. Natural fiber textures and a calming color palette drawn from sand and sky make this room a relaxing retreat. A weathered chandelier and an antiqued mirror add a sense of age and elegance.
Native woods. This style celebrates wild and woolly nature, and has a more rustic and groovy vibe. It recalls the aesthetic of Sea Ranch in California, the rocky coast of Maine and the heavily wooded shores of the Pacific Northwest.
As seen in this cozy den, the look celebrates materials like wood and stone in big doses. It's the grooviest of the coastal modern styles.
As seen in this cozy den, the look celebrates materials like wood and stone in big doses. It's the grooviest of the coastal modern styles.
Exotic inspiration. Part of native woods is looking at coastal style from around the world. Rich woods, tropical plants and ethnic prints collected together can make you feel like you're halfway around the world even when you're in your own backyard.
Turn your porch, patio, deck, lanai or gazebo into a coastal-feel getaway with a seaside color palette, natural fibers and tropical materials. This space will become your beach-inspired home away from home.
Turn your porch, patio, deck, lanai or gazebo into a coastal-feel getaway with a seaside color palette, natural fibers and tropical materials. This space will become your beach-inspired home away from home.
"I have always been drawn to the ocean. ... It was on my first trip to Hawaii 15 years ago that I really began to visualize my business involving the ocean in a real way," says Clarke.
In fact, Hawaii is continuing to inspire him today. I asked Clarke what his most recent inspiration is, and he said, "I am in Hawaii, and I am loving the black lava against cobalt blue ocean. ... I think I am going to do a whole black and blue room when I get home."
In fact, Hawaii is continuing to inspire him today. I asked Clarke what his most recent inspiration is, and he said, "I am in Hawaii, and I am loving the black lava against cobalt blue ocean. ... I think I am going to do a whole black and blue room when I get home."
However, the look is not strictly minimalist. As you can see in this space, fun beach finds and artwork create a pleasing composition on the wall, and even incorporate the aforementioned driftwood and kitschy mini ship wheels.