Decorating Guides
Decorating Styles
Define Design: California Casual-Chic
Part Surfer-Cool, Part Modern-Luxe, This Style is Pure West Coast
There's a look I've been admiring lately in home design, but I've had trouble putting a name to it. It's a little too casual to feel totally modern, and it's also too fresh to feel particularly traditional. There's a hint of beach-y surfer, and a dash of almost '70s-style relaxed lounge, yet far more pulled together than the davenports of decades gone. Perhaps I've been watching too many episodes of Secrets of a Stylist, but I've decided to give this interior trend its own name: California Casual-Chic. Here's how I'd describe it:
Start with something natural. A live-edge bench mellows out the crisp lines of the modern furnishings in this living area. A nearby pouf and glowing yellow upholstery also take the stuffiness out of the space.
This coffee table made from a tree stump is a focal point to the otherwise serenely low-key room. A few potted succulents also fit the back-to-nature bill.
Introduce a little psychedelic color. While not mandatory, a shock of deep chartreuse, mustard yellow, or orange all work to advance that slightly retro feel I mentioned before. But use sparingly: We're not trying to recreate the basement of That '70s Show.
Floor cushions are good. Poufs too. Anything that promotes lounging and easy entertaining works in this style. An extra-deep sleek sofa in rich orange also invites guests to put their feet up and get comfortable.
Blend indoors with outside. Open windows and doors and an accessible outdoor space make for quintessential California living.
The colors of that incredible beach sunset tie together with the orange accents across this room.
Get low. Low-slung couches are a must. Pick a sofa that's long and wide, but modern and tailored. This is not the place for slipcovers.
Keep things basic in the bedroom. Stick to a minimal aesthetic where you sleep. Think white sheets and no fussy throw pillows, with warmth coming instead from lots of wood accents, and if you're lucky ...
... miles of windows to let in the view.
How do you describe the style where you live?
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How do you describe the style where you live?
More styles, defined:
Modern Rustic: Mod Design Takes a Hike into the Mountains
10 Favorite Features of Spanish Revival Style
Transitional Style: A Bit of Modern and Traditional