Room of the Day: Nautical Living Area Inspired by Green
A Northeast coastal guesthouse conjures up the sea with an unexpected mix of color and pattern
Jennifer Christgau-Aquino
May 11, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Craftsman bungalow fan turned Eichler enthusiast, vinyl record collector and die hard home renovator who loves to turn antiques modern (a piano yellow, an iron bed hot pink….)
Houzz Contributor. Craftsman bungalow fan turned Eichler enthusiast, vinyl record... More
When going for a nautical look, many would veer toward blue over bright green. Designer Frank de Biasi wanted a seaside theme in his client’s guesthouse, but he had to preserve a ceramic tile floor featuring a bold pattern of greens. Instead of fighting the color, he figured out a way to embrace it.
Living Area at a Glance
Location: Long Island Sound
Size: Open living, dining and eating area is part of a 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) guesthouse
Designer: Frank de Biasi
Tip: “Don’t be afraid to reuse something that is interesting and old. A lot of designers want to change everything. There’s something beautiful about using something existing,” de Biasi says.
The homeowners had recently purchased an expansive property on Long Island Sound. They wanted to remodel its 1980s boathouse for guests and use it as a living space during a renovation of the main house.
Location: Long Island Sound
Size: Open living, dining and eating area is part of a 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) guesthouse
Designer: Frank de Biasi
Tip: “Don’t be afraid to reuse something that is interesting and old. A lot of designers want to change everything. There’s something beautiful about using something existing,” de Biasi says.
The homeowners had recently purchased an expansive property on Long Island Sound. They wanted to remodel its 1980s boathouse for guests and use it as a living space during a renovation of the main house.
The owners wanted to redecorate the space but keep the original ceramic tile flooring, a bold diamond pattern in multiple shades of green. “It gave me a pretty interesting starting point,” de Biasi says. “It’s a pretty intense shade of green.”
He knew that he was limited in what he could do with the color palette. Blue seemed too obvious of a choice for a waterfront home, and he feared it would clash with the floor.
He knew that he was limited in what he could do with the color palette. Blue seemed too obvious of a choice for a waterfront home, and he feared it would clash with the floor.
He chose to stick with shades of green. “It was a little unexpected, fresh and fun,” he says.
The living room’s central feature is a custom green coffee table from London. The artist molds foam resin, which is then left to dry and harden. The table is very heavy, but de Biasi likes it because it’s a contemporary take on a frothing wave.
The living room’s central feature is a custom green coffee table from London. The artist molds foam resin, which is then left to dry and harden. The table is very heavy, but de Biasi likes it because it’s a contemporary take on a frothing wave.
He referenced the water in other ways throughout the room. The curtains featuring a wavelike pattern are based on a vintage blue-and-red French Le Manach fabric from the 1940s. He had it duplicated in green and cream. The choice introduced another bold pattern to the room, but its larger scale sets it off nicely from the floor.
The sofa alludes to the sea with a rope-wrapped frame de Biasi designed. Green piping sets off the cream cushions.
The sofa alludes to the sea with a rope-wrapped frame de Biasi designed. Green piping sets off the cream cushions.
The kitchen got an update with a louvered island and cabinets that seemed shiplike to de Biasi.
The kitchen contains a microwave, small stove and refrigerator. The homeowners sometimes use the house as a staging area for outdoor parties, so there is an ice maker and storage for serving dishes.
The beams over the kitchen were refinished and left exposed to help define the area. A staircase just behind the kitchen leads to a guest bedroom.
The kitchen contains a microwave, small stove and refrigerator. The homeowners sometimes use the house as a staging area for outdoor parties, so there is an ice maker and storage for serving dishes.
The beams over the kitchen were refinished and left exposed to help define the area. A staircase just behind the kitchen leads to a guest bedroom.
The existing windows were refinished; they offer great views of the property and water.
The custom cabinets and mirrors on either side of the window were made from pieces of scrap wood given a lacquered finish.
The custom cabinets and mirrors on either side of the window were made from pieces of scrap wood given a lacquered finish.
The house was a challenge, de Biasi says, but a good one. “It gave us a focus and an immediate game plan to run with,” he says. “It narrowed our options, so it was a faster decision-making process.”
See more Rooms of the Day
More ideas on decorating with green
See more Rooms of the Day
More ideas on decorating with green
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
Wonderfully nice space. I can't get on board with the horizontal stripe curtains, though. Not quite sure why. I would love them in a vertical stripe. Green is underused, in my opinion. Really enjoyed this post.
Minimum furniture - all space. And the horizontal stripes are space-adding. Though green table may be only guest-impressing..