Coastal Style

After residing in their ranch-style house for three decades, Reed and Jennifer Wilcox decided it was time to give their living room and dining area an update. Working on a small budget, they decided to skip the remodel for now and instead incorporate smaller, more affordable updates. The couple enjoyed the help of decorator and friend Whitney Weigand to assist them produce a concept, plan a layout and decorate the entire space for less than $5,000.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Reed and Jennifer Wilcox; their kids, Hayes, Eloise and Cliff; and their dog, Keo
Location: Lake Highlands area of Dallas
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Sarah Greenman

Jennifer likes mixing contemporary and antique furniture, but recently she’s been transferred by contemporary finishes and metals. In the dining room, metal café seats are paired with an antique table and an upholstered sofa.

Living seats: Lyle Side Chair, Crate & Barrel

Sarah Greenman

The Wilcoxes originally expected to background the accent wall behind the dining set, but after viewing the $900 price tag, they picked for a do-it-yourself approach. They painted the wall a dark version of Analytical Gray by Sherwin-Williams, subsequently used a stencil and metallic paint to create a pattern. The total cost for the accent wall came in at just under $65.

Sarah Greenman

The largest splurge for the household was re-covering that this 100-year-old French-style sofa and chair. They had purchased the set in its original state in the gentleman in Louisiana; the fabric was formerly a dark flowery. Jennifer had the bits re-covered in cream linen and subsequently detailed the woodwork with metallic paint. “I could have purchased three sofas for what I invested to re-cover the one, but I love this bit,” she states.

Sarah Greenman

“I love walking at the front doorway,” says Jennifer. “From that vantage point, I can see several of my favourite things in my property.”

Sarah Greenman

Weigand helped the few pair their existing furnishings with new rugs rugs, task lighting, pillows, textiles and art. “We designed the room with the kids in mind,” Jennifer says. “Nothing is off limits, but my rule is not any sneakers on the cream sofa!”

The lights on both sides of the leather sofa appear similar, but their origins couldn’t be more distinct. The lamp on the right is an expensive designer bit, and the one on the left was discovered in bulk garbage. Jennifer painted the foundation metallic and replaced the shade.

Sarah Greenman

The re-covered French seat and an antique armoire share a quiet corner of their living room. “I love the history, charm and significance behind antique furniture,” says Jennifer. “We have many pieces in our house that have good stories behind them”

Sarah Greenman

The kitchen, upgraded by the previous homeowners, appreciates bright light from a large skylight. Bar stools wrap around the staircase, and an image window over the sink allows the few to keep an eye on their kids in the backyard.

White vase: ceramic, Home Goods

Sarah Greenman

The kitchen is open to a cozy family room, complete with a hearth and flat-screen TV. French doors provide access to the back patio and yard.

Sarah Greenman

In 2011 the Wilcox house was featured on the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA residence venture, which was followed by an auction that raised several thousand dollars for educational and other programs. “It was a wonderful way for us to give back to the community that has supported us in so many ways,” Jennifer says.

Sofa: Silhouette Sofa, Crate & Barrel; cushions: Target

Sarah Greenman

A mounted shelf with hooks provide space for school supplies, jackets and knapsacks. The couple is constantly attempting to keep things neat and easily accessible for their kids. “It is all about space management,” says Jennifer. “We do a great deal of purging in our house.”

Sarah Greenman

The master bedroom is painted in a dark sable gray and contains oversized warm wood furniture. Plush drape panels and toss pillows make for an inviting and cozy atmosphere.

Sarah Greenman

The wooden bed frame was a wedding present in Reed’s parents. Jennifer hung a trio of framed images from an old book about Louisiana on the headboard. The photographs are a sweet reminder of where the family got their beginning.

Sarah Greenman

The couple commissioned local artist Jessica Mandala to sketch images of their children’s christening gowns and Jennifer’s wedding dress. They hang together over a working antique Singer sewing machine that belonged to Jennifer’s grandmother.

Sarah Greenman

Sarah Greenman

Since the household had been on a decorating budget, they adopted their hallway bathroom’s original pink tile and painted the walls with flat gray stripes. Jennifer provides this advice to other married homeowners:”A happy marriage is created when husband and wife have different baths. It has worked for Reed and me for the last 10 decades!”

Sarah Greenman

The girls share a well-appointed bright blue bedroom filled with toys and books. Letters spelling out their names hang over the beds, suspended by ribbons.

Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids

Sarah Greenman

Many of the kids hang next to their original art. “I just can’t seem to eliminate my kids’ art — it’s creating congestion in my closets,” says Jennifer.

Sarah Greenman

Cliff’s bedroom occasionally doubles as a guest room for Jennifer’s mother, who visits frequently. Since it’s tough to sleep three adults and three kids, the couple plans to redesign their floor plan in the coming years. They would love to add another story and update their existing bathrooms also.

Sarah Greenman

Each spring around dusk, the household can see bats flying around the back patio just before the sun sets. “It is rather amazing,” says Jennifer. “After we told our neighbors regarding the bats, they left a bat sound amplifier so not only could we see that the bats, but we could hear them also.”

Sarah Greenman

The Wilcoxes snuggle up for a photo in their garden. “We walk our kids to school; we walk to the grocery store; we stroll to the local park and pool; and live in one of the biggest cities in the U.S. — that is the very best of both worlds,” Jennifer says.

See more photographs of the house | Show us your Property

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Solar panels on the roof, radiant heating and cement flooring are just a flavor of the sustainable features in architect Otis Bradley’s Ojai, California, house. Bradley designed the house to be as efficient as you can in Ojai’s ironic landscape, while incorporating the aesthetic demands and needs of his family. “I like to blend practical building materials and methods in a exceptional way,” Bradley says. “The great thing about designing and building your own house is that you get to experiment with your thoughts.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: Otis Bradley, his wife and two children, and both puppies
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That’s intriguing: Bradley wants to design his next house to be more sustainable — something that sinks to a hillside, for instance.

Lynn Malone

As opposed to going with a traditional floor plan, Bradley designed a great space for many different functions. The kitchen, dining room and living room are on the top floor, making a spacious yet intimate space.

Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone

“Every room gets used frequently,” Bradley says. “There are a great deal of cool areas to hang out.”

The home’s clean lines are softened by warm hues and the textured wood and tile surfaces. The kitchen features a modern feel but is still designed to feel inviting and functional.

Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone

After seeing a number of Bradley’s renderings, a family friend and artist developed a choice of color palettes for your family to select from. The outcome is a combination of rich colors of blues, reds, and greens.

Bradley created ample built-in storage area, such as this shelving unit in the living room. “My spouse likes clean lines and no mess,” he says.

Lynn Malone

“I enjoy a great deal of construction exposed in my layouts,” Bradley says. “There are plenty of rectangles and square borders in the home, but I really don’t like sleek, crude lines. There’s a lot of patterning and richness.”

The property’s staircase leading to the upstairs living area has nothing to hide. The structure’s beautiful combination of wood and steel is fully exposed.

Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone

Everybody in Bradley’s family had their requirements, including the children. Both teens desired their own bathrooms, large built-in desks along with a room in the house to call their very own. A rock climbing wall gives a punchy accent in their shared bedroom.

Each bathroom features two button bathrooms to help reduce water waste.

Lynn Malone

A top slanted roof helps to keep the sun out in the summertime and the interior of the house cool. Bradley installed lots of windows, fostering the energy of the open plan using natural light.

Lynn Malone

The master bathroom fits all of the couple’s needs using a large open shower and his and her sinks lined with vibrant blue and green tiles.

Lynn Malone

Bradley built these bunk beds to the wall in an excess room leading outside. These are an enjoyable and efficient solution for additional sleeping demands, such as when his two children host sleepovers.

Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone

“The design of the house is directly linked to the surrounding climate and environment,” says Bradley. “it’s a lot more difficult to come up with an idea that works with your own parameters, than simply copying another style.”

Among Bradley’s favorite places in his house is the deck. The slanted roof provides shade, and a cool breeze constantly flows through.

The surface of the deck is made of Trex, a durable, low-maintainance mix of plastic and wood.

Lynn Malone

The pathways and patios found throughout the house are manufactured of repurposed slabs of concrete from old sidewalks and drives. It was significant for Bradley to be conscious of the environment with his design. The landscaping includes all native plants that don’t need irrigation.

Lynn Malone

“It is an wonderful site,” Bradley says. “It is close to town but feels far off and has a secluded feeling. There is nothing here but us and the hawks.”

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Neva Williams desperately wished to glimpse and see what had been concealed behind this home’s imposing wall. After passing, she finally had her opportunity once an open-house hint appeared out front. Although Williams, a designer and builder, wasn’t in the market for a new home at the moment, the beautiful adobe house grabbed her. She walked in and said to herself, “This is it — this is my house.” While still holding true to the first California adobe design, Williams has included her own private spins to make a home representing her classic yet eclectic fashion.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Neva Williams
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,300 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That’s interesting: Almost all of the artwork in the House is by local designers.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ love of bold colours is observed both inside and outside the house, with its own bright pink walls and blue doors and windows. In regards to the colour palette, Williams did not have to make very many changes. “Everything was ideal for me,” she states. “This house found me”

Shannon Malone

The outside walls of the home are 22 inches thick (two adobe bricks), and the inside walls are 12 inches thick (one adobe brick). The first beams throughout the home are redwood. “The open beam arrangement is wonderful. You simply can’t rebuild that today,” Williams states.

Shannon Malone

The home is full of bold colour — a mix of Craftsman, Southwestern along with various different styles. “Design should be classic,” Williams states. “Don’t follow trends.”

The pew in this area is in the Ojai church. A striped Navajo rug has been thrown for a dash of colour. The dining table and seats had been passed down by her parents.

Shannon Malone

Although Williams does not specify her fashion since Southwestern, the effect is found throughout the home’s colorful coral walls, fabrics and pottery — such as this classic lawyer bookcase full of multicolored dinnerware.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ ex-husband, Bruce Williams, crafted many of these furniture pieces, such as this hutch in the dining room. Williams discovered this collection of pottery in the Southwest and complemented the display with framed local artwork.

Shannon Malone

Williams utilizes thick curtains rich with texture as an alternate to doors in several rooms.

Shannon Malone

This spacious room generally acts as a home office, however, Williams was preparing to sponsor a wedding when this photograph was taken and was using this space for additional guest sleeping.

Shannon Malone

Over the years Williams has obtained many pieces of furniture out of reveal places and retail spaces she designed within her 30-year design livelihood. This ottoman is from a Guess retail shop she worked on.

Shannon Malone

The past homeowners installed the bright red kitchen flooring. Although it’s a bold choice, Williams loves them. “There is no such thing as an ugly colour,” she states. “It all depends on how it’s used.”

Shannon Malone

Williams did not make any changes to the kitchen since the timeless design and bold colours matched her personal style. All the cabinets in the kitchen have earthquake latches to accommodate Southern California’s notorious quakes.

Shannon Malone

The patio is one of those few places where Williams made significant structural alterations. In adobe houses, outside patios and spaces often lead to different sections of the house. Williams wanted access from the inside, so she enclosed the patio, making an additional interior space for a guest bed.

Shannon Malone

Using its chandelier, flowery fabrics and soft colours, the master bedroom is an ideal manifestation of Williams’ classic fashion.

Shannon Malone

The master bathroom is warm and welcoming with its soft pink hues.

Shannon Malone

When Williams bought the house, there was a lawn in the yard but small other landscaping. She planted a lovely garden with everything from roses to orange trees, including much-needed life and colour to the outside space. “Being from Pasadena, I have to have roses. I really like them,” she states.

Shannon Malone

Williams wanted to create a pool long enough for laps, but nothing too big or broad. She calls the effect “the goddess pool” She built and designed the pool and spa in 2003, using tile from RTK Studios in Ojai.

Shannon Malone

Williams always wanted a red barn, also assembled what she calls for the “Barn House.” The barn attic is fully equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, and is currently inhabited by a renting tenant.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ love of adobe homes stems from time spent in New Mexico learning to build them together with her ex-husband. Although the house wasn’t on document until the 1950s, Williams thinks it was built from the late 1920s. “I’ve had people who used to live here a long time ago stop by and ask to see the home,” she states.

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“God is in the details,” a quote famously attributed to Mies van der Rohe, means a layout’s idea must be thoroughly and always represented through the entire fabric of the design down to its smallest details.

I received a superb email the other day by a girl who had been occupying areas for interesting architecture. She had stumbled upon one of the houses designed by my architecture firm and wrote, “What I have mostly seen has been in the arena of ‘has potential,’ ‘a near miss’ or ‘completely missed chance.’ Until today.”

I believe the has-potential and near-miss houses are often due to poor detailing. I remember the first time, as a pupil in Michigan, I walked through a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Of course the house was impressive, but what struck me what I recall most — was that the consistency of the thought, how Wright taken his architectural thought (substances, rhythms, geometries) through to the smallest details. The house had integrity and depth, like a novel with wonderfully deep and meaningful characters. One may have a terrific idea for a story (has potential) but when written with bad character development, the story will drop flat (a near miss). A poorly detailed home is similar to a novel with shallow characters.

These five jobs help exemplify the importance and potential impact of architectural information.

kbcdevelopments

1. This is a tremendously well-detailed house. Nothing about this endeavor, from top to bottom, is poorly considered. A number of substances come together with a symphonic result — that isn’t easy to do. A considerable amount of thought and work goes into a project to ensure it is clean and simple.

My favourite detail within this endeavor (which probably goes most unnoticed) may be the small recess where the outside wall and the roof link, creating a shadow line that highlights the floating nature of the roofing. Had the recess been too small or too big, or had the fascia been overly thick or too thin, this detail could have failed.

kbcdevelopments

Horizontal lines emphasize the tide of the wall on precisely the exact same project — a potential near miss that instead hits the goal.

PLACE architect ltd..

2. Another well-detailed, well-thought-out project. Every detail, connection and material chosen furthers the overall idea, creating credibility and consistency.

The overhead door expands on the industrial semblance, as do the exposed steel trusses, woven steel fabric and metal.

Website lines architecture inc..

3. Material selection is key to appropriate detailing. The project shown here has beautifully chosen materials for its circumstance. The thin fascia, wooden beams and wooden columns are appropriately sized, and the links aren’t overdesigned.

Website lines architecture inc..

The interior of the exact same endeavor continues the detailing with exposed beams, linear windows and wood flooring.

Website lines architecture inc..

A well considered detail above the garage doors creates a rhythm, a lyricism.

The construction zone, ltd..

4. Sometimes a detail can be enlarged into something special.

From the Sonoran Desert, color is vitally important. A trellis offers shade and may be designed or detailed in a million ways. Here the trellis is comprehensive in such a manner that it becomes its own work of art without veering in the overall aesthetic thought of the house. Still authentic, still consistent.

The construction zone, ltd..

The parts of the trellis move in the breeze, making shifting shadows.

Spry Architecture

5. Much like the opening pages of a novel, this entrance sets the point, offering a hint, a foreshadowing of what is to come. The entrance is simple, nothing extraneous: a rusted metal column, beam and cover. Nothing is wrapped in stucco; there are no extra layers.

To the right is a speech marker: 16 ft of rusty metal bolted to an exposed concrete stem wall with 12-inch-tall water-cut numbers. The sunlight shines from beneath the speech marker, casting a shadow of the numbers streetside.

This small detail sets the stage for the house, which is modern, tidy, linear. The speech marker points to the total idea.

Spry Architecture

Finally, while detailing, one ought to think about the convergence of substances. Here we have sand-finished charcoal-gray stucco converging with stainless steel and decomposed granite, substances often utilized in the desert. Color and texture combine to paint a simple mosaic. Details finish the thought and meet the design’s guarantee.

A project that’s well thought out, in which every detail is carefully considered, will have an integrity that’s often lacking in architecture.

Tell us What are some of your favourite architectural details? Upload a photograph or share your thoughts below.

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Sometimes coastal style brings to mind an explosion of seashells, driftwood, ship’s wheels, nautical and rope versions, with everything themed out in honour of the sea into the max. Not in interior designer to the stars Tim Clarke’s world. Through careful screening and a gorgeous comprehension of mixing textures and materials, he’s created a fresh, updated and contemporary approach to coastal fashion, which he’s sharing with the world in his new book, Coastal Modern. The styles are certainly not confined to beachfront fantasy homes.

Clarke has divided the book into five coastal contemporary styles: Scandia surf, beachfront Mediterranean, shore classic, inherited simplicity and indigenous forests. While each has its own distinct aesthetic, Clarke doesn’t believe in hard and fast rules when it comes to style. His advice for getting the coastal contemporary appearance: “Keep things simple. Use chunky linens in solid colours for upholstery; coating with vintage ticking stripe and large-scale faded print cushions,” he says. “Layer a natural woven carpet with a faded ethnic rug to define a seating area”

Whether you’ve got an ocean view or you’re landlocked in the Midwest, the book is full of gorgeous photography by Noah Webb and useful information from Clarke. This is only one of the most inspirational tomes to grace my coffee table in some time. It makes me dream of the shore and moves me to edit my house. Here’s a glimpse inside.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Scandia surf. This is what Clarke deems “the new Nordic style in the shore.” Drawing from Scandinavian contemporary style, it brings in a airy and light palette, highlights natural substances and celebrates clean lines, superior proportions and uncluttered spaces.

However, the appearance isn’t strictly minimalist. As you can see in this area, fun beach finds and artwork produce a pleasing composition on the wall, and even incorporate the above driftwood and kitschy miniature ship wheels.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Seaside Mediterranean. Clarke draws design inspiration from many countries along the Mediterranean Sea’s coastline, including Morocco, France, Spain, Greece and Italy. Elements such as mosaic tile, aged stone, taupey-gray wood finishes and plaster walls are part of this material palette.

This kitchen illustrates Clarke’s beachfront Mediterranean style with its pared-down aesthetic. It incorporates materials such as wealthy wood counters and limestone floors. Lattice panels include a subtle pattern that recalls North African Mediterranean fashion, while pieces of coral reefs are styled as if they came out of a French flea market.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Beach timeless. Clarke describes this quintessential relaxed and rambling New England shore “cottage” when defining this appearance, remembering the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, Massachusetts. To keep matters livable and comfortable, Clarke urges avoiding having a lot of stuff. Rather, he advises, “simplify to fewer bigger pieces, arranged symmetrically to permit free movement”

Clarke updates the shore classic appearance whilst paying homage to its traditional ago, freshening things up with new (but casual) upholstery, utilizing organic materials such as canvas, sea glass and grass. While he’s attentive to edit, he’s certain to incorporate beloved items, from black and white photos to favored beach reads.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Inherited ease. This style incorporates classic, heirloomworthy pieces into their own sort of coastal style. The key is to use items that are classic; nicks, age and patina simply increase attractiveness. When these furnishings are somewhat more formal, casual arrangement and layering lends the style a relaxed beachy look.

This restful bedroom is a great illustration of how to attract the serenity of coastal style to any room, anywhere. Natural fiber textures along with 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.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Native forests. This fashion 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 noticed in this comfy den, the appearance celebrates materials like stone and wood in large doses. It is the grooviest of the coastal contemporary styles.

Penguin Random House, LLC

Exotic inspiration. Component of native forests is appearing at coastal fashion from round the world. Rich forests, tropical plants and cultural prints collected together can make you feel like you’re halfway across the world even if you’re in your own backyard.

Twist your porch, deck, patio, lanai or gazebo into a coastal-feel retreat with a seaside color palette, organic fibers and tropical substances. This distance will become your beach-inspired home away from your home.

Penguin Random House, LLC

“I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. … It was on my first trip to Hawaii 15 years ago that I actually started to visualize my company involving the ocean in a real way,” says Clarke.

Actually, Hawaii is ongoing to inspire him today. I asked Clarke what his most recent inspiration is, and he explained, “I am in Hawaii, and I am loving the lava against cobalt blue ocean. … I believe I am going to do a whole blue and black room once I get home”

Penguin Random House, LLC

Coastal Modern is available in stores now.

Tour more design publications

More:
So Your Design Is: Coastal

A Neutral Palette Pleases by the Sea

Shingle Style Meets SoHo on the Jersey Shore

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