Whenever I daydream about finishing our walk-out basement, I inevitably wind up stuck since the possibilities are wide open. Would we go in a summery Hamptons coastal direction like this dream cottage from Lisa Furey? Or would we go warm and cozy winter cabin getaway? How open should the floor plan be? We’ll peek at the coastal great room of this Palmetto Bluff charmer full of possibilities for us all.
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Coastal Great Room & Paint Colors
Design: Lisa Furey Interiors; Photography: Lindsey Shorter
But first…are you busy in the garden these days? I remember being surprised by the English garden of Vogue’s Anna Wintour:
Were you studying the structure of her garden or distracted by the linen dress Miranda Brooks wears? Here’s a pretty pinstripe-y linen shift in that spirit:
Did that dress have you at POCKETS? Me too!
I swear we’re going to get to this great room. Fine. I’ll share the good stuff straight away:
Predominant Paint Color
The most important color throughout this project is a cool off white that I am pretty confident about myself. I slathered buckets of it on the interiors at our former home even before this home was built. Here it is:
I explored this off white in detail in the link below:
What is OC-151 like? Crisp and cool with blue undertones. Benjamin Moore calls it “a classic, all-purpose white that creates a clean canvas in the home.”
If it looks like a warmer white in the photos, that’s because of the sunlight warming it.
This is why it is always important to sample multiple whites and watch how they change throughout the day as the light changes. Do visit this if you need ideas for the best bright white for your home.
OC-151 Inside and Out
In this image, notice how BM White OC-151 looks on the board and batten exterior and shiplap interior:
Design Elements in Great Room
We’ll deconstruct the design elements in this coastal cottage’s open floor plan great room and learn more about how to get a breezy look with a restrained color palette.
A shiplap paneled ceiling is painted the same white as walls, trim, and doors. In a lofty space, the mood is kept celestial, informal, and unfussy.
Need these exact indigo blue linen pillows on sofas? They are custom Schumacher Andromeda. The coffee table is Oomph Edgartown.
It’s easy to see how important the white painted interior is for unifying various elements which could get busy with the various textures. Built-ins flank the fireplace and nearly disappear. That’s the thing about introducing plenty of texture…it can be your color when you’re cray cray for limited or no color!
You can also see how windows are left cover-less. If privacy is not an issue, it’s always an option when you are maximizing natural light.
The open floor plan means the kitchen and dining area are open to the living area.
In the kitchen, you can see how the range hood design was taken all the way to the peak of the vault.
Decorating Ingredients for Great Room: Lighting
Need a place to start for classic, coastal style lighting? Make sure to look to Thomas O’Brien. The quality of the lighting designed by him is top notch. (We have a Thomas O’Brien chandelier in our breakfast nook.)
If the pendants are discontinued, check out other coastal style lights by Visual Comfort or Thomas O’Brien. Isn’t it crazy that is is often the more simple, unfussy styles that are difficult to find?
Here are a few options for simple glass table lamps:
Since I have seen these in person, I can attest they are lovelier than they appear in these photos!
These examples are versatile enough to will work with a range of furniture and styles!
Blue & White Pillows
The exact pillows in this great room are custom made with an indigo and white linen fabric by Schumacher called Andromeda:
But not to worry! You can easily find custom pillows these days online – even the exact pillows (tap the image below):
BONUS! If you love this pattern, it is available for Andromeda wallpaper:
For another option with indigo and white:
When it makes sense to choose pillows that will stand up to kids and the outdoors…
And this one is a handsome, classic, reversible stripe with a subdued blue chambray:
I’m partial to the chinoiserie feel of this coastal Morningside Pillow Cover:
This blue and white pillow features a warmer shade of white:
Serena & Lily’s Kemp embroidered pillow in navy is utterly charming. Be sure to expand the photo when you view it on their site to fully appreciate:
Schumacher’s Betwixt indigo/ivory fabric is another classic pattern for upholstery and won’t fall from favor:
Ikat pillows such as these will also impart a similar feeling as that Andromeda pattern in our inspiration room:
Need White Sofa Ideas?
The exact sofa in the great room?
Sullivan sofa is here, and check out THIS POST with more white sofa possibilities.
Have a preference as far as sofa seat cushions?
I have grown fond over the years for a single bench cushion.
Here’s another image of that same sofa:
Or individual cushions like the sofas I have in our family room?
In my own living room, our long sofa has a single cushion:
In my opinion, 3-seat sofas can be as equally comfortable.
So you certainly don’t have to sacrifice comfort; it is a matter of to what your eye is drawn.
Coffee Table Options
The exact coffee table: Oomph Edgartown, and for a similar look see this one:
This one’s so chic:
And here’s a casual round with island chic that feels modern rustic for a small space:
Here’s a budget conscious option that provides plenty of display/storage space:
Natural Fiber Area Rugs
If you live with a jute area rug, than you may know how much ease they bring.
The neutral color works with everything, and you can easily layer another rug.
So forgiving, they are a classic, timeless element that won’t feel out of style next season.
Shopping for something softer and still neutral? I love this inexpensive beauty:
Neutral enough that it can feel like a wood floor no matter what flooring you presently have. And it’s possible to still pull in beautiful coastal blues.
Ideas for White Oak Flooring
So many fans of coastal style and informal modern country decor are sold on the beauty of white oak for flooring.
Both traditional hardwood or engineered wood flooring are options, and don’t be shy about engineered products. They bring a stability that rivals that of a wood floor.
There was a time I felt shy about pre-finished hardwoods, but no more! If you have lived through chapters of renovation where the wood floors are finished on site, you know it’s a toxic, messy, expensive, labor-intensive prospect!
Another option beyond wood flooring? LVP is what many homeowners with pets swear by. Here’s my current favorite which reminds me of white oak. The quality, wide plank ease for the installer, and price are hard to beat! Obviously read through the reviews before you even snag a sample.
Great Room’s Staircase Design
What I particularly admire about the design of the staircase in this open floor plan family room is how it is more modern and refined. No bulky newel posts or anything rustic here. What goes wrong quickly in projects where modern farmhouse is the predominant vernacular, is going too far with modern farmhouse everything. It can quickly date a project.
Staircase Light Fixture
Coastal Cottage Video
Cottage & Great Room Paint Colors
The paint color for interiors and exterior as well as trim, ceilings, and cabinetry? BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151.
Master Bathroom Vanity Paint Color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Tinsmith.
Grey Kitchen Island Paint Color: BENJAMIN MOORE Pashmina AF-100
Blue cabinet in entry: BENJAMIN MOORE Andes Summit.
Dining Area in Great Room
The exact ceramic vases are often hard to find and out of stock:
So I suggest peeking at Pottery Barn’s Frasier collection in the slate colorway. They are crafted by hand, textured, and look so great on a mantel, console or side table.
The woven rope dining chairs are so well made and gorgeous:
You may be able to snag the look of those arm chairs HERE.
Deck Resource Ideas
Here are a few ideas for getting the look of this relaxing patio:
Why not bring that indigo blue from inside outside too?
You could also opt for classic metal chairs:
No need to keep it matchy-matchy with your blues. This softer blue gingham pillow feels coastal and casual if you want a relief from the indigo and cobalt blue:
Blue Accents in a Cottage
Designer Lisa Furey used the navy paint color BENJAMIN MOORE Andes Summit as an accent on a cupboard in the entry and door below.
Another coastal blue paint color to capture the spirit here? BEHR Deep Azure, similar to Andes Summit above.
Board & Batten Cottage Inspo
In case you’re curious about the texture on the outside of this property:
The designer and former owner called it a blend of coastal cottage and modern farmhouse, and I might call it modern country coastal.
Isn’t the metal roof charming?
And how amazing to have a separate guest house AND a separate studio (above the garage)?
Like a private kingdom…and who isn’t dreaming of a sustainable sanctuary in light of the changing landscape of “home” and “work” in the 2020s?
Great Room’s Kitchen
Make sure you don’t miss the part of this house tour with the coastal cottage kitchen RIGHT HERE!
See more of this house tour with these stories:
Coastal Cottage Kitchen & Entryway
Coastal Cottage Bedrooms & Bathrooms
And for fans of Nancy Meyers aesthetic, take a peek at this!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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