1. Lighten Up
Paint walls white. We prefer hues with a hint of cream because they look less stark. Liven the results by painting architectural elements, such as ceiling rafters, a bright shade. For added contrast, you can also paint windows, doors, and moldings bold colors.
Whites we like: Decorators White #04, White Dove #06, Linen White #72 (all by Benjamin Moore)
2. Give a Lift
Make the ceilings above your porch or living spaces seem higher with a hint of ocean blue. Remember, a little color goes a long way. The effect is not meant to be dramatic, so choose a delicate shade.
Best blues: Homestead Resort Spa Aqua #5004-5A by Valspar (available at Lowes), and Brighton Beach #108-E by Ace Paint.
3. From the Ground Up
Paint wooden floors. The result is whimsical and fun, especially on porches or in kitchens. Paint floors solid, stripe them, or create a seaside mural underfoot, with faux sand, shells, and coral.
Designer tip: For durability, use interior/exterior porch and floor enamel. Cover murals with clear polyurethane.
4. Add Texture
Bring the outside in at a relatively low cost with natural floor coverings, such as sisal, sea grass, jute, or bamboo. They all make great area rugs, and sea grass and sisal can be applied wall-to-wall or as stair runners.
Find it fast: potterybarn.com, naturalarearugs.com, curranfloor.com
5. Create Shade
Replace formal sheers or metal blinds with woven, bamboo, or linen shades to lend a casual feel to any room. Roman shades are inexpensive and fold up to let in loads of natural light.
Go to the source: target.com, smithandnoble.com, theshadestore.com
