MAKING WAVES AT HOME
Some advice for establishing simple and subtle beach decor for both seaside and suburbia
What happens at the beach doesn’t necessarily stay at the beach — not if you’re talking about design and decor. Designer Shawn Evans, owner of the design firm P Four, offers up some winning esthetic strategies for celebrating the natural glories of beach living — sun, sand, sea breeze, surf and shells — whether you’re thinking about making your lakefront retreat more welcoming or hoping to invest your urban space with beautiful and functional elements that evoke life at the seashore.
Q I want to design a beach home with a welcoming vibe. Where should I start?
A Talk with the owners to understand how they want to live in the space. Ensuring that a home is both beautiful and functional is critical in residential design. I encourage clients to share personal stories, photos and artifacts to help with inspiration and determine the direction. Also ask clients what existing items (furniture, art, etc.), are important to them. Then it’s about creating a space that reflects the owner’s personality and ensuring comfort and style prevail.
Q My husband and I have enjoyed our beach house and are considering making it our permanent home. But it is not friendly for “aging in place.” We would need to install an elevator, if possible, and figure out more storage space. Do you have any specific ideas for making such a home more accessible?
A Adding an elevator is possible, although it can be difficult from a structural perspective. I recommend consulting a builder who can facilitate the structural engineers, etc. An in-home chair lift or “stair lift” is a possibility that may be easier to install.
Q How do you clean your sisal rugs?
A A little warm water and a toothbrush on stains or spills. The brush is needed to get into the natural fibres. Be careful not to use too much water, as it can cause the fibres to warp and stretch. Dry quickly. For everyday cleaning, the vacuum does the trick.
Q For years I’ve brought the beach to suburbia, in what I hope is a tasteful way: seascape paintings, shells displayed in shadow boxes, wicker furniture on the porch, etc. I am now moving to the beach full time. Will my decorating style be too much?
A I try to be subtle in my beachhouse design and bring the vibe inside in some non-traditional ways. I think it’s whatever makes you happy and if you are living at the beach, why not celebrate it in your home? I love shells and beach art, so perhaps it’s selecting a paint colour that doesn’t make it too much.
Q Blue-and-white nautical never gets tired unless it’s the winter holidays. How can I
make fabric and other choices that can easily transcend the seasons? Obviously pillows and linens are easy and maybe enough, but what about our blue sofa?
A I love the idea of a blue sofa. Blue is one of the most widely accepted colours. A bold blue sofa allows you to easily change pillows and accessories seasonally.
Q My white vinyl-clad kitchen
cabinets installed 22 years ago are yellowing, gummy and, in some cases, peeling. Is it possible to remove the vinyl cladding so I could paint the pressed wood underneath?
A That is a common problem with many aging laminated cabinets. I am not sure I would recommend painting them. You may want to consider replacing the doors with a paint-grade door and then paint everything.
Q What’s the best way to incorporate a beachy colour palette into an urban apartment?
A If you don’t want to paint the walls, add beachy accessories such as pillows and artwork.
Q I have a pair of single-paned glass doors between my living room and library. Both rooms have lots of windows, but the library is on the north side, so its brightness comes from the living room. But it is a functional library and the books are distracting from the living room. I’m thinking of replacing the glass in the doors with one-way mirrors to let in more light. Can this be done with aged mirror? Do you think it’s a good idea?
A I like the idea. I think an antique glass could be beautiful and add some light to your living room while hiding the books you don’t always want to be looking at. You should be able to find an antique mirror at any glass provider.
Q We recently bought a new home in a planned community. It has a walkout basement and we would like to build a deck coming off the kitchen to the main living area. We’d also like to install a sunroom where the walls can be pushed open in summer months — kind of like folding, accordion-glass doors. Can you recommend how we can achieve this?
A For this big project, I would start with a builder, who can facilitate the work needed with engineers and architects.
Q You have a pool, which means there must be people running around in wet bathing suits. Do you often ask them not to sit on the indoor furniture?
A We don’t ask guests to not sit on the indoor furniture with wet suits, as most of our guests respect the home and furnishings. But I did choose durable fabrics and finishes because the home gets a lot of use with large groups.
Q What’s the best formula for a bed in a beach house: duvet, comforter or a light matelassé cover?
A I really enjoy bed linens and tend to layer a lot of bedding, so that our guests have everything they may need as people like to sleep at different temperatures. I often use a light cover and roll up a big, fluffy duvet at the end of the bed. Since we have seven bedrooms and lots of guests, selecting fabrics that are easily laundered is important. Laundry at a beach house never ends!