Friday, March 21, 2014

Welcome to the Beach House - 10 Mudroom Ideas!

What does spring mean?  Everyone is outside (yay!) and enjoying some beach and gardening time - and that means traipsing in and out of your home.  You know what I mean... muddy and sandy footprints; boots, piles of shoes, flip flops- the works!   The perfect solution for beach goers? An entrance from the outside, to inside your home with all of the right ideas; a comfy bench to sit on (how handy for boot wearers!) plenty of storage cupboards and baskets for beach-going "stuff" 

An essential for wet storage -  let not forget about wall hooks! Love interesting hook ideas for jackets, bags, wet towels, bathing suits and other outdoor gear. Great way to store, fishing poles, nets and of course a set of  binoculars is a must!

Here are 10 of my favorite mudroom ideas! Hope one of them gives you some inspiration to try something new at your coastal home.

LOVE those hooks! (I need those hooks...)  Discovered on Houzz - for more of the story - check out the Hipditch House 

 One of my all-time favorite inspiration design images from House Beautiful!  Again, love all of the crazy colors. and easy semi built-ins.   Great striped rug completes this space.

Family Friendly Idea from Waterleaf Interiors  Little bench with painted seashells is simply adorable for kids.

Great color and use of space.  Love the letter-file boxes hanging on the wall.  Pretty darn inventive idea!  For the complete before and after story, check out Simply Seleta's blog post!

Way cool - a color coordinated bench, oar hooks (super cool! ) and lots of cubbies for everything. Personally, I would use indoor-outdoor pillows and cushions for durability.  Maybe a few less pillow too, so that you could actually sit on this bench and put on your beach boots!

Love it - grab and go to the beach!  Beach towels, fishing net and boat cushions - great built-ins.
Both ideas discovered at Coastal Living Magazine.

Like the idea of facing benches, makes it a little intimate space in your beach home!  Picture rail is brilliant too. (source unknown)

Another picture rail too, like the way the designer coordinated the family portraits in black and white.  Such a practical and useful space for families and their friends! Fun Hampton Design from Meg Braff.

From Midwest Living - great little cubbies for all kinds of beach fun!  Great color - beach homes don't always have to be blue and white.

Here's an idea if you only have room for a tiny space, just a few hooks, a small bench with storage and a wall cubbie. Love the beach cottage blues and whites!  (Beachcomber Blog)

Here's a few ideas from our site that may help inspire you to create your own "mudroom" spot -

Hooks that can take a little salt and weather!
Love this black iron whale hook - white is available too!

In my opinion, easy care indoor-outdoor pillows are a must with wet bathing suits, jackets and towels.  A few of my new faves! 

Star of the Sea - Light Blue, available in more colors on our site too!



Vintage Seaside Aqua Octopus Pillow (P.S.He has matching companion pillows too!)


If you need a rug, stick with something easy to keep clean.  Or better yet, hose off with a garden hose!









I would also make sure that you have durable baskets to collect your gear and to store it for future use. Personally, I LOVE these made in America baskets - great for beach towels, bathing suits or to simply store your shoes.  Lots of colors to choose from too!


Rope Walk Basket in Ice Blue and White (there's a matching rug too)


A personalized Beach Sign might be fun too - here are a few examples:  Just change the words around a little and create something special to welcome your guests to your seaside home.



Have a wonderful weekend!  




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

11 Coastal Room Ideas for Aqua and Lime Color Combo!

There's just something Happy about combining aqua blue and lime green in a coastal room scene!  (Or maybe it's the new Pharrell Williams song that has been stuck in my head for weeks now - lol)    I have been collecting images of aqua and lime rooms - trying to be brave enough to fully commit to trying this color combo out.

Had to show you some of my collection, just in case you all need an update for spring too! 

Way cool ceiling idea, including the fun chandelier!  (HouseofTurquoise.com)

 Lots of light and pattern!  I might mix up the lamps a bit, but great ideas to start with!  (ModernPalmBlog.com)

 Adorable small cocktail bar for your covered outdoor area!  (Source: CottageHomeMaine.com)

 I love this tile idea!  Happy kitchen (source unknown)

 Pretty, but subtle.  I could probably pull this look off at our house.  Tom wouldn't protest too much!  

Maybe a little crowded, but you get the idea of combining the colors.   Really like the art and the ceramic stools/tables.  (Found on Houzz.com

 Wouldn't this be a fun little reading nook?   Love the bold stripes! (Found on HouseofTurquoise.com)

 Kiawah Island Dreaming from HGTV's Dream Home!  So pretty - check out all of the images for even more inspiration - HGTV.com

You may have already seen this image on Pinterest or Completely-Coastal.com, but it is simply one of my faves!  Can't go wrong with some large pieces of art - especially when they are fun seashorses.  (Original Source - Southern Living)

 Fabulous fun kitchen design from Anthony Buratta - looks like a party happening! 

Of course, Jane Coslick always has great ideas for combining bright colors!  LOVE her fun cottage style.

What do you think? Have you been brave enough to try this color combo at your house?  Would love to see your ideas!








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