Room-by-Room: Beachy Style

Idea House Balcony

Welcome to the Coastal Living Tidewater Landing Idea House, where our team created almost 7,000 square feet of inspirational spaces just steps from the Chesapeake Bay.

Spectacular View
On the first-floor porch of the Idea House, synthetic-wicker seating covered in patterned cushions extends the interior's living and dining spaces.

Tip: Think weatherproof. Select durable outdoor fabrics and furnishings so there are no worries about coming in off the beach and plopping down on the porch.

Elegant Style

In the this living space, pale blue walls soothe the senses and act as a skylike backdrop for off-white furnishings. The upholsteries are soft colors in a variety of textures that give life and harmony to the room.

Tip: Be versatile. Choose furnishings, such as drop-leaf tables and ottomans, that can pull double duty when friends and family visit.

Guesthouse Chic

A private cottage above the garage explodes with color and funky, modern styling -- vividly painted wicker and wood, playful patterns, and tonal striped walls. The juxtaposition of contemporary and cottage styles extends to the convenient kitchen, with its eclectic mix of wicker accents, stainless appliances, a farmhouse-style sink, and soapstone countertops.

Tip: Add history. Seek architectural salvage for instant nostalgia.

Restful Retreat

A plush settee covered in resilient outdoor fabric invites homeowners to the master suite's sitting room. Beneath a bank of windows, a leather-topped, campaign-style desk and chair provide the perfect spot for gazing out over the bay.

Tip: Carve out a sanctuary. Even the smallest area -- the stairway landing or a nook under the roofline -- can provide a spot for quiet contemplation when outfitted with a comfortable chair.

Casual Convenience

A cozy reading nook in this window-wrapped space features twin club chairs in a beachy plaid, a floor lamp with a striped silk shade, and a soft Berber wool rug.

Tip: Build in architectural details. Bookcases, beams, mantels, and wainscoting lend character and permanent style.

Red Hot

Geometric black-and-white fabric covers the queen-size bedframe in this guest suite. On each side, three-drawer, burnished leather chests trimmed in antique brass nailheads support contemporary glass bubble lamps with rust-red shades.

Tip: Let art be your guide. The designers pulled their black, white, and coral bedroom scheme from the subtle hues in the coastal painting.

Savvy Kitchen Space

Frameless cabinets with updated Shaker-style doors in two hues -- enamel-glazed latté above, and toffee-stained cherry below -- combine kitchen utility with low-key polish.

Tip: Break it up. Mix cabinetry finishes for visual interest and variation.

Fine Dining

Tabletop accessories, such as the mercury glass balls and mother-of-pearl bowl, sparkle when the sun streams through the dining room's French doors and windows. The designers put a modern twist on a traditional Queen Anne-style dining table by replacing some of the chairs with a cream-colored, tufted-leather settee.

Tip: Go light. Luminous accents, such as glass and mercury glass, add a contemporary feel.