Subtle Color Splash

Thorougly Modern Master

Designer Troy Beasley pairs bold geometric shapes with luxe fabrics and an energizing color palette for a look that is appealingly polished.

I love the yellow with the grey, black and white, the room feels fresh and still peaceful!

High Style Meets High Tech

Designer Troy Beasley takes luxury and convenience to a new level in this master bedroom. The 12-foot chocolate mohair headboard visually grounds the room while elegantly concealing controls for the room's lighting and electronic devices.

Bright Is Just Right

Designer Gina Fitzsimmons deftly balances vibrant lime and cool blue with crisp, clean white for a look that is both energetic and serene.

Subtle Sophistication

Anchor gray walls create a soothing, neutral backdrop for metallic touches and creamy bedding, draperies and furnishings.

Tangled Up In Blue

Designer Angelo Surmelis creates a cocoon-like effect by painting both the walls and coffered ceiling in a cool, soothing blue.

Love Your Laundry Room

Concealed Laundry

Sliding doors and a front-loading machine combine for beauty and efficiency.

By concealing a front-loading washer and dryer in a custom cabinet, this space becomes multipurpose. One minute it's a fully functional laundry with plenty of room for folding and hanging clothes. Then, once clothes are put away, it becomes a decorative serving area.
The key to this laundry solution is the front-loading washer and dryer, because a square cabinet fits around the appliances to conceal them. Although front-loading appliances may cost more than standard units (full-size stacking units are a similar investment), they are worth every additional penny when making an awkward, little-used space more efficient.
Stenciled motifs on each door provide a distinctive finishing touch. Although this family chose to use sliding doors, a piece of fabric or a standard door made to fit the cabinet would also work.

Laundry and Craft Rooms

The sink in this stylish and functional laundry room has a wall-mounted faucet; the backsplash is made up of festive glass tiles. Cabinetry, with beaded-board fronts, surrounds three walls.

Chic Laundry Rooms

Turn a lackluster laundry room into a place that’s a pleasure to work in. Pretty wallpaper and a handy utility sink turn it into a flowery workstation for everyday chores.

Hall Laundry Area

This home's side entrance functions full-time as a stylish space and part-time as a laundry room.

Because this side entrance hall doubles as a laundry area, guests routinely arrived to be greeted by... the washer and dryer. That is, until the homeowners devised a clever disguise.
A piece of solid maple rests directly on top of the front-loading appliances; it provides a great spot for folding laundry. Because the countertop isn't permanently attached, it can easily be removed if either unit needs repair work.
The durable upholstery-weight skirt material is attached to a shower curtain tension rod. Making it a breeze to access the appliances, the skirt is divided into three sections.
Across from the washer and dryer is a full wall of cabinets that are painted a crisp white. They extend to the ceiling, providing maximum storage. Filled with vases, china, and cleaning items, the cabinets are a perfectly organized catch-all.

Closet-Turned-Laundry

In its previous life, the closet that holds a stackable washer/dryer was the kitchen pantry.

The homeowners turned the door around so it faced the hall. A pull-out shelf in the center of the appliance makes fast work of folding clothes. To add interest to the space, the couple chose a French door for the closet. They then installed a custom cabinet, painted a glossy white, next to the closet.It features three pull-out hampers and ample storage space for linens and detergent.

Just a note:  I ordered the most delightful laundry fragrance, you use it in the rinse cycle and only a capful will do. The scent I ordered from Tyler is called, "Diva". I promise, you will LOVE this product.

Design Touches

Add Seating

A chaise longue (French for long chair) is a relaxing addition to the bedroom. Designed for reclining, they're the perfect spot for reading a book or catching a quick snooze.

Creatively Use Space

A converted  seldom-used attic was transformed into a sprawling master suite complete with a spa-like bathroom, entertainment lounge and bedroom proper. The suite's three areas are clearly defined yet still feel connected, courtesy of partial wall dividers like the floor-to-ceiling draperies separating the bedroom from the rest of the suite.

Opt for Old World Elegance

A custom canopy and rich drapery panels make the bed the dramatic centerpiece of this luxurious master suite. Certainly a high-end look, a bed crown is a relatively easy project to accomplish. Simply attach a fabric valance to a wooden shelf to create a cornice, then suspend the drapes from a cafe rod mounted within.

Don't Forget the Ceiling

Often overlooked, the ceiling is a room's fifth wall. RMSer kblalock gave hers the custom treatment with coffers, tray molding and recessed lighting.

Create an Escape

True, we can't all have an oceanfront view, but we can take a few cues from this laid-back, coastal style. Add a touch of the tropics with a seagrass rug, exotic accessories and gauzy sheers surrounding the bed.

Dining Room Styles

Bold Yet Balanced

Erinn's Tip: "When designing this room, I started with the drapery fabric, which has a repeating pattern of little white monkeys — it's very whimsical and fun. Once the drapes were pleated, the pattern became more subtle, which is nice. I contrasted the small pattern in the drapes with the large geometric rug. Finally, I selected a bold citrus fabric for the vintage Italian chairs. The three patterns are very different but work together beautifully because the scale is varied." Design by Erinn Valencich.

Spicy Spanish Style

Designer Erinn Valencich gave this room a modern twist with a fabric shade in a large-scale print and ethnic-inspired rug. Errin's Tip: "Paired with solid walls and furniture, the patterned shade and rug really pop. With a rug this bold, you wouldn't want to use patterned chairs. The shade and rug work well together because they share similar colors but don't touch."

Fresh Hues

If you crave color, take a cue from designer Shelly Riehl David. The saturated yellows and greens in this dining room create a refreshing palette while contrasting splashes of red and pink add to the pop. Erinn's Tip: "Have fun! Mixing patterns is a great way to really spice up a dining room." Personally, this is tooooo bold for my taste and the blue lamp doesn't work in this palette in my opinion. However, it does make a bold statement if you like funky!

Coppery Glow

By using a copper tone throughout, designer Erinn Valencich was able to fill this space with small and large patterns that work together to create a polished whole. Errin's Tip: The upholstered side chairs have a soft, circular pattern while the head chairs received a bolder circular pattern that demands attention. The rug has a soft, faded-over-time look that allows it to pair well with the various fabrics in the room.

Beginner's Guide to Gardening

Get Growing

So, it's garden time. Your outdoor space is cleared out, cleaned up, and ready to be planted.
And whether you're taking on larger endeavors or simply planting containers for the patio, it's important to do your homework and really know your outdoor area before getting started.
With the following to-do list (don't worry, it will be easy!), you'll be fully prepared to take on shopping for and planting your garden with confidence and style.

Guide to a Nursery

Garden nurseries can be a bit overwhelming when you visit for the first time. There are so many beautiful plants to choose from, how do you know what's best for your home?
Lydia Pursell, owner of Leaf 'N Petal, says, "The best customer is a prepared customer."
What to Do Before:
• Know the dimensions of the area (or container) you're planting.
• Take pictures of your space to help choose plants and containers.
• Study your beds to see how much light they get during the day.

Choosing Containers

Even if you're lacking outdoor acreage, container gardens are easy to incorporate into many spaces -- including porches, decks, and even front entries.
There are a wide variety of containers on the market, making it easier to choose a color, size, and style to fit your home's look and add outdoor appeal.

Garden Art

From whimsical garden gnomes to adorned stakes, garden art is back and bigger than ever.
The rule to choosing garden art is that there is no rule! Simply pick and choose pieces that you love, and then let your personal creativity and style shine through in your selections.

Engaging Your Senses

Take a cue from your kindergarten days and remember the five senses when planting your garden. (If you need a refresher course, they're touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound.)
By incorporating all of these, your garden or outdoor room will feel completely relaxing, whether you're enjoying a good book alone or entertaining guests at a weekend gathering.

Carefree Coreopsis

Tolerant from zones 3 through 11, there is coreopsis for just about every flower garden. Commonly called tickseed, this relative of the sunflower prospers in dry, sunny locations with poor soil, making it ideal for problem areas in the garden. Coreopsis makes an ideal centerpiece in containers surrounded by shorter trailing flowers.

Succulent Success

A broad group of tough, drought-tolerant plants including sedum, aloe, agave, and cacti, succulents are the perfect plant for gardeners who forget to water. If planted in well-drained soil, they require only a sunny spot and occasional watering.
Potted heat-tolerant cactus and aloe beautify decks and patios in the summer before being brought inside for the winter. Not all succulents are warm-weather plants, however. Showy sedums, such as the popular 'Autumn Joy', are hardy from zones 3 to 10

Spring Accent Trends

Filigree

Inspired by a global appreciation of ironwork scrolls and delicate embroidery, filigree is popping up on walls, bedding, and textiles. The finely wrought designs, full of swirls, curlicues and flourishes, are as fresh as a sweet pea tendril. Pierced and intricately carved designs fall under this highly decorative look. I love the cool colors, classy and warm!

A Bit of Spice

Bands of filigree criss-cross this Moroccan pendant light, found at Horchow.

 Every room, whether traditional or modern, needs a dose of ethnic design.

Asian Interlude

Asian motifs compose a patchwork of design across the back and arms of a rattan chair. Flank a round skirted table with these exotic imports.
$525
Available atGump's San Francisco

A Dose of Damask

Laser cutting has enabled the filigree trend to flourish. Here, a rug is cut into an elegant damask pattern, perfect for bringing a note of whimsy to a modern room.
$99 to $499
Available at Brocade Home

Bold Beauty

A boldly carved bed frame, painted black, gives your bedroom a fashion-forward edge.
$349-$449
Available at Brocade Home

Coastal Carolina Estate

Living Room

Elements such as upholstered walls, an oversized ottoman, and a woodsy fireplace make this large living room feel cozy. Designer Philip Sides used limed oak to surround the fireplace, giving it a look of sun-bleached wood. The symmetrical styling and lounge-like seating add to its peaceful feeling.

Dining Room

Soft colors and objects continue into the dining room, where a stylized teapot pattern engulfs the small space with softness, covering the walls and hanging as draperies. A Chinese pot as a table base and a hand-carved egret further emphasizes the room’s relaxed character.

Kitchen

Stained black cabinets recede into the background of this kitchen that opens to the dining room. A contrasting island with a medium stain looks like a rehabbed antique table. Nail heads on the barstools give them a designer look, and handles on the seatbacks make them easy to move around.

The Master Suite

The curtain’s leaf-print fabric was the inspiration for the bold yet soothing chartreuse and gray color scheme. A four-poster bed gets the royal treatment when nestled in swaths of two different gray fabrics, a color that is present throughout the house.

Watch the video

The Master Bathroom

The glass mosaic tile backsplash and the vanity’s mirror-paneled doors provide touches of sleek sophistication. Tall, slender, curvy proportions of the vanity’s sconces play to the high ceilings.

The Guest Bedroom

Because of the shape of this room, the only space for the bed was underneath a set of bay windows. Swing arm lamps were attached directly to the headboard, upholstered in a bold orange. The low-slung alcove headboard runs the entire length of the window.

The Rec Room

Bocce balls for giants are whimsical accessories for a room dedicated to fun and games. The large room calls for big-scale prints, like the flowery curtains.

The Sleeping Porch

A wall of windows shows that this large room was originally an exterior space. A hanging bed feels like an indoor hammock. Every detail, from the whitewashed floor to the shellacked beaded-board walls, is designed to look like a porch that has been enclosed.

The Screened Porch

Wicker furniture in streamlined silhouettes turns this beach house must-have into sophisticated pieces. Gauzy curtains filter harsh sunlight and add elegance to the casual space.

More About the House

Love this house? From paint colors to furniture, everything you love about the house is listed here in the Coastal Living Idea House Style Guide.

Artichoke Candleholder

Green Tip: Choose natural candles. Many candles are made from paraffin, which is derived from petroleum (a non-renewable source), and are not biodegradable. Choose eco-friendly natural soy and beeswax candles, which are made from renewable sources and burn cleaner than paraffin candles.

Materials Needed:

• dried globe artichoke heads
• garden shears
• thin wire
• scissors

• pillar candle
• empty tea light container or aluminum foil
• glue

Step 1

Cut the artichoke stem with a pair of garden shears so the base sits level when placed on a flat surface.

Step 2

Wind one end of the wire around artichoke's stem. Wrap the wire twice around the head to hold the leaves in place and secure it again at the base.

Step 3

Cut out the choke in the center of the flower head with a pair of scissors to create a hole that's just a bit larger than the candle.

Step 4

Cover the candle base with an empty tea light container or foil. Glue the candle into the center of the artichoke.

Modern Bathrooms

A Modern Master Bathroom

In this master bathroom, designer Vicente Wolf placed Clodagh Collection's Zen cast-concrete tub on a concrete slab inside the glassed-in shower enclosure to make it "a sculptural focal point." Faucets and shower fixtures by Waterworks.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this master bath!!!!!!!!!!

In this master bath designed by Fern Santini, Princess Yellow limestone from Ann Sacks surrounds a bathtub by Kohler.

A Swanky Bathroom

Designed by Paolo Moschino the sink in this master bathroom is an antique commode refitted with a limestone sink.

The pictures compliment the animal print on the chair, glad to see animal prints showing up in baths!

A Calming Bathroom

The floating tub and walls in brown vinyl grasscloth — Elitis through Donghia — give the master bath designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber an aura of absolute calm.

Designer Nancy Boszhardt said, "We were so lucky to come across this marble. It's no longer available and there was just enough for the master bathroom." The house originally had arches throughout, and Boszhardt restored that architectural feature.

Striking touch for a dramtic statement!!

A Roman-Inspired Bathroom

In this master bath designed by J. Randall Powers, the rays of an antique starburst mirror hung in a round window are echoed in a contemporary wheelback armchair. The limestone floors, marble countertops, and alabaster urns reference ancient Roman materials.