Going coastal: How to create the laid-back beachy bach look using blues and whites
There’s nothing like getting away from it all to shed the stresses of everyday life. A change of scene with a vacation at a bach, crib or holiday house creates a mental shift signalling that it’s time to press pause, unwind — and stop rushing.
Part of that feeling of relaxation comes from the change of environment. Create a coastal-look home which is both uplifting and relaxing to maximise holiday time. Or if you can’t getaway, why not create a coastal feel at your own home to enjoy year round.
Blue and white is a classic coastal combination, mimicking feel-good vistas of sea and shore. Create the rejuvenating feeling of sand in your toes and the gentle crash of ocean waves with watery aquas and whites and creams that are bright and reflect light.
Walls in Resene Frozen, floor in Resene Alabaster. Serving tray painted in Resene Bali Hai, rattan chair in Resene Casper. Bedside table in Resene Bali Hai, candle tea light in Resene Blue Moon, rattan tea light in Resene Frozen, small shell dish in Resene Quarter Frozen. Artwork Resene Bali Hai and Resene Alabaster. Duvet cover, white and blue linen pillowcases from Foxtrot Home. Euro pillowcases from Ezibuy. All other items are stylist’s own.
Take the blues tonal
The tonal trend may seem daunting, but it’s easily achieved simply by layering graduated shades of blue. Choose a ‘hero’ base colour and add darker and lighter blue accents. Although Resene Frozen is described as a cool winter grey blue it’s actually the perfect hero shade for a summery beach-look. Pair Resene Frozen with a light-coloured floor – we’ve painted this concrete floor using the hardwearing satin-finish paint, Resene Walk-on, tinted with off-white Resene Alabaster. Keep the furnishings soft with natural materials such as jute, rope, rattan and linen and choose accessories in a variety of different shapes and sizes painted in various blues and both matte and gloss finishes
Tip: To create your own seaside art, take a large canvas and paint the base colour (ours was in Resene Bali Hai). We used a large brush and didn’t take the paint all the way to the edge of the canvas leaving a white border. Add details in white, leave to dry and hang.
Keep it simple
Floor in Resene Cut Glass, tongue-and-groove wall in Resene Cut Glass, cabinets in Resene Kumutoto, large tray coffee table in Resene Teal Blue, small tray table in Resene Foam and coasters in Resene Norwester. Smallest round vase in Resene Hippie Blue, tea light holder in Resene Dauntless, mid-size round vase in Resene Scandal. Sofa, rug, Brad Malyon framed canvas – Bondi Ants, chair and candleholder from Freedom Furniture. Cushions and throw from Adairs.
To achieve the laid-back seaside vibe, keep it simple and don’t overcrowd a living area with too much furniture. A wide-open floorplan lets in light and a paired-back seating area with a couch and a couple of stand-alone chairs, will ensure friends and family have room to stretch their legs and enjoy their own space. The uplifting crisp blue of Resene Cut Glass on the walls and floor keeps the room light and emulates clear blue skies. The cabinet in Resene Kumutoto adds aqua tones to the room and a retro element that channels the look of baches of the 1950s.
Nature enter me
Natural materials and colours inspired by the outdoors create a feeling of seaside calm. Choose soft wood stains such as Resene Woodsman Mid Greywash or Resene Woodsman Whitewash to mimic the look of sun-bleached driftwood and pair with walls painted in calming shades such as Resene Half Opal. Neutral-coloured bed linen combined with rattan and rope furniture painted in delicate blues and greens, such as Resene Half Duck Egg Blue and Resene Surf Crest, brings the outdoors in.
The Resene Half Opal wall and Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash floor are a gentle pairing creating the coastal look. The rattan peacock chair is in Resene Surf Crest, the nesting tables are in (from left to right) Resene Half Cut Glass, Resene Secrets and Resene Kandinsky and the cane table is in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.
Hello sailor
While nautical and coastal are technically two different looks, nothing signals pure freedom quite like the open water. A bach bedroom with a strong red-white-and-blue nautical theme, can be a fun way to bring a love of sailing ashore. To achieve this naval look, opt for deeper masculine blues such as Resene Tangaroa and Resene Indian Ink. These rich colours will make a room feel cosy like the cabin of a ship. Contrast the deep blues with a timber floor stained with Resene Woodsman Mid Greywash. The buoy garland and the life preserver in Resene Raging Bull add a nautical pop of red.
The wall is painted in Resene Tangaroa, a rich marine green-blue, the colour helps it stand out further from the adjacent walls in deeper Resene Indian Ink. The two hues are offset by timber floorboards finished in Resene Woodsman Mid Greywash and the white headboard and bedside table, both painted in Resene Half Black White. The buoy garland, life preserver wreath and lidded container are all painted in Resene Raging Bull. Lamp from Freedom Furniture. Bed cover set from Ezibuy. Pillowcases from Citta. Cushion, throw, mirror and planter from H&M Home. All other props are the stylist’s own.
images Bryce Carleton
styling Laura Lynn Johnston, Vanessa Nouwens
DIY life preserver wreath
DIY bouy garland
Published: 17 Dec 2020
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Frozen
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bali Hai
Resene Bali Hai
Resene Casper
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Teal Blue
Resene Teal Blue
Resene Foam
Resene Norwester
Resene Norwester
Resene Hippie Blue
Resene Hippie Blue
Resene Dauntless
Resene Dauntless
Resene Scandal
Resene Scandal
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Kandinsky
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Frozen
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bali Hai
Resene Bali Hai
Resene Casper
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Teal Blue
Resene Teal Blue
Resene Foam
Resene Norwester
Resene Norwester
Resene Hippie Blue
Resene Hippie Blue
Resene Dauntless
Resene Dauntless
Resene Scandal
Resene Scandal
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Kandinsky
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.