Catherine Tighe

Photography by Richard Chivers https://www.rchivers.co.uk/ Island Cottage is an existing dwelling constructed in 1830, in a conservation area at the southern limit of Sidlesham Quay village, West Sussex. The property was highlighted by the local authority as a key example of rural vernacular character for homes in the area, but is also sited in a major flood risk area. Such a precarious context therefore demanded a considered approach, however the original building had been extended over many years mostly with insensitive and cumbersome extensions and additions. Our clients purchased Island Cottage in 2015. They had a strong sense of belonging to the area, as both had childhood memories of visiting Pagham Harbour and were greatly drawn to live on the South Coast after many years working and living in London. We were keen to help them discover and create a home in which to dwell for many years to come. Our brief was to restore the cottage and reconcile it’s history of unsuitable extensions to the landscape of the nature reserve of Sidlesham and the bay of Pagham beyond. The original house could not be experienced amongst the labyrinthine rooms and corridors and it’s identity was lost to recent additions and refurbishments. Our first move was to establish the lines of the original cottage and draw a single route through the house. This is experienced as a simple door from the library at the formal end of the house, leading from north to south straight towards the rear garden on both floors. By reinstating the library and guest bedroom/bathroom spaces above we were able to distinguish the original cottage from the later additions. We were then challenged by the new owners to provide a calm and protective series of spaces that make links to the landscape of the coast. Internally the cottage takes the natural materials of the surrounding coastline, such as flint and timber, and uses these to dress walls and floors. Our proposals included making sense of the downstairs spaces by allowing a flowing movement between the rooms. Views through and across the house are opened up so to help navigate the maze like spaces. Each room is open on many sides whilst limiting the number of corridor spaces, and the use of split levels help to mark one space to the next. The first floor hosts three bedrooms, each of unique style and outlook. The main living space features a corner window, referencing an open book set into the wall at the height of a desk. Log burners, sliding doors, and uncovered historic materials are part of the main reception rooms. The roof is accessible with a steep stair and allows for informal gathering on a grass terrace which gains views far beyond the immediate gardens and neighbouring nature reserve. The external facades have been uplifted with larch cladding, new timber windows, and a series of timber loggias set into the gardens. Our landscaping strategy alleviates flood risk by providing a bung to the garden edge, whilst encouraging native species planting to take over the new timber structure that is directly connected to the house. This approach will help to plant the house in its surroundings, which is vital given the local connection to the Sidlesham Nature Reserve. Throughout the project the client sourced much of the interior finishes and fixtures directly from salvage yards and online second hand boutiques. The house is decorated with reclaimed materials referencing the worn and weary effect of time spent on the beach or at the sea side. Now complete, the house genuinely feels reconciled to its place, a haven for our clients, and an exemplary project for our future clients who wish to link their childhoods with their future homes.

Rénovation maison de bord de mer

Home by Marie

Espace salon convivial et confortable

Photo: Anna Positano

Sitting area with reading nook Nick Denny Photography

Pine Neck Project

North Fork Design Co.

Kyle Caldwell Photography

Traditional Coastal Cottage, Lake Michigan

Cottage Company of Harbor Springs

KINGSWOOD

Black Bear Builders, Inc.

Prout's Neck

Leandra Fremont-Smith Interiors

Horseshoe Beach Project

M&P Design Group

Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs

Vani Sayeed Studios

Interior Design: Vani Sayeed Studios Photo Credits:- Jared Kuzia Photography

Tropical Bohemian Living Room Interior

Livettes wallpaper

Queen Ann Shingle

Lowell Custom Homes

LOWELL CUSTOM HOMES Lake Geneva, WI., - This Queen Ann Shingle is a very special place for family and friends to gather. Designed with distinctive New England character this home generates warm welcoming feelings and a relaxed approach to entertaining.

Kitchen / Living Room Modern/Contemporary Renovation

Innovative Design Build

Beach Home Living Room

Jody Snider Homes, Inc.

Custom white cabinets next to fireplace adds great storage for games, books or tv components

Kate Leichhardt

Beach Style Living Room

White and Wood Beach House

Madison Taylor

Harbor View

Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.

Harbor View is a modern-day interpretation of the shingled vacation houses of its seaside community. The gambrel roof, horizontal, ground-hugging emphasis, and feeling of simplicity, are all part of the character of the place. While fitting in with local traditions, Harbor View is meant for modern living. The kitchen is a central gathering spot, open to the main combined living/dining room and to the waterside porch. One easily moves between indoors and outdoors. The house is designed for an active family, a couple with three grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. It is zoned so that the whole family can be there together but retain privacy. Living, dining, kitchen, library, and porch occupy the center of the main floor. One-story wings on each side house two bedrooms and bathrooms apiece, and two more bedrooms and bathrooms and a study occupy the second floor of the central block. The house is mostly one room deep, allowing cross breezes and light from both sides. The porch, a third of which is screened, is a main dining and living space, with a stone fireplace offering a cozy place to gather on summer evenings. A barn with a loft provides storage for a car or boat off-season and serves as a big space for projects or parties in summer.

Beach Style Living Room Design Photos with a Library

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful beach style living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more beach style living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which beach style living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your beach style living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your beach style living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft beach style furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.