Coastal Design from MC Design

By Megan Dufresne

When we think of the coast, we think breezy, light, and fresh. Coastal design aims to bring that same sense of airy brightness indoors. Interior Designer, Megan Dufresne shares some tips on how to incorporate coastal elements into any home, no matter where it's located. After all, you don't have to live near the coast to bring the essence of the coast into your home.

The Natural Choice: Coastal design incorporates natural materials in just about every element of decor. We want to take our ques from nature by bringing in earthy tones and textures. Rugs are usually jute or seagrass, textiles are airy and come from natural resources, and furniture can be wood, rattan, or even wicker. The key is to keep it natural and subdued. You won't be using shiny metallics or loud intricate patterns. Coastal design is the opposite of bold. Even wood choices are often white-washed or in lighter blond finishes.

See the Light: Rooms drenched in natural light are the epitome of coastal living. Using natural light as much as possible is a necessary element in your coastal design. Large windows, skylights, and glass doors are a must to let in as much natural light as possible. Rooms should never feel dim and moody. Indoor-outdoor living started on the coast, where the lines between inside and outside are blurred. Using pocket doors that open a room up and create a seamless transition to the outside is a fantastic choice in a coastal home.

Color is Key: The coastal color scheme follows suit with other coastal decor elements that drive home the need to feel light and airy. White is a staple color in coastal homes and keeps things crisp and clean. It also creates the base for you to build upon. When it comes to accent colors, opting for neutrals with minimal contrast helps keep the space feeling bright and breezy. Khakis, beiges, and various shades of blues and greens can all work together to bring the calming hues of the sea and sand into your home.

Less is More: The coastal aesthetic is all about keeping the space feeling clean and uncluttered. We definitely want to aim for a more minimalist take on room decor, however, adding texture and visual interest with pillows, throws, books, and other decor items helps make our spaces feel homey and welcoming. Just like we do with colors and furnishings, we want to keep our decor items light and avoid heavy, dark, or overly ornate pieces that pull us away from the coastal atmosphere we are aiming for.

Seaside Accents: While it's not a requirement, bringing actual beach items into your space provides the final coastal touch to your design. We don't want to slip too far into a nautical theme, but strategically placed items can enhance the beachy feel we are creating. Seashells are a standard addition as well as other stones or crystals in complimentary colors. Coastal artwork can also add to the overall beach vibe. Remember to keep it minimal, but have a little fun with your seaside accents.

About Megan Dufresne

A Manhattan Beach native, Megan is no stranger to coastal living. She was raised visiting jobsites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in a home custom built and designed by her parents

Today, Megan brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to homes across Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Megan’s goal is always to elevate the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her favorite adjectives when it comes to home design.

Megan works with both homeowners and developers to create personalized homes that are timeless yet current, with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the home’s architecture, Megan translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors. Kids, pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.

She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed.

As a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Megan now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design.

She founded MC Design in 2007.

Megan lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas.

She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.

Megan is available for a free consultation of your home or office. You can contact her by visiting www.mcdesignshop.com