Reader Request: Coastal Chic House

Today I'm excited to help my cousin Michelle, who's about to buy her first home, and is eager to customize it to suit her taste.  Based on her Pinterest boards, I'm calling her style coastal chic (which is fitting since she grew up on the water) and I think that she's going to have an easy time adapting her new(ish) construction home to be less beige and more of a home for her and her boyfriend.

Here we go... and please remember I'm talking about a whole house, and not one room so everything isn't going to match perfectly.  Ok?  Cool.

First, I think a color palette of pale grays, blues and smokey teals will instantly transform the feel of the house.  I'm a big fan of the West Elm and Pottery Barn collections at Sherwin-Williams, since someone has culled the bajillion options for you already.  Then, to add some more personality, Michelle could add some wallpaper on accent walls or powder rooms, and bring in printed fabrics for curtains and throw pillows. 

Paints from Sherwin-Williams  /  Ikat wallpaper  /  Bird wallpaper

Stone print wallpaper  /   Nate Berkus fabrics  /  Ikat fabrics

In areas where there is wood, tile, or just carpet that she'd like to cover up, I think a fairly inexpensive geometric rug from World Market or Homegoods will add personality and be dog-friendly since you can send a rug off to be deep cleaned in a way that you'll never achieve with carpet.  

Some rugged furniture will add a masculine element to the rooms, but not make it feel like a hunting lodge since it can be offset by classic pieces, colorful accents, and pretty nailhead trim.  And since everyone in our family is convinced that we can indeed do it ourselves, I'm sure a painted vintage piece will make its way into the home sooner or later.

Medallion rug  /  Ivory Moroccan rug  /  Coffee table  /  Sofa  /  Nailhead trim chair ($269!)

Accent table  /  Silver vase  /  Sea glass vase  /  Painting by Clare Elsaesser 

Antique map of Galveston, TX

Overall, my main advice for people approaching a house from scratch is to set the mood with paint, and then start buying what's important to you and don't settle too much.  It's hard when nice things cost a lot of money, but what you don't want is a house full of things you want to get rid of in five years.  Luckily, you can inject tons of personality into a space with affordable art from Etsy and secondhand pieces that just need a little attention.

Good luck, Michelle!  You know where to find me if you need more opinions ;-)