Recreate an East Coast Home: The Complete Guide

The interiors of East Coast seaside homes are known not only for their harmony, but also for telling a story, the family’s story. Over generations, travel souvenirs and objects or art related to sailing are woven into the decor. This creates a blend of unexpected cultural influences. You might be surprised to find a beautiful Chinese vase nestled among seashells and nautical accents. These porcelain pieces, historically hand-painted, are adorned with floral or landscape motifs. They bring a touch of elegance and history to the coastal atmosphere.

You can stay on theme by adding maritime-inspired objects, like a vintage barometer or a model of an iconic local sailboat. Have fun with it ! If you live near the coast, I suggest checking out the local boutiques nearby, you can find some real hidden gems. Drop by a local art gallery, too; you often find stunning seascape paintings by village artists at reasonable prices.

While hydrangeas are the ultimate symbol of East Coast style, they can’t carry a garden on their own. The real secret to a space that feels truly high-end is pairing them with a rich biodiversity. If you’re looking to curate a full garden around this aesthetic, I’ve put together a guide to the best “Old Money” flowers” for a classic home.”

A Note on Safety: While Hydrangeas are the ultimate symbol of timeless elegance, please remember they are toxic if ingested. To maintain a safe environment, keep them away from pets, children and food preparation areas.

East Coast home decor follows specific rules, especially when it comes to colors. The goal is to blend the interior with the beach and the ocean rather than contrast with them. As a result, you will find a monochrome palette of blues reflecting the shades of the sea and the sky. To this palette, I have also added a warm neutral beige that evokes sand, but also linen, a fabric widely used in East Coast homes for textiles such as curtains, sofas or bed linen.

To bring contrast to this very muted interior, I also suggest adding touches of brown, which remind me of the dark wood decks on certain boats. Instead of painting an entire wall, it is better to opt for dark wood objects.

Finally, if you still want to add a splash of color, you can go for lighthouse-red decor. Choose small items, like a red cushion to place on a linen sofa, or red kitchen utensils, such as the red salt and pepper grinders you will find below.

The bathrooms found in East Coast homes are both elegant and authentic. The ceramic fixtures and features lean toward a vintage aesthetic with clean lines, featuring, for instance, oval clawfoot tubs. For the vanity area, a retro, raw-wood unit with an integrated basin is the perfect choice.

High-quality materials are used throughout the room, with warm wood tones often dressing the walls and furniture. For the wall colors, I suggest referring to the color palette found just above, particularly the first two shades. These soft, neutral colors will transform this space into a haven of peace

To create an outdoor space worthy of a Hamptons villa, a well-manicured garden is a must, but you also need to choose the right kind of furniture. For patio sets and outdoor dining tables, faux rattan is a huge trend on the East Coast. Why faux? Because even though real rattan is known for its durability, it’s quite sensitive to moisture, meaning East Coast weather isn’t ideal for this material. Synthetic rattan is therefore an excellent alternative for outdoor use.

You can dress them up with custom cushions in cotton or linen. When it comes to colors, I absolutely love navy blue and white stripes, they beautifully recall the East Coast’s nautical vibe.

One little trend I’ve noticed in outdoor design is the outdoor shower, perfect for rinsing off after a surf session. It comes in many styles, but my favorite is one built against an exterior wall of the house, with a white wooden privacy screen and retro fixtures. You could add small details like a corner shelf for your beauty products and a hook for your towel.

Finally, the ultimate symbol of an East Coast outdoor space is, of course, the famous white Adirondack chairs.

For the menu, I suggest starting with a refreshing, non-alcoholic version of the Cape Codder, made with cranberry juice, a lime wedge, sparkling water, and lemon juice. You can pair it with mini lobster rolls. For the main course, I recommend a traditional Clambake featuring seafood, corn, and new potatoes.

As for the table decor, lay down a beautiful cotton tablecloth with red or navy checks for that rustic, country feel. Choose a French countryside dinnerware set. And bring out your silverware and crystal glasses, the ones you usually keep only for special occasions.