As design trends follow the spikes and lows of a real estate graph, one style that remains consistent is the coastal cottage. Putting together a space that stirs up seaside emotions restores, makes you want to say namaste, or lie face down with warm rocks on your back. The one room where tranquility is foremost is the bedroom. As someone who can’t make it through a night without abusing my pillow, I welcome any natural based assistance. In my Laguna Beach bedroom I brought in the core elements of the beach cottage look.

Laguna Beach bedroom follows a basic scheme of a few colors and coastal accents.

Beach design is quite simple, just add these 5 basic ideas:

1. Natural woven pieces: Anything rattan, wicker or seagrass supports the coastal look. Accent with an accessory, sisal rug or bed frame. Since “beach” and “cottage” typically equates to space challenged, rattan baskets offer both storage and style while a bamboo side table can be a catchall for your bedtime needs within the desired design.
2. Stripes: Blue and white stripes are the unspoken uniform of seaside style. The pattern is simple and easy to pair with other like-minded prints. A basic duvet is layered with throw pillows and blanket for a styled, relaxed feel.
3. Batik prints: Classic British Colonial batiks that conjure up faraway places are a solid investment piece. The simple indigo color and hand-printed design of the accent pillows seamlessly weave into the room’s scheme.
4. Color: White always says cottage and creates a soothing atmosphere. Touches of blue and beach colors are the natural choices to make a room coastal.
5. Light: Since cottage bedrooms are often smaller, keep the room paired down to the essential needs and accessories to create the illusion of more space. White walls make the room feel open and doesn’t compete with blending items. A wood framed mirror that has the effect of a window on a boat is both decorative and reflects additional light.

Storage is always needed in a cottage bedroom. A wicker hamper and pine armoire conceal belongings in a pulled together presentation.

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The color of the year has been elected and home enthusiasts are colorfully dressing up rooms for its inauguration. Pantone’s Greenery has the kind of pastoral shade you’d see flying over Ireland. While green may seem more extreme than recent darlings like gray, neutrals or soft pastels, it’s always been a natural choice. Consider how grass and leafy trees blanket the outdoors, it has no choice but to blend with everything.

Find your aptitude for green in simple stages and begin by styling with accessories.

For those who are hesitant on the shade, test in subtle ways with accessories or accent pieces. I’ve always been a follower of green in fashion as the color pops and adds personality to a look. In my bedroom I added a throw and cosmetics case to the bed for a trial run that creates a snappy, effortless look.

From Simple to Daring, we show three ideas on how to design with this happy shade.

1. Simple:

An all white bathroom is punched up with green accessories. Photo by Donna Dotan Photography

Designer Claire Paquin of Clean Design Partners offers a subtle take on this white bathroom. The addition of towels, modernist painting, and even the selection of toiletries direct the room’s theme without a major adjustment.

2. Moderate

A green range by Big Chill is the wow factor in contemporary kitchen. Image courtesy of Big Chill.

Make a bolder statement with such investment pieces as furnishings or an appliance. A predominantly white room keeps the statement on the colored piece. Says Orion Creamer, Founder of Big Chill, “Pantone’s Greenery symbolizes all thing fresh and natural. Introducing a Big Chill Range in Basil Green into a kitchen automatically brightens a space, while lending a hint of the unexpected.”

3. Daring

The exterior of my Laguna Beach came painted in Grinch green, which I kept for laughs until the right shade presented itself. It may be in the right shade after all.

Ready to immerse yourself in green? Try painting your house in the bold shade. My Laguna Beach home came in green and I never had the heart to paint it even after neighbors pestered me on its color status. It fits into the landscape. I don’t need a house number as mail arrives just by saying “green house.” It stands out–in a good way.

The mustard colored wood burning fireplace pairs well with retro green, colors that swung back into fashion. Photo by Bret Gum

The color continues indoors with tiling to complement the mustard yellow wood burning fireplace. What I first considered as a bit too Palm Springs mod, became quite prescient, hitting on this year’s color to confirm that sometimes it’s best to wait on any home alterations.

Shop It: Wayfair teamed with Pantone in the color selection, finding that bolder colors remain current in the design lexicon. “They may not be bright and airy but a vivid sofa in plush upholstery will have everyone fighting for a seat,” says Jessica Dowling, head of Wayfair Trade Services.

1. Loveseat 2. Side chair 3. Ottoman 4. 3-piece vase set

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The countdown to December 25th is clear. The neighborhood looks like a traveling Christmas exhibition from Vegas. Store windows are frosted with snow shot from an aerosol can and loud holiday signage. Years ago I found that decorating for the season was less stressful when I deviated from the conventional. Nothing against Santa but you will not find his appearance from a red felt hat or ornament in my home though stories about Saint Nick are encouraged. Blinking colored lights should be saved for a hotel vacancy sign. I choose items that I’d decorate for the winter season that happen to be intended for a major holiday.

A crochet advent calendar from Garnet Hill with numeral pockets start the festive momentum each morning.

Stay true to the design and colors of your home then flourish with supporting details.

Creating a gingerbread home has a dual purpose as a fun activity that adds to the decor. Simple eco-friendly lessons are learned from decorating with household items, like twine and burlap, over shiny paper.

Even our tinsel tree fits the bright theme of the family room and decorated with with coordinated metallic ornaments.

For those who cook by spattering their apron and liberating the spice rack for an improvisational recipe, a cottage kitchen is the ideal venue. You could say that such a kitchen improves your cooking over a fussy space that would be in design disarray if you left a box of Raisin Bran on the counter. In the kitchen of my former Laguna Beach home, cottage charm blends with updated accents that secured it as the most popular place in the house.

Cottage details abound in the kitchen.

Creating the design followed a low maintenance approach where small details added impact. Just steps from the front entry that leads to the beach, sandy dwellers is a frequent occurrence here.

Cottage Kitchen Design Process:

We kept the hardwood pine floors that flow throughout the home and installed a quick drying cement countertop.

Cabinets were given oomph with a sage green paint selected after testing a few samples and a few glasses of wine.

Open glass shelving showcases worthy pieces that support the kitchen’s look.

The farm style table was customized for the space. Since this is a smaller kitchen it accommodates a variety of functions.

Overhead pan rack adds to the kitchen’s needs in a small space.

Bring in personal collections for a signature touch, such as an arrangement of antique seltzer bottles that fit the scheme. Just be sure to use earthquake glue if you live in California.

Live with your collections.