Southern Coast and It’s Essence
My dad was raised in Sarasota, FL and my mom was raised in South GA. So my entire life I have been raised to love both the traditional southern style as well as the charming coastal style. As I began to become interested in interiors and the many different styles it encompasses, I could never choose between the two. Being raised in Georgia made me who I am, so how could I abandon the sweet and cozy style it is known for? Then, vacationing in Sarasota, FL every summer awakened my natural summer spirit, an important part of who I am. So I decided to not pick one over the other and integrate both into my style instead.
That is why my personal interior design style and this blog is centered around the essence of southern charm with perfectly paired pieces that remind me of being by the water every summer. This style is a reflection of my authentic self and that is what every interior space should do in your home. I am a thalassophile (lover of the sea), who appreciates the special connection the sea brings along with the coziness of colonial-style homes. The idea is that someone can walk into your home and begin to know you just by your space while feeling right at home. Along with this, living in a space that reflects who you are, proves to improve your mental health by reducing stress levels. I find that surrounding ourselves with walls, furniture and decorative pieces that excites us will motivate us to want to be excited in all other areas of life. Which is why finding your own style before starting to redesign your space is so essential to the design process. If you ever need help figuring out your true design style, feel free to fill out a contact form on this blog and I will be more than happy to figure it out with you!
Now, back to the essence of my absolute favorite style, there is- traditional southern charm combined with a Cape Cod coastal touch. What I love about these two styles together is that while they seem very different in their color palettes, architecture, or even their overall aesthetic, they can perfectly work with each other instead of against them. If it were my home, I would take the exterior architecture of your traditional Cape Cod home with oak and pine wood, and shutters lined with beautiful hydrangeas along the outside. On the inside, I would take the classic columns from a traditional southern home to act as beams to bring in that subtle hint of south GA. High ceilings are a must, with statement but simple lighting/appliances. The interior decoration would include colors that are bright and fresh such as whites and neutrals, blues, pastel yellows and corals and of course, a few scalloped edges here and there! It is important for me to keep a neutral and bright look for the walls and bring in pops of color within the decor.
So, I think it is clear how excited I am to one day be able to design my future home! While I am still a while away from that season of life, I will incorporate the essence of my southern coastal style into my projects in or out of school (if that is what makes sense for the project, of course!). Each project that I take on, I want to cater to the person’s authentic style while giving it my own personal touch, so that they can experience the joy that a personalized design brings!
Above are images from High Point Market that embody the charm of the southern coastal style!
