Ahhhhhh…..
That’s the feeling you get when you walk into even the humblest of seaside holiday homes. It may not be the latest thing. It may need a few repairs. But there’s something about it that just makes you feel happy.
Is it nostalgia for childhood Summer holidays? Or that beach houses can’t help but symbolize an escape from the controls and conformity of city life? Or is it simply that they define the feeling of larger spaces, greater freedom and more time to appreciate the sensual aspects of life?
Sure, the feeling may be mostly psychological. But in fact, there are a few common design aspects of beach houses that we should consider incorporating into our city homes to increase our sense of contentment, all year round.
• Go to ground
Beach holidays are often about living ‘closer to the earth’. Shoes become optional. Regular city clothes and full makeup just don’t seem necessary or appealing. Beach living is about paring back to essentials and its architecture often reflects that too. Raw textures, natural light, louvered windows that encourage flow through of breezes, raw timber floorboards, open fireplaces, earthy colours – all of these common beach house features can just as successfully be applied to city homes.
• Let there be light
Never underestimate the power of natural light. Many beach homes have large windows and sliding glass doors to capitalize on the beauty of the surrounding environment. But you don’t need a spectacular view to include them and the benefits of greater natural light (and more fresh air!) are many.
• Say No to neo
Holiday homes are very rarely neo-Georgian, Palladian, Victorian or neo-anything. They are what they are and they’re not trying to be otherwise. There’s an integrity about beach homes that releases us from the desire for pastiche styles and the pseudo grandiose and that’s a welcome soother for the soul.
• Relaaaax
Want to hang your beach towel over the balcony? Fine. Someone’s walked some sand into the house? No big deal. Holiday homes aren’t ever expected to be spotless or ready for their ‘Vogue Living’ close-up – because, well, you’re on holiday! A beautiful home, holiday or otherwise, should be about signs of life and time well spent.