Incorporating that coveted yet elusive “beach look” into your home’s interior décor is much simpler than one may guess. Professional interior designer Bernadette Kocis of Shore Home Outlet in Somers Point shares some helpful tips of the trade.
Simply add a “beachy” accent to your living room by exchanging a neutral colored sofa’s pillows for those with a colorful seahorse or shell print. Changing up a coat of paint for a cool aqua or light blue hue is another inexpensive option. The vibrant yellow and blue color combination has been hugely popular in Jersey Shore décor recently and can be “very soothing,” states Kocis.
For those who prefer to embark upon a more involved beach home makeover, start with fabric. A patterned fabric can truly say a thousand words, making a room’s central theme both more apparent and cohesive. A seaside home is likely to see a lot of sand and a lot of action. Therefore, an acrylic based fabric is highly recommended. Fortunately, the fabric industry has just seen quite a revolution in acrylics. Though most were originally offered in brown, tan, and gray tones, there is now a multitude of colors, patterns, textures, and woven prints available in this durable material. Acrylic fabrics are bleach cleanable and perfect for rental properties.
The revolutionary “Bella Dura” line of fabrics should also definitely be considered. 100% recyclable, Bella Dura fabrics deliver the best of both worlds remaining very “green” but performing exceptionally well. These revolutionary new fabrics are very washable and have stain resistant, fungal resistant, and anti-microbal properties.
However, a visit to a basic fabric store fulfills merely one home redesign need. Shore Home Outlet is a complete home design center and owner Bernadette Kocis is available for hire for entire interior decorating projects. A graduate of Drexel University’s interior design program, Kocis specializes in crafting custom drapes, cushions, and bedding with the 15+ lines of fabric she carries in the store and has over twenty years of experience in the industry.
Shore Home Outlet is also home to a number of custom, beach-themed lighting pieces that can truly pull together a room’s coastal look. A one-of-a-kind conch shell chandelier, smaller chandelier pieces constructed with driftwood, and lamp bases made with sailor’s rope are simply a few examples of standout lighting fixtures to complete a shore home.
Most homeowners consider adding beach patterned fabrics and bright accents the simpler tasks of a redesign. Furniture typically poses more of an issue. How to possibly coordinate the bold colors characteristic of the beach theme with a limited color palette of furniture? Once again, working with a designer is highly recommended. As a designer, Kocis has access to over 500 furniture manufacturers through a partnership with a distributor in North Carolina. On display at Shore Home Outlet you will find a collection of American-made 100% wood pieces that can be customized in over 50 colors, both bold and natural. Homeowners can actually select furniture to complement the bright colors of a selected beach theme fabric.
For more helpful tips on bringing the beach to your home’s décor, visit Shore Home Outlet at 112 Woodland Ave, Unit 2 in Somers Point or give them a call at (609) 439-6160.
By Megan Kummer
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