Beach style is an individual theme

Whether it’s a true vacation home, or simply a room in your home you want to decorate as your “getaway space,” consider simplicity with a strong design element that ties the room together.

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It is the summer, and the ebb and flow of the ocean causes a mirage of glitter. Every wave of the ocean refracts a different sparkle of light caught from the rays of sun.

In a similar fashion, each summerhouse or condo on the beach represents holiday life in a personal manner. We all have some idea of what a beach project should look like.

While interior design projects can be similar in styles, they can never be exact duplicates. Each project is different in the uniqueness of place. This affects the way light enters a dwelling and bounces around the home, the finishes and the materials which makes each project their own.

Some traditional projects offer tried and true methods of decorating by the ocean. Bright white linen drapes and floral cotton slipcovers and casual furniture made of light woods and bamboo mixed with antiques or hand-me-down vintage pieces can immediately evoke the beach cottages of years gone by. Without a doubt, this is a safe approach for beachside or vacation homes which always pleases.

But what about projects in which the clients want a sophisticated contemporary leaning design? The quest is to search for a style that is fresh but can still evoke and create new memories of the beach. Inspiration can come from elements that are found on the beach or ocean and can be abstracted and brought inside is the way to go!

The sources of your inspirations are endless — they can come from nature as well as man-made objects.

In certain homes, the interior architecture is a dominant feature. Architectural elements such as headboards, wood clad ceilings and wooden floors help create the picture perfect beach house such as the Southampton cottage in the movie “Something’s Got to Give” with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Interiors like these wrap themselves around you like a warm blanket.

When there are not many architectural features in a condo where the architectural features are minimized to sliding floor to ceiling doors and balcony railing architecture has to enter the space in the furniture selected. Structure can be found in strong lines of a pair of chairs or the rectilinear architecture of a sofa. Focal points have to be created with a strong piece of artwork, a pair of mirrors or iconic sculpture. Striped oversize rugs can ground a living room and conversation area, just as a beach towel creates a livable surface above the hot sand.

Orchestrate your colors to tell a story. There is no coincidence in the off white and beige walls and finishes in many beach projects that recall the sand. Blues in all shades and hues evocative of water are a sure way to get a splash of color to neutral backgrounds. Punches of another color such as orange, red or pink help create a playful combination.

Less is more in a beach home. Keep it simple for housekeeping sake. Accessorize with a few items to keep your eyes entertained but not overwhelmed. Then kick back and relax.

• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.