DESIGN HANDBOOK
There are several coastal beach towns that we love here at the Kuotes (if you didn’t catch it, check out our recent Nantucket post!) But no destination says seaside chic quite like Palm Beach. The town is famous for its gorgeous sunny weather, impressive real estate, and, perhaps most iconic, its bold and preppy signature style. Fashion Director of Escada once said, “Palm Beach is the perfect runway for bold prints and succulent colors,” and we believe that these words ring just as true in interiors.
Below we’ve gathered some of our favorite Palm Beach interiors to provide with a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this distinctly Floridian aesthetic and bring home some sunshine no matter where you may be.
Even though Palm Beach style interiors are known for their electric pops of color and pattern, these bold distinctions would not be nearly as powerful without the stark white canvas they play on. Invest in lots of white paint for the walls, and choose white for your most dominant pieces of furniture, like a white slipcover sofa or sectional or a whitewashed dining table. White keeps your space light and airy, and bounces sunlight across the room for a bright and brilliant interior.
Nothing defines this distinct style more than its bold and playful palette. Bright and colorful hues offer a truly tropical twist and draw inspiration from the cheerful locale. Think turquoise, lime green, sunshine yellow, coral, and flamingo pink. Fearless mixing of colors is also a hallmark of this style. Blue and white, orange and blue, and green and pink are some of our favorite combos!
Similarly to Northeastern nautical, the coastal style borrows from every aspect of the sea life that surrounds it. You’ll see furniture, lighting, and décor with shell or coral elements, like a capiz shell lamp or a coral sculpture mounted on crystal. Extravagant exotics, like palm frond wallpaper or a peacock chair (which we see making a comeback in interiors) also appear frequently.
One of the first pieces that comes to mind for us when we think Palm Beach is our Fontaine bamboo dining chairs. Coastal furniture uses natural outdoor materials to bring an escapist mood into the chic city lifestyle. The bamboo, rattan, wicker is reminiscent of the palm trees native to the area, and look extra stylish when lacquered in a white or blue.
While it may seem counterintuitive, every preppy Palm Beach beach house with any sense of style is going to have a chinoiserie element. The patterns on top of the bright colors leads to a rich and textured layered look that captures the eye and inspires the soul. Don’t limit yourself to the walls or ginger jars. We love to find chinoiserie in places like the upholstery or as a lamp.
Just when you thought the vivid colors and chinoiserie were enough, Palm Beach style tells you to keep going. Stripes are a tried and true favorite, but almost nothing is off limits: floral, chintz, metallic, animal print, a large portrait of young Elvis…it’s all fair game.
What sets Palm Beach style apart from other preppy and colorful looks? It’s the glitz and the glam. Accessorize with your favorite Hollywood Regency pieces with gold being the clear metal of choice. Mirrored furniture and lacquer finishes are also key components.
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
