13 Ways to Sleek Nautical Style in the City
Get the carefree coastal vibe without going overboard
Singapore may be an island, but we’re very much an urban one, with coastal and nautical styles looking a tad out of place in our city homes. But in this heat, and with the water surrounding us, how can we not dream of the beach life? Here are some ideas for a subtly sophisticated nautical style that will blend well with urban living:
2. Mix weathered wood with your designer pieces
Achieve a sophisticated balance when you mix and match something that’s coastal and rustic, like a weathered wood table, and something that’s utterly modern, like these Eames chairs with chrome Eiffel base.
Achieve a sophisticated balance when you mix and match something that’s coastal and rustic, like a weathered wood table, and something that’s utterly modern, like these Eames chairs with chrome Eiffel base.
Here’s a bedroom with the lightest of blues plus a weathered wood bench – demonstrating points 1 and 2 simultaneously – and just the merest hint of the beach courtesy of the seahorse cushions and the seaside paintings.
3. Add a nautical rope detail
In this all-white bedroom, the nautical rope lamps bring in that nautical feel that is also very organic.
In this all-white bedroom, the nautical rope lamps bring in that nautical feel that is also very organic.
Here’s a smaller version, that’s also much easier to decorate with.
4. Try wallpaper with a subtle print, like these working drawings of sailboats…
The light lines (and colours) of the drawings make the wallpaper look beautifully faded.
The light lines (and colours) of the drawings make the wallpaper look beautifully faded.
5. …or a navigation map of the world
6. Also, find a functional application for a porthole – as in these bathroom mirrors
It’s a seamless way of bringing in this nautical design detail into a room.
6. Also, find a functional application for a porthole – as in these bathroom mirrors
It’s a seamless way of bringing in this nautical design detail into a room.
7. No wallpaper? A triptych of the world map will do
It also makes you look like a sophisticated world traveller!
It also makes you look like a sophisticated world traveller!
8. Use nautical lamps
These wire-framed lamps have been all the rage with industrial-style interiors. Here’s another authentic way to use them.
9. An oversized nautical flag painted as a feature wall is also a surprisingly subtle way to sneak in the theme
It’s also a great way to bring in the nautical palette so that you don’t go overboard with the accessories.
These wire-framed lamps have been all the rage with industrial-style interiors. Here’s another authentic way to use them.
9. An oversized nautical flag painted as a feature wall is also a surprisingly subtle way to sneak in the theme
It’s also a great way to bring in the nautical palette so that you don’t go overboard with the accessories.
10. White-wood louvred windows allow you to fake sunlight streaming in from beach cottage windows
Simply add another layer over your all-glass windows so your home remains air-tight.
Simply add another layer over your all-glass windows so your home remains air-tight.
11. Enjoy faded wood floor decking (and even shiplap or clapboard walls)
Not only does this bring the outdoors in, but wood planks just add such a nice texture.
Not only does this bring the outdoors in, but wood planks just add such a nice texture.
12. Go easy on the shell ornaments
In fact, mix them up with something more urban, like a geometric vase. One shell will do!
In fact, mix them up with something more urban, like a geometric vase. One shell will do!
13. Less cliche than shell, try a coral
And again, mix it up with something contrasting, such as coffee table books and a beautiful reed diffuser, when you create your vignette.
TELL US
Do you like the nautical look? How have you done it in your home?
MORE
How to bring a breezy resort vibe indoors
And again, mix it up with something contrasting, such as coffee table books and a beautiful reed diffuser, when you create your vignette.
TELL US
Do you like the nautical look? How have you done it in your home?
MORE
How to bring a breezy resort vibe indoors
With black and grey as the anchor colours, a small amount of blue goes a long way. A variety of stripe widths also makes the nautical theme more interesting and multi-dimensional.