Today I am sharing 8 ways I bring Coastal New England style home—from antique art and time-worn furniture to blue and white hues, natural textures, and treasured finds from the sea.
Coastal New England Style
I have to say, it surprises me that I’ve never done a full post on this topic—especially since New England Coastal Style has so thoroughly shaped how I’ve decorated my home here on the Maine coast.
Rooted in the natural beauty and historic charm of New England’s seaside villages, this style is all about simplicity, comfort, and a strong sense of place. Think ocean blues, driftwood grays, and cloud whites. Time-worn wood, painted furniture, and antiques with the kind of patina that makes them feel lovingly passed down. Rope accents, model sailboats, beach rocks and shells casually displayed. Quirky collections that tell a story. All of it relaxed and lived-in—never forced or overly themed.
When I built this house, I wanted it to feel like it had been here for generations. Over time, I’ve chosen pieces that give it a sense of history and help root it to this rugged stretch of Maine shoreline. I want the inside to reflect the view out my windows: sea, sky, and stone.
Just as importantly, I want family and friends to feel completely at ease here. Nothing is too precious. It’s relaxed and welcoming—like a good summer afternoon. It feels like coming home, even when you’re just visiting.
Today, I’m sharing some of the key characteristics of New England Coastal Style—along with specific ways I’ve brought them to life throughout my home. I hope it offers a little inspiration to bring the relaxed charm of the Maine coast into your own spaces, no matter where you live.
1. A Coastal Maine Color Palette
For the main living areas of my home, I chose colors that reflect the view just beyond my windows—ocean blues, driftwood browns, rocky grays, and crisp cloud whites. These hues echo the ever-changing palette of sky, sea, and shore that I see every day, creating a natural sense of harmony between the indoors and out.
“What’s the wall color throughout your main living spaces?” It’s the question I get asked most on Instagram—and with good reason! The answer: Benjamin Moore Brittany Blue, a soft gray-blue that feels both calm and classically coastal.
You can read more about how I chose the paint colors for my home in this post: Go With the Flow: How To Choose Cohesive Paint Colors
Left: Navy ticking stripe, soft blue walls, and a shell-filled dough bowl evoke the sea and sky.
Right: A gingham check sink skirt, painted floor, blue backsplash tile, and natural wood cabinets anchor the coastal palette in the kitchen.
Left: Soft neutrals and layered textures blend seamlessly with the driftwood tones and ocean blues beyond the glass.
Right: A bowl of starfish on a quilted runner in ocean blues and rocky neutrals—coastal color in tactile form.
2. Maritime Art With a Story to Tell
Maritime art is a hallmark of New England Coastal Style. Weathered ships, salty captains, or quiet seascapes, I love them all! I tend to gravitate toward pieces that look like they’ve been around a while (and many of them have!), with carved wood, worn paint, or a coil of rope. Whether antique or folk art, each piece brings with it a story of life at sea.
Left: A vintage red model ship and folk art mermaid painting bring a playful touch to the snug.
Right: Vintage ship prints form a gallery wall in the Captain’s guest room.
Left: An antique ship diorama with rope detail adds nautical texture above the fireplace.
Right: The guest cottage features maritime touches such as a model ship, boat art work, and an old kayak paddle.
3. Shells and Other Treasured Finds from the Sea
Nothing says “coastal style” more than natural treasures from the ocean, such as shells, coral, and beach rocks. Whether gathered from the shore or discovered at an estate sale, they bring a bit of seaside magic indoors. Tucked into bowls, perched on mantels, or framed on the wall, they’re simple, natural, and full of coastal charm.
Left: Exotic shells spill from a wooden dough bowl beneath a gallery wall of antique shell prints.
Center: Mussel shells and heart-shaped rocks gathered at the beach rest in blue and white dishes on the living room coffee table.
Right: A cherished collection of Sailors Valentines — intricate designs made from tiny shells — hang above a cottage style bed.
Want to see more? (Including pictures of my large collection of antique Victorian shell trinkets!) I shared additional photos and ideas in my post, Coastal Style | Decorating with Seashells All Year Round.
4. Feathered Friends & Fishy Finds
The waters and skies out my window are teeming with wildlife, and some of them seem to have made their way into my home. From a wall of vintage fish moulds in the kitchen to flocks of wooden seagulls perched in the living room, birds and fish swim (or fly!) through my decor in all sorts of whimsical ways. I always encourage people to have fun when decorating and not take things too seriously—your home should make you smile! These quirky collections certainly do that for me.
Left: A mix of fish plates swims up the wall in the dining area
Right: Turn the everyday into a display as I did with simple fish moulds!
Left: A grouping of vintage carved sea birds has landed on a faux grain painted blanket chest in living room. A modern wicker lamp provides contrast and a bit of texture.
Right: Two of my numerous vintage and antique seagull prints in the living room.
5. Pattern play: Stripes, Florals, and Coastal Prints
Nothing livens up a space like a mix of patterns—and in my coastal Maine cottage, I let them mingle freely! Crisp ticking stripes, delicate florals, hand-blocked prints, and playful nautical motifs all find a home here. You’ll spot seabirds in flight, sailboats on cushions, and more blue-and-white than you can shake a (driftwood!) stick at. Mixing patterns adds visual interest and charm—and it’s another way to keep decorating fun and personal.
Left: Everyone’s favorite blue and white striped slipcovered loveseat with mix and match throw pillows.
Right: I couldn’t resist this fun fabric — with all the boats I see out my windows — for a pair of blue rattan side chairs!
Left: A stripe, a floral, a block print, and a seagull motif mingle happily on a white sofa.
Right: Blue, white, and brown: Maddie and a trio of floral prints.
6. Time-worn Furniture With Coastal Character
New England Coastal Style is rooted in tradition—and nothing adds heart and soul to a home like furniture with a past. I love hunting for special pieces at antique shops and auctions: scrubbed pine, worn wood, and plenty of whimsically painted Victorian cottage furniture. These are the kinds of furnishings that feel like they’ve been passed down through generations. Their scuffed edges and mellow patina tell quiet stories and bring a sense of history to my home. Bonus—they’re often better made and more affordable than new furniture. And best of all, they’re never too precious, which is just the way I like it.
I actually wrote a whole blog post about Victorian painted cottage furniture—The Charm and Whimsy of Victorian Painted Cottage Furniture—which you can read here.
And you can read the story of my painted European marriage cabinet in my blog post My Antique European Painted Cabinet |Meant to be Mine.
Left: Blue and white striped cornishware displayed in a vintage pine hutch.
Center: My favorite whimsically-painted Victorian cottage chest of drawers.
Right: An English sideboard and Bavarian painted cabinet. Perhaps European pieces brought home by a seafaring Captain?? 😉
7. Natural Textures: Rope, Seagrass, and Wicker
Rope, seagrass, and wicker bring essential texture to a room—not just tactile, but visual. These natural materials ground a space, adding depth and contrast against smoother, more refined elements like blue and white pottery or painted wood. I love how their rough edges play off polished surfaces, creating balance and imbuing warmth. While they nod to the functional ropes and baskets once used aboard ships, they feel anything but utilitarian in a home. Instead, they lend coastal character and an unfussy, natural charm.
Left: Give me all the textures! A seagrass rug grounds an ottoman covered in a softly worn quilt and topped with a wicker tray holding a collection of chippy painted finials.
Right: A pine corner hutch is filled with my collection of blue and white spongeware pottery. On top, a jumble of knotted rope, weathered buoy, and woven boat bumper add textural contrast.
Left: All the coastal elements come together on the mantel: blue and white pottery, sea fan coral, a wreath made from local clam and mussel shells, and a monkey fist knot.
Right: Texture overload! A fishing basket seat, french wicker basket filled with old books, and a quirky wicker top hat.
8. Lived-In Layers and Coastal Ease
New England Coastal Style never feels fussy or overdone. It’s not about hanging an anchor on the wall or tossing a bowl of shells on the coffee table and calling it a day. It’s more a state of mind—a quiet celebration of ease, comfort, and a deep connection to place.
I gravitate toward slouchy slipcovers, soft throws within reach, and pillows that invite afternoon naps. There’s always a spot to rest your feet or set down a drink, and nothing is ever too precious for kids, dogs, or a bit of everyday life. I layer textiles, textures, and personal treasures to create rooms that feel warm and welcoming, never staged.
In the end, it’s this relaxed, lived-in feeling—paired with a thoughtful mix of elements—that gives New England Coastal Style its enduring charm and quiet elegance.
This Week Into Next
I had a wonderful visit with my friends over the July 4th holiday!
For a few glorious days, it felt like we had truly settled into summer—warm temps, windows and doors flung open, and shorts and sandals each morning. It was lovely while it lasted!
But then this week turned cool (low 60s!) and gray. Out came the sweatshirts and jeans again. Boo!
It’s been a fairly quiet week —just a couple of meetings, some laundry and chores, and of course, my “work” as a content creator. I finally shared my new POLYWOOD outdoor furniture over on Instagram. Working with brands can be a lot of work behind the scenes, but I’m really pleased with how everything came together. And I genuinely love the furniture. If you’re looking to add a bit of POLYWOOD to your outdoor space, you can shop my personal link.
In the evenings I’ve been bingeing the latest season of The Bear. It is SO GOOD! I think I’ll finish it tonight, and I’m already sad about that. (You’ll need a Hulu subscription if you want to dive in.)
On Sunday, after my friends headed home, I spent the afternoon on the porch—curled up on my new POLYWOOD chaise—reading It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. I really enjoyed it. It’s a perfect summer romcom read, but with a little depth, too.
Of course, my heart has been with those around the country facing extreme weather and devastating flooding. The stories out of Camp Mystic in Texas are especially heartbreaking. I can’t begin to imagine the pain those families are feeling.
That’s it for this week, friends. I hope you’re staying cool and dry—or warm, if you’re here on the Maine coast…
Take good care and hug your loved ones extra tight.
