Decorating
Book Review: 'Sandcastles' by Tim Neve
In his new book, interiors stylist Tim Neve showcases five modern interpretations of coastal style and explains how you can get the look
Tim Neve, interiors stylist and founding editor of Australian Coastal Home magazine, knows that for many, coastal decorating style can be seen as a bit naff. “I don’t blame you if you shudder,” Neve says candidly in his new book, Sandcastles: Interiors Inspired by the Coast. “For too long faux starfish and mass-produced gone fishin’ signs have reigned supreme and muddied the waters of what should be the clearest, most authentic inspiration in home styling.”
1. Beachcomber
Collecting inspiration from a walk along the shoreline, Neve uses pale greys, whites and sandy scenes to celebrate natural tones and worn textures. Serene interiors feature weathered materials and salvaged treasures. You can almost hear the calmly lapping waves just outside.
Neve advises keeping your approach simple and pared back. Try displaying old baskets, shells, ropes and feathers. Incorporate natural fibre rugs, recycled timbers, brushed aluminium furniture, and anything white (or that can be painted white).
Collecting inspiration from a walk along the shoreline, Neve uses pale greys, whites and sandy scenes to celebrate natural tones and worn textures. Serene interiors feature weathered materials and salvaged treasures. You can almost hear the calmly lapping waves just outside.
Neve advises keeping your approach simple and pared back. Try displaying old baskets, shells, ropes and feathers. Incorporate natural fibre rugs, recycled timbers, brushed aluminium furniture, and anything white (or that can be painted white).
This hallway display makes use of a thoroughfare to group together some found and vintage items, painting a portrait of life by the sea. Neve urges us to create such visual stories within our home.
BONUS TIP: Delight in the ghostly patinas of old wood by upcycling pallets or cable reels into bed bases or coffee tables.
BONUS TIP: Delight in the ghostly patinas of old wood by upcycling pallets or cable reels into bed bases or coffee tables.
2. Seafarer
Stormy seas and turbulent skies colour the seafarer’s palette, offering a moody tone with soft features for balance. Whether you want to build a vignette or decorate an entire room, essential elements include vintage globes, maps and suitcases, anchors, pewter, flags, nets and reels.
This bedroom echoes a sailor’s sleeping quarters with its iron bed, industrial enamel light shade and vintage vibe. The bedside globe and old books add a layer of history. Neve says, “If you can’t have ocean views, find a panoramic image of the sea and hang it low over your bedhead, like a porthole to an imaginary horizon.”
Stormy seas and turbulent skies colour the seafarer’s palette, offering a moody tone with soft features for balance. Whether you want to build a vignette or decorate an entire room, essential elements include vintage globes, maps and suitcases, anchors, pewter, flags, nets and reels.
This bedroom echoes a sailor’s sleeping quarters with its iron bed, industrial enamel light shade and vintage vibe. The bedside globe and old books add a layer of history. Neve says, “If you can’t have ocean views, find a panoramic image of the sea and hang it low over your bedhead, like a porthole to an imaginary horizon.”
Old and weathered timbers with aged patinas unite the character of this bathroom setting. Fresh towels in an old cigar box sit on top of the repurposed cabinet, while the modern basin melds new with old.
This bright and simple kitchen has been accessorised with wicker flagons for a ship’s galley feel. Its nautical and industrial air is enhanced by a red and white splashback and swivel stools under the bench.
TOP TIP: Get swept away in seafarer style by hanging maps and wall charts. Try tearing up an old atlas and decoupaging the pages as unique wallpaper.
TOP TIP: Get swept away in seafarer style by hanging maps and wall charts. Try tearing up an old atlas and decoupaging the pages as unique wallpaper.
3. Islander
A leafy, woody scheme is inspired by the earthy abundance of a tropical island. Embrace the resort-style feel in your home by mixing light woods with lush greens in your furnishings. Use palm frond motifs and delicate shell drawings in your decor. Make the most of spaces that invite you to recline in the sunshine with large throw cushions at your back.
Your work life may not encourage you to be lazy, but the relaxed feel of your home will!
A leafy, woody scheme is inspired by the earthy abundance of a tropical island. Embrace the resort-style feel in your home by mixing light woods with lush greens in your furnishings. Use palm frond motifs and delicate shell drawings in your decor. Make the most of spaces that invite you to recline in the sunshine with large throw cushions at your back.
Your work life may not encourage you to be lazy, but the relaxed feel of your home will!
This sailor-turned-botanist inspired table setting provides rich pickings for an islander feel. Glass domes house shell and plant specimens and are mixed with batik fabrics and leaf patterned ceramics. Choose the materials and forms that bring back the happiest of memories.
Key elements for achieving the islander look include indoor palms and hanging planters with delicate ferns; pineapple and tribal motifs; hessian fabrics; and seagrass wallpapers.
BONUS TIP: If you are planning a new home, draw inspiration from island nations. Interconnecting pavilion-style pods, popular in Indonesia, for example, offer laid-back coastal living.
BONUS TIP: If you are planning a new home, draw inspiration from island nations. Interconnecting pavilion-style pods, popular in Indonesia, for example, offer laid-back coastal living.
4. Bohemian
Neve has humorously rebadged the sometimes overused Bohemian label as “‘Gypsetter’ –a mix between ‘gypsy’ and ‘jet setter’.” Think global roaming, free-spirits with a touch of the luxury nomad. If this is you, use rich corals, exotic patterns and gleaming glassware to capture the look. The colour palette is vibrant and bright, but a neutral background will keep things grounded – just be sure to keep elaborate items, such as cushions and wall hangings, small in size.
Neve has humorously rebadged the sometimes overused Bohemian label as “‘Gypsetter’ –a mix between ‘gypsy’ and ‘jet setter’.” Think global roaming, free-spirits with a touch of the luxury nomad. If this is you, use rich corals, exotic patterns and gleaming glassware to capture the look. The colour palette is vibrant and bright, but a neutral background will keep things grounded – just be sure to keep elaborate items, such as cushions and wall hangings, small in size.
There is a gypsy caravan feel to this repurposed boat shed. Decorate informal spaces for leisure and pleasure using a mix of fabrics and hard and soft furnishings. String a lantern for a festive feel.
BONUS TIP: Treasures from the ocean floor, like colourful pearly shells, are a wonderful addition to an eclectic collection. Carry the inspiration into beaded and dyed fabrics and ribbons.
BONUS TIP: Treasures from the ocean floor, like colourful pearly shells, are a wonderful addition to an eclectic collection. Carry the inspiration into beaded and dyed fabrics and ribbons.
5. Endless summer
A bright, sunshiny palette that draws upon nostalgic seaside holiday memories is brought into the everyday with Neve’s last take on coastal style. Not to be over thought, this aesthetic has a sense of faded glory, as holidays passed are brought into the present in a sympathetic and softer light.
Sip a mocktail under your vintage retro umbrella and settle back into this classic Aussie beach cottage scene. The fibre shack may be becoming a thing of the past, but recreating the past has never been such fun!
A bright, sunshiny palette that draws upon nostalgic seaside holiday memories is brought into the everyday with Neve’s last take on coastal style. Not to be over thought, this aesthetic has a sense of faded glory, as holidays passed are brought into the present in a sympathetic and softer light.
Sip a mocktail under your vintage retro umbrella and settle back into this classic Aussie beach cottage scene. The fibre shack may be becoming a thing of the past, but recreating the past has never been such fun!
Blow your teen (or inner-teen) away with a surfboard bedhead in this vintage coast-inspired room. The original 1950s cooler box makes a great bedside table and the cockatoo lamp brings the outdoors in!
To bring an endless summer feel to your home, try adding vintage postcards; felt tourist flags; 1960s-inspired patio furniture; retro beach towels and striped canvas; and garden ornaments such as flamingos! Most importantly, re-evaluate what is kitsch and what actually evokes happy holiday memories.
Sandcastles: Interiors Inspired by the Coast, by Tim Neve (published by Murdoch Books) is available online and in book stores nationally.
TELL US
Which of Neve’s new takes on coastal style appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: ‘The Tailored Interior’ by Greg Natale
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Mr Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘Design With Colour and Style’ by Shaynna Blaze
To bring an endless summer feel to your home, try adding vintage postcards; felt tourist flags; 1960s-inspired patio furniture; retro beach towels and striped canvas; and garden ornaments such as flamingos! Most importantly, re-evaluate what is kitsch and what actually evokes happy holiday memories.
Sandcastles: Interiors Inspired by the Coast, by Tim Neve (published by Murdoch Books) is available online and in book stores nationally.
TELL US
Which of Neve’s new takes on coastal style appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: ‘The Tailored Interior’ by Greg Natale
Book Review: ‘A Place Called Home’ by Mr Jason Grant
Book Review: ‘Design With Colour and Style’ by Shaynna Blaze
In each chapter, he shares ways to create your own mood boards and interpret his colour palettes into your own style. It’s a good reminder that you don’t need coastal views to get a coastal look, nor does it have to look the same. With various looks sure to suit any style and taste, trying to choose your favourite could be the ultimate challenge!