After living less than three miles from the beach for the past (almost) 5 years, I decided it was finally time to channel those coastal vibes at home. While I usually lean into warmer, earthy tones, I wanted our sitting room to feel light and airy–nothing over the top, just simple swaps, soft textures, and budget‑friendly updates that breathe fresh life into the space.
If you’re looking to breathe a little ocean air into your home (even if you’re miles from the sea), start small, shop your home, and trust your instincts. Here’s how I kicked things off:
Phase 1: Antique Art + a Frame Glow‑Up
It all began with a thrifted clipper‑ship painting. It had been in our middle son’s room for the past year, and I decided to try it out in the sitting room-and it ended up being the perfect jumping off point to inspire the space—but the dark frame felt too heavy and dated.
Rather than replace it, I grabbed a tube of Rub ’n Buff in European Gold and a bit of Antique Gold metallic craft paint—and used an old eyeshadow brush to apply both.
In minutes (and for under $10), the frame transformed.
Tip: Rub ’n Buff is one of my favorite ways to give vintage finds new life. It takes minutes and costs under $10.
Phase 2: Shelf Styling
Next, I tackled the built‑ins. I cleared everything off, edited down to a cohesive palette, and grabbed a few other things that I thought would work from around the house.
Dark, heavy items came off the shelves in favor of woven trays, neutral pottery, and coastal treasures, like oyster shells we’ve collected (we always ask restaurants to save the special ones), brass accents, beach stones, and one new ginger jar I couldn’t resist.
Rather than follow a formula, I simply shifted pieces around until they felt balanced and breezy. I may still tweak a few things, but I feel good about them for now.
Design Insight: You don’t need a strict recipe for gorgeous shelves. Remove everything first, then rebuild one piece at a time—books for height, textured accents for warmth, and unique finds to tell your story. Trust your eye (and your gut) to guide you.
I also incorporated these fun board games, disguised as books by Hearth & Hand with Magnolia. They sent them to me and they are just adorable:
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share Phases 3–5: the ottoman makeover, styling, and some fresh new pillows and textiles to tie it all together.
Stylish refresh on a budget. The focus on art and shelf decor provides achievable ideas for a fresh new coastal look without overspending.