Written by Ingrid Gorissen
People are naturally drawn to aquatic hues and associate the colour of the ocean with qualities like calm, openness, depth and wisdom.
That’s why many Aussies dream of building a home with an ocean view.
We turn to water for a sense of calm and clarity.
Water can induce a meditative state.
How to design with nature and the ocean in mind:
Simple Beach House Designs can add a rich tranquillity to our daily lives.
The rhythmic tides and surf expand our consciousness of our own life force, sand between toes reinforces connection with the earth, and the sun and wind on your face brings a refreshing sweetness to our day.
Simple beach house designs are all about bringing those same special influences into our homes. We love designing homes that reflect the simplicity of beach life. Natural materials such as stone and timber create a powerful connection with nature and provide a rich contrast to glass, steel and concrete.
Features of simple beach house designs include:
- Seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Natural materials such as stone, timber and glass
- Simple clean lines
- Colour choices that reflect and celebrate your life
Especially here on the Fraser Coast with our perfect climate, home designs should take advantage of natural lighting, ventilation, and thermal mass storage to create a home that flows with the seasons. This results in a home that is cool in summer and warm in winter naturally and with minimal energy costs.
Designing with the colour BLUE
Our affinity for water is reflected in the attraction to the colour blue.
No wonder that it’s the world’s favourite colour.
Blue is just everywhere. It’s the colour of the sky on a hot summer’s day, the ocean stretching out over the horizon, or the crystal-clear blue of someone’s eyes.
However, as much as blue is the most favourite colour, in Interior Design, there are areas that blue just is not the right fit. It’s the worst colour to use in the kitchen or dining room.
It is one of the least appetizing colours.
The hue rarely occurs naturally in foods only in mould or rot. If you want your family and guests to enjoy their food, go for a warm-toned colour in the kitchen and dining room.
Blue in a study room
Studies have proven that blue can improve concentration and increase productivity.
A blue feature wall, some blue-toned artworks, or blue window coverings would be a great idea.
Blue in a bedroom
Blue is a naturally soothing colour. When we stare out into the ocean or up at the sky, we feel calm and quiet. Soft blues can help to relax and switch off after a long day.
Blue in a bathroom
The colour of water is a natural fit for a room built around its role in keeping us clean and healthy. It is soothing, relaxing, evocative of sea and sky.
Blue in children’s rooms
Blue is a non-threatening colour, and it calms and cools rather than energizes. A light blue ceiling may relax a child who struggles to get to sleep, and a blue feature wall can help a distracted child focus and get their homework done.
Blue in small rooms
If you have a room in your home that’s particularly small or cramped, try out a cool-toned, almost icy blue colour on the walls. This colour reflects – rather than absorbs – light, making the space appear bigger than it actually is. Double up on light reflection by hanging a large mirror.
So, why do we all try to build with ocean views? Why do we love the ocean so much?
The rhythms of the sea washes away all the stress. It’s as though all the messy clutter of busy modern living gets cleared away and you can finally view life in its pure beauty.
It’s no coincidence, then, that many of us try to be as close to the ocean as possible as it just makes us feel great!
Happy and Healthy Living!