Coastal Inspiration – The Color Scheme of our Magnolia Home

The intention of our Magnolia home was to encapsulate coastal living with modern trends and ease of lifestyle. We began with a clean, crisp slate and layered in a variety of Gulf-inspired blues and lighter neutrals, harkening to the sandy beaches of Florida.

Outside, we kept the color light to complement the pale greige ledger stone facade, creating a subtle but welcoming base. This is balanced with the various deeper finishes of the champagne metal roof, the bronze windows, bronze lights and architectural details, and capped by the dark walnut wood tones of the custom garage door and entry doors.

On Trend – Warm Whites

For this home, we wanted the overall color to be soft yet warm, inviting, and complementary.  Gone are the days of bright, bluish whites and cold grays; instead, our designers are now opting for warmer, more welcoming whites, giving the effect of soft European sandstone. Trending whites we are using on repeat include Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore Pale Oak, and Sherwin-Williams Sanctuary.

GET THE MAGNOLIA LOOK: SHOJI WHITE by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

On Trend – A Lighter Shade of Blue

In a seaside home in Florida, you look out the window often to find a variety of blues in Mother Nature. Often, those blues are translated into the interiors on everything from the walls to the furnishings. It's the "Florida Look."

Blue captures the Floridian lifestyle, especially in a waterfront residence. In Magnolia's primary bedroom, we introduced a paler blue, a trending color that has replaced aqua and gray. We include this blue in the fun palm wallpaper mural and layered in a variety of other hues of the same color in the rug, tying it all together with a beautiful fully upholstered linen poster bed and matching ginger jar lamps. This color scheme creates a serene, spa-like coastal sophistication and offers a quiet respite at the end of a busy day of beaching, fishing, and entertaining.

GET THE LOOK: PALM GROVE MURAL by THIBAUT

On Trend – Navy Sophistication

In the upstairs family room, where entertaining and gathering are the focus, we went with a timeless classic, deep navy. This maritime color transcends trends, associated with designer sophistication and upscale interiors. The tone we chose is based on Sherwin-Williams Indigo Batik, a rich, deep blue that complements this home’s warm whites and sandy neutrals. Other great navy blues include Sherwin-Williams’ Marea Baja, Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue, and Farrow & Ball’s Drawing Room Blue.

GET THE LOOK: INDIGO BATIK by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

On Trend – Nice Neutrals

As a complement to the warm whites and many hues of blue in Magnolia, we accented the ceilings, floors, furniture, and cabinetry in a variety of rooms with a mid-tone neutral. This beachy color is easy on the eyes and avoids creating a heavy load on the surfaces. Perfect for the Florida seaside, it’s a great balance to the light brightness of the white and the watery fluidity of the blues. Other neutrals we are currently loving include Sherwin-Williams’ Urban Putty, Benjamin Moore’s First Crush, and Sherwin-Williams’ Maison Blanc.

GET THE LOOK: SOFTER TAN by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

In conclusion, creating a sophisticated coastal color palette is about capturing the natural beauty of your surroundings. Today's waterfront interiors are combining warmer whites to create an inviting backdrop, paired with lighter, cleaner blues reminiscent of the sparkling sea. Soft sandy neutrals are always a good choice, bringing inspiration from the sandy beaches, while classic navy remains a favorite in coastal homes for its timeless elegance and nod to the nautical. Combining and layering any of these colors creates a fresh, refined aesthetic that feels both luxurious yet effortlessly livable - perfect for the relaxed living of Southwest Florida or the sophistication of the Côte d'Azur.