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The only problem with owning a luxury pad by the sea is that the waterfront is so far away. OK, maybe not, but it couldn't hurt to bring a bit more nature into your home. Many houses for sale on Australia's coast are modern marvels of engineering and architecture, while others are reminders of days gone by, when times were simpler.
Whatever your choice in seaside property, there's a way to bring in a bit more of Mother Nature's goodness to your lifestyle, accenting your gorgeous location, even when you can't see the ocean.
Seashells
If you have little ones running around the house, you also have an endless supply of seashells. Not only do kids love the beach, they love bringing home unique and interesting treasures they find. There are several ways you can incorporate these into your decor in a tasteful manner.
An easy and simple way to weave shells into your home are mason jars full of sand, stones and shells - like a beach styled terrarium. Another way to show off the best of the shells you find along the shores is to glue magnets to the back of them, so you can proudly display them on the fridge.
If you're a bit more crafty than most, you may be able to sew shells into jewellery or even small window treatments, similar to bead curtains.
Driftwood
A beach with driftwood is an endless supply of architectural and decorative accents. Large trunks of trees can make beautiful accents as pillars or mantels in your home, as well as making very efficient garden borders as well.
If you do use driftwood to hem in your flower beds, try adding crushed shell as a mulch, and simple grasses to create a dune-like feel for your outdoor area.
Small pieces of wood can be used as decorative pieces, or can be fashioned into candleholders, coasters or bookends. If you're more likely to drop some cash than do the DIY, you might consider bigger store-bought beach-inspired options.
Driftwood lamps, shelves, benches, tables and coffee tables are a great way to decorate a seaside property. Don't overdo it though - create a themed suite, or use decorative splashes of this material, but try not to saturate your house in beachiness - it could end up looking more tacky than tasteful.
Calming colours
It's easy to see why people buy luxury waterfront real estate in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or anywhere else. The ocean is a palette that is forever changing, and it can be moody, peaceful and angry all on the same day.
What most people enjoy in living by the sea is a sense of peace and quiet - the tranquillity of looking at the sunset over the golden sands, or the quiet lapping of water against a pier. Try and capture this feeling in your home by bringing in peaceful, beach-inspired colours.
Aside from allowing in a lot of light with windows and mirrors, consider framing these features in whites or creams to make them appear lighter and bigger. Blue or turquoise will accent nicely with this, and tie-in that summery sea feeling.
Surprisingly, grey is a great colour for properties near the beach. Not only is it easy to keep looking great, but when tinted with blues or greens, it can really blend in with the surroundings while providing a very modern look.
Every home should have accent colours, so when planning these think of the colour wheel. If you've got a lot of blue, a zesty orange could be a great contrast. If you have a general sea-coloured palette throughout the house, a bright turquoise or lime green might pop out a lot, without contrasting too much.
