Long Island Beach House

by Donna Frasca, Oil, 1985

Idea for this painting seen in my dream

I was born and raised on Long Island, NY. I LOVE these colors. They are crisp, clean and refreshing. When you get this room done, you’ll be able to smell the salty ocean breeze in the air!

This would be a good theme to choose if you lived somewhere by the water of course. It would however, look out of place if you had a log cabin in New Hampshire. Please keep demographics in mind when choosing themes for your home.

The blues and greens of beach glass, the warm color of the sand and sun, the green and brown shades of beach flora, shells, rocks and of course water and sky are all items that will be included for this color recipe.

Accessories for this room would be shells, beach glass, rock, sand art, lighthouses, feathers and an occasional sailboat here and there. Pieces of driftwood for your tables, boating or fishing magazines for your tabletop and bowls or see through containers of beach glass, sand and shells are a must. You can also add artwork of harbors and fishing peers but try to keep it “natural” looking instead of commercial.

Window treatments can be a light sheer or a white/off white shutter. Be careful not to obscure a beautiful beach view. Choose this window treatment only if you happen to have a really close neighbor then you’ll need it for privacy.

Keep the furniture light if you choose wood. An oak, maple or painted just keep it light and bright. If you like wicker, white or natural will work well. If you choose white wicker, you can also paint your wicker to match any color in the room if you want a different look down the line.

Flooring should be the same as the furniture – light and bright with area and throw rugs.