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Sandy mindset: Coastal decor brings calm, peace to local homes

By Patt Keith 5 min read

The Allegheny Mountains may surround the Blair County region, but many residents prefer to bring the seaside inside through the colors and accessories such as white end tables, cream-colored couches, aquamarine walls, lamps filled with seashells and more.

Mary Beth Schmidhamer and Lindsey Haulman, both of Altoona, and Kathy Gates of Glasgow feel the salty air, sandy shores and the sound of ocean waves are a slice of heaven on earth.

For Schmidhamer, her annual beach trip includes sunrise and sunset walks, kayaking trips and falling asleep to the sounds of the surf.

She's in the process of creating a beach-themed room using her own photos, memorabilia and will add houseplants plants, too. An avid crocheter, Schmidhamer has created afghans using yarn colors that mimic the sand, ocean, skies she's enjoyed on her trips.

"I have a lot of thoughts and ideas," she said. "I'd like to get the vibe going and make it a relaxation space. I want a room where I don't have the distractions of everyday life. I want to go in and relax and chill. And, that's what I do when I go to the beach. I go to chill."

Such relaxation is integral when it comes to coastal decorating.

"It's a more relaxed vibe," said local designer Jamie Fleming, district manager for Park Home in Duncansville. "In furnishings, this is seen as big, oversized and comfy pieces as opposed to something more formal."

White furnishings are paired with wall colors that mimic the ocean or lake hues of blues, spa green and aquamarine. Specialty fabrics for furnishings can be found with starfish, anchors and more, Fleming said. "Stripes also pair well with a coastal theme. It's growing in popularity because so many people like the beach. They like to bring that coastal look into their home."

Gates, a former manager at Park Home, said she's woven the beach throughout her home, which she and her husband, Tom, built.

"It's not a trend for me. I've been doing it for years. I don't go for trends or fads -- I just do what I like," she explained. She fell in love with the ocean as a 10-year-old on a family vacation to Key West Florida and her love hasn't wavered.

An avid seashell and sand dollar collector, Gates said she gradually accessorized their home over the years through seashell-embellished table runners, candles and beach sayings on little signs. Accent pieces in the living room table, and colorful throw pillows add a splash on the cream-colored couch. Glass lamps are filled with her beach finds.

"I didn't want to just put them in a box," Gates said. "I see all this and it makes me happy. The beach has been a big part of our family life."

She's incorporated touches of the beach everywhere -- down to seashell stamps in the floor tile in the hallway that leads from the kitchen to the four-season room and out to their backyard pool.

For Haulman, her beach retreat is Stone Harbor, N.J. -- and her Altoona home.

"I feel this sense of calmness when I'm at the beach," she said. So, she adds reminders of "her happy place" through accessories, such as a blue whale butter dish and white whale salt and pepper shakers.

"I keep it simple. The fan pull (chain) says 'beach this way' with an arrow or a candy dish," she said. "I don't want to overdo it, but keep it subtle." The downstairs finished basement is done in hues of ocean blue and more beach-themed decor.

A trend within the coastal design trend is jellyfish decor, according to Aino Heinasuo, head of design at Redecor, in an email interview. At redecor.com, readers can experiment with decor changes -- a game for home design lovers.

"The jellyfish decor trend is gaining popularity beyond coastal areas due to its distinctive and ethereal aesthetic. Evolving from the seashell trend popularized in the '80s and revisited in 2020s, jellyfish-inspired decor offers a fresh and sophisticated take on marine themes. Its ability to complement modern, minimalist and eclectic styles makes it versatile and appealing to a wide range of interior design enthusiasts," Heinasuo said.

"Beyond interior design, the trend has also made waves in fashion, nail art, and even hair design, showcasing its broad and versatile appeal," she said. "It's become a state of mind even, where 'be jelly' used to mean you're jealous, but it is now repurposed into an entire state of mind of being calm, go with the flow, vibe, but illuminate in your own special way while doing so, which is quite sweet."

Jellyfish decor features soft, luminous tones in shades of blue and teal, pearlescent whites, pale pinks and oceanic greens and turquoises and specifically highlights "the delicate mesmerizing qualities of jellyfish itself. This focus enables a more refined and targeted approach to decor."

Like local beach lovers, Heinasuo said the key is to create tasteful jellyfish-themed decor, through artwork, throw pillows and lighting fixtures.

"Stick to a cohesive color palette that compliments your existing decor, avoiding overly bright colors. Balance jellyfish elements with neutral and natural textures, such as wood or stone, to prevent an overwhelming look," she said. "Use jellyfish-inspired decor as accent pieces rather than making it the dominant theme, ensuring a harmonious blend with other design elements. Even a single jellyfish-themed item, like a lamp or art piece, can effectively capture the trend without going overboard."

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith can be reached at 814-949-7030.

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