I just love living in New England with the varied weather (okay, late winter/early spring not so much) and topographies. From the ocean to the mountains, we have it all. I live along a tidal river very near where it empties into the ocean. This is the view about two steps from the end of my driveway.
And this is the local beach about 3/4 of a mile away:
The variations in colors are amazing. But overwhelmingly, when we hear the term coastal colors, we think of blues, whites and sandy shades – think Something’s Gotta Give. I put together a grouping of Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams coastal colors palettes that I though you might want to know about. It’s currently available in my store for $9 and includes three palettes – Calming Breezes, Sunny Days and Stormy Seas – each with picks from BM and SW.
Of course, these palettes can be used to help select wall colors for the whole house that will all work beautifully together. But, they can also be used to create a color palette for furnishings, finishes and wall colors for your whole space.
Soft and cool – Calming Breezes looks just like it sounds – a fresh soft breeze wafting through. I took the photo below a couple of years ago at the Newburyport Kitchen Tour – I just loved the soft green gray tile on the walls that complemented the counter top marble so well.
This bed and bedding below is part of my Truro Modern Beach House project.
Thibaut is one of my favorite fabric houses and this grouping below is a perfect reflection of the Calming Breezes palette.
Imagine sparkling seas with the sun glistening off the waves and the Sunny Days palette just springs to life. Both images below were from various Newburyport House tours (it’s a coastal community so it’s no wonder there’s a lot of coastal colors!)
Thibaut‘s Nara Collection is spectacular isn’t it? (Note, Thibaut is trade only. If you would like information on any of their collection, I can help!)
And if darker and more dramatic is your thing, this sitting room below (also from Newburyport) was a mix of pale blue wall behind more dramatic colors and textures.

And below is a rendering I did as part of a house design. I just love the dramatic dark blue grasscloth walls!

Earlier this year, I was asked by FIXR to participate in a survey of interior designers regarding color and paint predictions for 2020. Click on the link to read the entire report, but I thought the graphic below was interesting:
Would love to know your thoughts!
Surroundings by Design CLASSIC COASTAL COLORS PALETTE has three different color palettes: Lights, Brights and Darks with six colors in each palette. Each palette has groups from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, for a total of 6 palettes and 36 individual paint color recommendations. Included are also tips on selecting paint colors and special bonus content! Email me for purchasing information.

Hello Linda, The heat is really settling in over here, along with the humidity, and your Coastal Palettes and accompanying photos were like a breath of fresh, cool air! Your dramatic blue grass cloth is also worth remembering, perhaps in a smaller area if I were afraid to go all-out with it.
–Jim
Hi Jim – hopefully you’ll find some relief from the humidity! It’s just getting hot and humid here, but nothing like where you are. And you’re point about doing something dramatic in a small areas – a great way to dip one’s toe into drama!
Beautiful color groups, Linda, one for every mood! These coastal colors are always my favorites!
Thanks Janet!
What gorgeous palettes!! Thank you for sharing! Inspired!
Thanks Lauren!
I love the different ways you showed how “coastal” colors could be interpreted. There are so many good ideas here.
Thanks so much Jillian! It’s so true – every “theme” has so many potential interpretations!
The term coastal can mean so many different things. I appreciate your point of view on the color palettes can can be inspired by the coast.
Thanks Lisa!
Beautiful palettes!
Thanks Mary Ann!
Hi Linda ~ As someone who lives on the coast, I appreciated this post and enjoyed seeing all of the different color palettes you suggested. It’s hot down here in TX now – hard to believe it’s almost 100 degrees out! Spring went by too fast– and these cooling colors were just the antidote.
Hi Leslie – I so agree about these palettes – they do feel very cooling!
These are beautiful color palettes, I love the different ways you’ve shown coastal design can be versatile in color!
Thank you Carla – I appreciate you reading and commenting!
These are beautiful palettes you have pulled together.
Thanks Sheri!
Very nice colors, – a coastal color palette rarely disappoints!
Thanks Amy – coming from you that’s a big compliment!
Totally crushing on these gorgeous palettes Linda. Choosing one would be like having to pick my favorite child!
Thanks so much Crystal!