Bold Coastal Colors For This Tabletop Design
It is essential to me that while living by the coast, whether in Connecticut or California, I bring elements from the outdoors into my home. It just feels right to me, and it just makes me happy!
What we define as beautiful is very individualistic, depending on where we call home. The colors, textures, patterns, and organic shapes found outdoors bring holistic feelings that can heal and calm our lives. Whether you live in the country or by the sea, those colors that inspire you are essential to your well-being.
Let’s talk about the Theory of Biophilia just a bit.
The theory of Biophilia shows that human health and well-being depend on our natural environment. The theory states that all humans have an innate love and need for the natural world. Throughout the ages, humans have always depended on our environment and other living organisms to survive. It is believed that our DNA is hard-wired to find natural well-being in nature, so why not bring it into our homes and commercial buildings to promote health and wellness?
The idea is not to bring in one or two plants, and you have the environment needed for wellness. It is more than that; it is a combination of different fundamental principles that creates a habitat conducive to a healthy lifestyle explicitly created for your taste.
There are two different features of biophilic design.
The first is the organic features depicted by things or experiences that come from nature. They don’t necessarily need to be touched but can also be seen from afar. It incorporates natural lighting and materials, views of our surroundings, vegetation, and other natural elements that exist in nature.
The other feature is based on the specific geographic and cultural environment of your specific surroundings. It is the geology that surrounds your home.
To learn more about Biophilic Interior Design, go to my blog. The link is here.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
”
The color of the ocean appears in DIFFERING hues for many reasons. This is because algae and dissolved substances ABSORB light in the blue and red portions of the spectrum. We find blue, green, yellow, brown, AND even red in some locations of the world.
Botanical Coastal Mood Board
This is a tabletop mood board that I created to represent the colors of the ocean. There is a spectrum of colors from deep blue to aqua and light blue to red, all matching the ocean's colors and the vegetation surrounding the dunes.
I created a Mood Board by bringing both photos together. I also used this other photo of the California coastline - Beautiful hues of nature incorporated into one table design. Colors of the ocean are brought into the home to promote health and wellness.
“Don’t underestimate the healing power of these three things: music, the ocean and the stars.”
I will live very close to the ocean in California and wanted to create a table representing my surroundings. Although I am a New Englander through and through, I still absolutely adore the colors of the Pacific Ocean and look forward to exploring and adding to my design aesthetics as I experience California. I already love it!
I decided to create a tablescape with the feel of the sea, whether I am in Connecticut or California. I love the ocean, so it is no wonder that I am drawn to all the hues of blue and green.
These beautiful multi-colored plates were my inspiration for my table design. For me, they represented the deep jewel colors found in the ocean. They are also glazed to look like the deep blue water in the middle of the ocean, and I wanted to capture a little of that feeling in my tablescape.
The tablecloth is a gorgeous French linen jacquard pattern that I love. The colors are muted and bright depending on where you look AT the tablecloth. I just added it to my inventory, and of course, I am keeping one for myself!
In my floral arrangement, I wanted to add greens, blues, and brown colors that we find in nature.
I found these lovely serving dishes at a wholesale outlet and had to have them. They are different shapes of leaves of varying colors.
The organic shape of this bowl is perfect for a biophilic-inspired tablescape. Most organic objects are not perfectly round in nature, and I love that this bowl is a bit off. The deep aqua hues are a perfect jewel tone YOU FIND IN THE OCEAN, AND NOTICE YOU FIND THAT SAME COLOR ON THE PLATE RIM.
I put this picture here for a reason. I wanted to show that designing, whether for a home or a table, is an iterative process.
When I design a table, I never truly have the complete design in my head when I start. I try different color schemes and textures to see which works best. As you can see here, I added a light green ribbon to my place setting and a pink rose to my centerpiece. Once I did that, I realized it wasn’t the direction I was going for. This, for me, was not organic enough, and the colors were off. I needed more natural elements on my table.
Instead, I decided to use this beautiful raw silk naturally dyed ribbon to add color to my place setting and give it a more natural look and feel. The ribbon is a more organic color than you would find in nature.
Natural Materials and Warm Colors
I only chose warm natural colors you would see in nature in my centerpiece. Blue is a problematic flower color to find if you use blue hydrangeas. Since they are not in season then, I chose blue delphinium and some purple hyacinth. I added a variety of muted roses and a pop of purple. The greens are a mixture of colors and textures found throughout my table.
The quartz candle votive added an additional texture layer and an organic feel to the tablescape.
I adore monogramming, which is all the rave in the design world today. I added this linen napkin and changed the plate to a blue and white Spode dish. I wanted to show how different a table design can look with just two changes. This tablescape is less organic but still has that coastal look and feel I love. It depends on your taste and what makes you most comfortable when entertaining. What feels like home to you?
““I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order””
“The thing is…when designing for your home or just styling a tablescape, you should include elements that bring peace to you and truly feel like home. Your external natural surroundings are just so crucial for a holistically healthy home. A mix of colors, textures, and the like place where you live daily elicits feelings of warmth and well-being. Bring them to your table as well. Welcoming friends and family to your table should be joyful, and it should capture the essence of who you are and tell a small story about what you love.
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Have a lovely day, my friends!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
Biophilic Color Inspiration
