Artistic Coastal Living Room Ideas: How to Style Bold Accents with Balance
Artistic accents add life to this Sea Pines living room
Story by Alea Wilkins + Photography by Katie Lybrand
Like an art gallery, a living room requires careful curation. A blank slate can feel lifeless, yet a room overflowing with showstoppers can turn into an eyesore. Pairing vivid hues and sculptures with creative neutrals, this South Beach living room, designed by Hannah Fulton of J. Banks Design, evokes the perfect balance. Each piece – from the geometric coffee table to the abstract lamp – intentionally excites without chaos, creating a uniquely Lowcountry masterpiece.
Well rounded
With semicircle cutouts, this neutral coffee table is anything but basic. Its golden legs, welded in a “Vitruvian Man”-esque configuration, add personality while the simple top allows other pieces, like colorful books and shell decor, to shine.
Center stage
Showcase photos, knick-knacks and assorted decor on the perfect backdrop. This console weaves rattan into a billowing curtain as if a performance is about to begin. The organic material grounds the avant-garde pieces above it, setting the stage for artistic accents to be admired.
Mixed media
Blending earthly elegance with industrial-chic brass, this oversized drum pendant matches the living room’s eclectic vibe. When natural light hits the metallic rim, it sparkles like an ornate chandelier, but its understated design doesn’t distract from the space’s other standout moments.
Purposeful pairings
These floral lamps prove even bold decor can blend in. A work of art on their own, the lamps become surprisingly understated when arranged next to the painting on the wall. Their aqua glass matches the painting’s palette and brush strokes for a masterclass in interior design.
Blank canvas
Although simple on its own, this muted ceramic vase is the perfect canvas for any array of blooms. Its warm undertones complement the earthy hues throughout the room, and it welcomes the opportunity to introduce even more pops of color..
