House Tours: A Cottage by the Beach

To set the tone in this beach-themed house, white-painted tongue-and-groove paneling gives the lofty space in the living room a crisp, cottage feeling. A wood mantel with shell carvings frames a smooth white marble fireplace. Casual white slipcovers dress comfortable sofas and chairs and add to the cottage vibe.

Budget Saver: Look for ready-made slipcovers to avoid the cost of custom ones.

To put a personal touch on an otherwise plain-Jane brass picture tree, the homeowner painted it soft white, distressing the finish with sandpaper before adorning it with sparkling crystals and petite picture frames tied on with pretty ribbon.

A simple arrangement of seashells, fresh-from-the-garden roses, glass spheres, and a fragrant votive candle add a dash of blue to the living room coffee table.

An antique French crystal chandelier and a shell-studded mirror made by a local craftsman add sparkle, shine, and texture to the eclectic dining room. A new table was customized to coordinate with the antique chairs -- a lightly stained natural wood tabletop pairs with curvy white legs in a distressed, antique finish.

Budget Saver: When it comes to atmosphere, true antiques such as this chandelier are hard to beat. But if cost is a factor, look for a nice reproduction.

The worn, painted finish of the antique dining room chairs fit perfectly with this home's formal cottage style. These once black leather chairs were reupholstered with a vibrant mix of toile and striped fabrics.

A faceted glass bowl filled with pretty seashells creates a simple but elegant centerpiece for the dining room table. Pink roses in crystal vases add a burst of color to the tablescape.

One of the key traits of the cottage style is distressed furniture. To tie into the crisp, white color palette of this home, the dark wood buffet was painted white then distressed using sandpaper. It's a simple project that will add a lot of character to your furniture.

Bring the beach indoors by scooping up sand and tossing shells into a big glass floor vase in the family room.

A wall of family photos greets visitors to this beachy cottage. The black-and-white photographs fit in beautifully with the home's rustic, casual style.

The family room is the most laidback, beach-like room in the house. Nautical elements such as ships, lanterns, and a wood surfboard add to this room's charm. The antique beaded-board cabinet displays treasures from the sea while hiding games and audio/video equipment behind the doors.

To accessorize the bookcase, photos and found items such as seashells create a personalized look in the home.

A pretty mix of fabric prints graces the duvet cover and pillows in the master bedroom. Colored crystals were added to the chandelier, softening the blue-and-white color scheme with a hint of pink. Several mirrors reflect the light and nearby water.

Editor's Tip: By reflecting objects and light, wall mirrors and glass accents make a room feel bigger and brighter.

Glass vases in different shapes and sizes make more of an impact when grouped. Light aqua vases mix into the variety of blue hues found throughout the master bedroom. Yellow flowers add a bright touch to the room's palette.

The cozy bedroom sitting area, plumped with big pillows and comfy chairs, looks out to the beach. Windows are dressed in sheer linen panels to provide some privacy without blocking the light and views.

A classic antique rocking chair and pillow-covered daybed provide comfort in this child's bedroom. Crisp, white plantation shutters and painted furniture stand out against the serene blue walls. Ribbon hangers add a sweet touch to the framed baby pictures.