Coastal Décor Trends We Might Actually Use - and Love! (part 1)
Light the Way
Summer 2025 trends are aligning with how we live and work at Laughing Gull Hill:
- The Quiet Power of Statement Lighting
- Biophilic Design
- Reclaimed and Artisan Pieces
- Gallery Walls Layered with Stories
- Indoor/Outdoor Living
We’ll have plenty to say on all these topics, but let’s start with lighting. After all, if the lighting doesn’t complement the contents of a room, what’s the point? We’ve found that the right coastal cottage lighting fixtures—whether it’s a glass pendant wrapped in natural fibers, an oversized antique white with brass lined lantern, or a simple, hand-forged sconce—can bring warmth and character to even the trickiest corners of a historic home. And because sustainability matters to us, we love exploring eco-friendly coastal lighting ideas that not only brighten your spaces but do so responsibly. So let’s take you inside how we approached lighting a 1700s Sea Captain’s house, using light to bring out its best stories while keeping that relaxed, breezy coastal feel we love.
Lighting an Old Home Without Losing Its Soul
You might wonder why a coastal fabric and wallpaper company is talking about lighting. Simple: our design studio shares our 1700s Cape Cod Sea Captain’s home that doubles as a testing ground for our fabrics and wallpapers—and is the backdrop for our photo shoots. So, we’d love to share what we have learned over the years about making old spaces light up, so your coastal home feels as good as it looks. Plus you get to see first hand how our hand-sketched beach wash ashores blend in with a beachy cottage core aesthetic.
The quiet power of statement lighting truly sets the mood.
Goodman Pendant
by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort Signature
Antique White w/Brass Interior Large Pendant
Photo by Joyelle West
Why Lighting Matters in Old Homes
When we purchased Laughing Gull Hill, the 18th century home built by Sea Captain James Childs, it had almost no ceiling lights and barely any lighting throughout. Built long before electricity, the house was designed for warmth from fireplaces and light from lanterns. Adding lighting to a historic home isn’t just about convenience; it’s about bringing a house to life while respecting its past. It can be tricky to get just the right balance of lighting where it’s needed in combination with achieving the right “look and feel” – getting the old meets new just right.
Photo by Joyelle West
Couldn't resist Before and After Photos of the Kitchen.
Kitchen Fireplace. Photo by Joyelle West
"The details are not the details. They make the design."
The Challenge: Lighting Without Disrupting History
At LGH, we faced the challenge of weaving in what we now consider basic needs—lighting and power—without stripping away the charm that made us love this house in the first place. In the 1700s there was no thought given to how one would charge their iphone, ipad, laptop and Apple Watch. Power consumption of HVAC systems, hot water heater, electric washer/dryer and the list goes on... so fast forward to 2025 we are still tweaking our electrical needs. Living on the Coast includes big wind and rainstorms and power outages so generators are another consideration. How did they manage to survive coastal living in the 18th and 19th centuries?
Our initial goal was basic: add power, lights and heat to our second floor. Secondly we attempted to keep the lighting warm, practical, and in harmony with the home’s historic character while supporting a casual, coastal lifestyle. We chose Schoolhouse lighting for its timeless craftsmanship and clean design that complements old architecture. Pull chain and dimmer sconces met the need for light in the rooms with very low ceilings. Strategically placed overhead surface lights also from Schoolhouse Electric were a perfect fit.
Schoolhouse Sconce Photo by Dan Smith
Schoolhouse Lighting. Photo by Dan Smith
Schoolhouse Swing Arm Wall Light. Photo by Dan Smith
Tips for Adding Lighting in Your Own Coastal Home
1. Start with Function: Identify dark corners, task areas, and rooms where natural light is limited.
- Hallways can often be problematic – no windows and in older homes tricky to get power installed so sometimes battery powered or lights plugged into outlets can provide sufficient light
- Closets – this is where battery powered lighting with a motion sensor comes in handy – again older homes are often lacking power in these spaces so battery powered is a life saver
- Attics and Basements – bigger storage spaces most often older homes have no power available so again battery powered maybe the best option.
2. Use Warm Bulbs: Cool light can feel out of place in an old home. Opt for warm LED bulbs to create a welcoming glow.
- Warm LED lighting is gentler and less glaring, helping you relax - perfect lighting for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
- LED lighting is much more energy efficient which is always a plus with the additional benefit of saving money
- Need a Cozy Casual Coastal “look and feel”: LEDs highlight the richness of wood, stone, and textiles, bringing out natural colors without making them look harsh or washed out, which is especially useful in vintage coastal cottage interiors.
Schoolhouse Sconce Photo by Dan Smith
3. Mix Sources: Combine ceiling fixtures, sconces, and table lamps to avoid harsh overhead-only lighting.
- Ceiling fixtures are great for walking into a room – simply switch on
- Table lamps provide task lighting – adding light and charm for reading nooks or bedside table lamps for reading in bed with the added bonus of not having to get out bed to turn on/off.
- Like at LGH we used sconces as overhead or full room lighting due to low ceilings. Where possible the use of overhead lighting is more traditional and lights up a room immediately.
4. Choose Fixtures That Feel Timeless: Look for pieces with classic shapes and finishes that will age gracefully alongside your home.
- Simple silhouettes like globe pendants, drum shades won’t date quickly and blend with evolving styles.
- Opt for glass, brass, natural fibers or ceramic fixtures with age gracefully.
- Keeping finishes neutral – matte black, aged brass and polished nickel blend most effectively.
5. Recessed Lighting: LED recessed lighting is a great option due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and aesthetic appeal. Plus offer dimming options.
- Low ceilings make it difficult to find just the right overhead light – perfect use of recessed lighting
- In older homes the rooms can be cut-up or offer an awkward flow. Recessed lights help eliminate a cluttered look and make room usage more flexible
- Newer simple recessed lights are so unobtrusive and allow for lighting specific areas. We used gimbal recessed lights for highlighting bookshelves and artwork.
Schoolhouse Sconce Photo by Dan Smith
Letting the House Lead
Photo by Angel Tucker
At Laughing Gull Hill, we believe in letting the house lead the way while making it livable for today. Good lighting has allowed us to bring warmth and functionality into each room without losing the soul of our sea captain’s home. It’s a reminder that old homes don’t need to stay dark to stay authentic—they just need lighting that respects their story.
I fell in love with vintage Jielde lighting - sconces and the funky floor lamps. Originally crafted by Jean Louis Domecq in the 1950 to 1960 from WWI metals. The sconces and floor lamp were a perfect fit our our Nantucket Red Living Room as it was too difficult to add electrical wiring to our ceiling. So Jielde to the rescue!
If you love them as much as we do, you can find similar Jielde lighting on 1st Dibs.
See How the Pros Do It... Sea Captain’s Homes, Reimagined: 3 Inspiring Professional Renovations
Nantucket Sea Captain’s Home – Exquisite Wall Mural, Old World Charm Meets Modern Updates
Pacific Northwest Sea Captain’s Home – Eclectic: Color, Wallpaper and Tons of History
Cottages & Gardens Article featuring an Essex, CT Sea Captain’s Home – Calmly Updated, Neutral and Contemporary
https://cottagesgardens.com/a-former-sea-captains-home-gets-a-new-look/
Claire Miner of Demende
Upcoming LGH Journal Posts
→ Stay tuned for our next 2025 Summer Coastal Decor Trends - Part #2 Biophilic Design - bringing nature to interior design
→ Followed by Part #3 - Reclaimed and Artisan Pieces
→ Part #4 Gallery Walls Layered with Stories - Fun, Family and Favorite Memories
→ Last by not least, Part 5 will cover Indoor/Outdoor Living. A Coastal Must!
Summer is a great time to make those little changes and continue to explore how to reimagine living a truly easy, breezy coastal lifestyle.
The Author: Beth Odence
Beth Odence is the owner and creative director behind Laughing Gull Hill. With a background in interior design and home staging, she is no stranger to finding strikingly beautiful ways to incorporate old and new details into cohesive spaces. Her home and studio at Laughing Gull Hill are testament to her keen eye for design.
