The coastal California interior design trend took the world by storm. The aesthetic maintains its foundation in a light, bright, laid-back look, featuring white walls, pale neutrals, and furnishings with an unstructured, casual silhouette. But all of that is subtly changing.
"While I don't see the California coastal trend headed for a dusty shelf anytime soon," explains Stephanie Park, owner and designer of North Peoria's Urbane Interiors, "I am seeing subtle shifts away from the blazingly bright ambiance that has been emulated time and time again."
Park loves this "glow-up," which brings warmer tones to the coastal California aesthetic, especially for our Arizona lifestyles. "Arizona is a backdrop of warm browns and beiges," she explains. Pulling these same tones into our homes can be effortless and lends well to our indoor-outdoor living, especially in the coming cooler temperatures."
Park reminds her clients to use the natural environment to their advantage. "The trees here in our desert are gorgeous. Trim a few branches off and add them to a beautiful artisan vase for instant style and organic panache!"
A Subtle Shift in Design Trends
Park points to several trends that highlight this subtle shift toward a more colorful design aesthetic:
- Warmer, more organic wall finishes. The starkness of white walls is giving way to softer, more subdued pigments. Lime washes and applications of Roman clay are increasingly popular. A favorite at Urbane Interiors is Portola Paints lime wash in the "Dune Shack" shade.
- Warmer tones in cabinetry. While a classic white kitchen remains popular, there is a growing trend toward stained cabinetry in warm tones. "Wood tones have been more of an accent in the coastal California era, but they are now taking center stage in cabinetry and millwork," explains Park.
- Travertine is back—sort of. While the heavy, Tuscan-style travertine of the early 2000s remains a thing of the past, a refined travertine with clean, modern lines is trending. "It is being used as a statement piece on waterfall islands and in clean-cut tile for accent walls," says Park. While that much travertine is a significant investment, Park suggests bringing the same feel into your home through smaller pieces, like small cocktail tables, vases, and decorative trays.
- Bye-bye, unstructured! While the casual, undone feel of coastal California is effortless, the move is toward cleaner, more classic silhouettes. Park explains that, "While comfort is still important, the overly relaxed look is being replaced with a slightly more grown-up look."
- Moody colors rule. Moving away from a white-washed palette has opened the door for warmer, richer tones. Darker paint colors, especially in unexpected spaces—think powder baths and ceilings—instantly transform any space. Warmer neutrals (chestnut, warm gray) and bolder jewel tones (warm navy, rusty red) are welcomed into this new aesthetic. Park predicts that chocolate brown will be the season's big color. "It is warm, lends itself to the upcoming fall and winter months, and is a great neutral. And yes, when done right, brown definitely goes with black accents."
Urbane Interiors Can Help You Find Your New Style
Park, who spent 20 years as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, launched Urbane Interiors in early 2023. She sits with new clients before creating the first mood board to learn about their personalities, lifestyles, and priorities. "We create beautiful spaces that function for you and your lifestyle."
"We provide a luxe, elevated design experience for those who desire to live the good life with family, friends, and clients."