We’ve been head over heels for the Coral Casino’s nostalgic vibes from the moment Gray released his latest collection from the beach club, and today our resident design contributor Kate Lester is going all-out vintage with the collection. She surprised us with two unexpected ways she styled her very own Coral Casino print with vintage décor, and if you love her look as much as we do, then you’re in luck because she’s sharing how she pulled it off below… Take it away, Kate!
I am obsessed with this Poolside Phone Call print from Gray’s latest collection at the Coral Casino. It’s chic and cheeky, and I am so attracted to the hint of nostalgia it brings. I mean, who doesn’t want to take a call, no hands, poolside on a retro pink phone? Um, yes, I do.
It’s funny, because when we first got this amazing piece, I felt like I wanted to do something completely different with it. I was craving a juxtaposition of styles, and was dying to pair this retro print from Gray with something unexpected and unique.
Have you ever been deep into your favorite shelter magazine admiring a space, and realizing that there is no way any of the things in the room actually “go” together, but they just DO, and it looks amazing? Yes, us too. In fact it’s pretty much the premise of my entire design aesthetic, so that’s what we wanted to do here.
My team looked at me like I was nuts (as usual) when I decided to style this print with a vintage Chinese elm entry table. No one thought it would mesh well with such a rustic piece of furniture. But guess what? It did. Really well. So well, actually, that we did it twice! Read on to see how we achieved these two looks and gave our poolside diva new life with old stuff.
Look One: Simple and Serene
For this look, we used a vintage Turkish kilim rug to create a base and to anchor the aqua hues in the photo. Next step was adding the accessories. Greenery is always a must, so we brought in something simple and organic feeling. In fact, I am pretty sure we pillaged these branches from the trees behind our studio. (We literally have no shame in our pruning game.)
I think with this look, we wanted everything to feel relaxed and almost thrown together. The draped sea glass beads and African indigo textile help pull things together without it feeling too forced or “styled.” Lastly we added in a few shapely vintage mid-century pottery pieces to keep it current, and make sure it didn’t scream “corner thrift store.” In this scheme, the photography is front and center and that’s exactly what we were going for.
Look Two: Curated Contrast
Because all blue all the time is not everyone’s jam, we ramped things up with a more vibrant Vintage Turkish rug here. I love the way it pulls the tans and pinks from the photograph, and I think it actually offers the whole entry a bit of a warm coral glow. The vintage wicker trunk and straw hat give the vignette texture and a little whimsy. (See, hats are décor… I told you last time!) A few other choice found objects and books were added to break up the neutral textures, and voila! Poolside perfection.
I guess the moral of this long-winded (as usual) story is to be brave with your art. If you like a piece, BUY IT! Don’t worry if it’s not a perfect fit right off the bat with the rest of your décor. Adorn your space with found objects, or curated selections that have a sentimental value and tell a story. I often think a pop of the unexpected is a bit more interesting anyway. Tie it in with a rug and accessories, and then own it. Happy styling!
What unexpected décor style would you pair your Coral Casino prints with?
If you loved this piece from Kate, then don’t forget to follow her on social media @klinteriors and check out her previous work here on the blog:
Tips & Tricks: Tips for the Perfect Shelfie
Tips & Tricks: Coffee Table Edition
Design Direction: How to Make an Entrance, Part I
Design Direction: How to Make an Entrance, Part II
And shop the entirety of Gray Malin at the Coral Casino HERE.
Xx Team GM
Photos: Lauren Pressey