Instead of buying all-new furniture to create a calm coastal environment in her living room, designer Lori Rourk transformed her existing furniture. "All of this furniture in its existing state was very dark and gloomy. I loved the lines of all of these pieces, so instead of buying new, I would recreate my vision to be light and airy," Rourk says.

This coastal living room sitting area features a variety of elements for a one-of-a-kind look. The dark antique chair anchors the room while light linens and white walls provide an airy, beach-home feel.

This small studio workspace uses a mix of different types of materials for an interesting texture. Old and new looks create an overall creative aesthetic while the black helps anchor the space.

A former old-world bed was transformed into a coastal focal point simply by changing its surroundings. "I never dreamed that it would work in this environment," says designer Lori Rourk. "Once I placed it in the room, it became a focal point and was an unexpected delight."