This year’s HGTV Dream Home uses coastal style as its inspiration thanks to its location on Puget Sound—which also happens to be the spectacular view from the kitchen. Sun-bleached colors, painted beadboard ceilings, natural wood finishes, and a breezy marble-look wall set a waterfront mood.

In this side storage area, designer Brian Patrick Flynn wanted to add as much function as possible—even in the two-foot-by-two-foot space between the cabinet and the countertop. A chalkboard wall message center fit the bill perfectly. “We wanted to make sure we had elements that were playful but also practical,” Brian says.

Whitewashed wood floors mimic the look of sand underfoot. The floors, which reflect the abundant natural light in the room and keep the space feeling bright, are a great example of how you can use modern, minimalist finishes in an overall scheme that still feels traditional.

The light fixtures in the kitchen offer a modern, beachy twist on traditional pendants. Using white lighting against white beadboard ceilings and white walls gives the room a streamlined appeal—but the metal-and-rattan combo keeps the look casual and inviting.