There is nothing quite like an ocean view. The blue of sea and sky, the white crests of waves – it’s captivating, so there is a reason some homes are built entirely with that kind of panorama in mind. These homes from the ELLE Decoration archive offer inspiration on how to make the very most of a coastal vista, from terraces outlooking the water to rooms that carefully frame nature.
The concrete-framed coastline
Designed by Belgian architect Sébastien Caporusso, this clifftop house offers uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean Sea framed by treetops and rugged cliffs. With each room blessed by vast windows on the landscape, no matter what space you occupy you will enjoy breathtaking views. A concrete interior mellowed with furniture made with natural and tactile materials like wood, leather and stone is the ideal complement to the raw Valencian coastline.
A house designed for worshipping sun and sea
This sunny slice of Puglia houses a unique villa that carefully balances ancient and modern design to capture the beauty of Italy. Every room offers a sea view, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor to create an immersive retreat. Decorated with local pieces, the villa has a lot to offer, from relaxing in a sunbed to diving into the black-tiled pool that stands out against the white of the villa’s walls.
Sea views with added colour
A historic home on the island of Kimolos, this property celebrates both Greek heritage and modern design. Although the town strictly states that the exterior of all houses should be white and blue, this place’s interior stands out with bold shades of deep red, yellow and pastel pink. The unique roof terrace offers breathtaking costal views surrounded by party lights and colourful furniture to enjoy a Greek summer.
Architecture with an uninterrupted view
Inspired by Zaha Hadid, MB Architects created this breathtaking home in Cape Town that makes a statement with an angular concrete entrance framing the beach view. The concrete building stands out against the rocky coastline and natural views of Cape Town’s Sandy Bay. From glass wall to vast windows, terraces and pools, this was a design intended to frame views in ways that take the breath away.
Is simplicity the key to coastal cool?
Home to Italian designer Paola Navone, this summer refuge on the Greek island of Serifos is the perfect summerhouse for relaxing and enjoying the quiet simplicity of island life. The rugged stone property is simple yet stunning in design with white interiors decorated with painted rugs and prototypes of furniture that Paola designed herself. With a series of secluded open terraces, it’s a place to surrender to total physical and mental relaxation.
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In this home the scenery is the main event
This much-loved landmark on the Cornish coastline sits high on an imposing granite rock that is surrounded by water until low tide, when the silvery sands below are exposed. Connected to the mainland via a suspension bridge, the home was recently renovated by architect Will Gamble, who increased the house’s connection to its coastal views.
The brief was to bring the sea into the design
With thick concrete walls that absorb the morning heat and release it at night, this building is made for the high temperatures of mediterranean coastal living. Designed by A31 Architecture, the property itself was inspired by the Cycladic sculptural tradition, with telescopic-like forms that protrude like lenses, enhancing the views.
Coastal wonder inspired by the designs of Gio Ponti
With an extraordinary location like the Amalfi Coast, it is no surprise that designer Artigiani Anonimi chose to make those magnificent surroundings integral to his design for this home. The villa is situated in a lush botanical garden near the Parco Dei Principi hotel, which Ponti famously packed with blue and white tiles that mirror the clear skies and dazzling water outside – an approach that inspired the decoration here in homage to both a design icon and an undeniably special place.
The beachfront artist’s villa
Sitting on California’s rugged coastline, this contemporary seafront villa connects dramatic architecture, contemporary design and the ocean. The home pairs sharp geometry with soft curves and natural materials to create a sense of calm sophistication. Expansive windows draw in light and uninterrupted views of the ocean, while walnut floors and white interiors echo the tones of nearby redwood forests. A sculptural spiral staircase anchors the open-plan design, giving the house an airy and fluid atmosphere that captures the relaxed beauty of coastal living.
Nautical touches are far from cliché in this seafront home
Architect Yvette van Zyl’s site-sensitive approach for her new coastal home is key to is aesthetic success of the property, which sits on South Africa’s Mossel Bay. Porthole windows and splashes of blue nod to a nautical theme, but in a lightly playful way. A long terrace stretches one whole side of the home – creating many spots to relax and watch the boats bobbing along on the waves.
