3 Essentials for Decorating Your Beach Home

Tricia Dabney of High Cotton Home & Design offers advice.

One of our expert designers and decorators on the Cinnamon Shore Design Team, Tricia grounds her work in the character and vintage flair. She shows three key ways to 

No. 1  Go Vintage.

When searching for unique coastal design elements, Tricia Dabney of High Cotton Home & Design turns to reclaimed vintage and architectural pieces. “I like to get key pieces that are one-of-a-kind, whether it’s a vintage surfboard, arched window frames and shutters, or old hardware and frames...lots of these things can be re-purposed and hung over windows and along the walls.” Tricia has actually designed quite a few of the homes at Cinnamon Shore, including Stargazer, Carry On, Blue Willow, and Serenity Found.

Her love for unique pieces is actually what got her started here. “I did a home for a friend where we used reclaimed lumber along the bunk room walls, as well as reclaimed lumber to cover a beam in a vaulted living room. I was bringing in materials people at Cinnamon Shore hadn’t used before.”

No. 2  Rely on the Warranty for Outdoor Furniture.

You're here to enjoy the coastal breeze, so as dress up your outdoor spaces, Tricia suggests choosing furniture with a lifetime warranty. “The coastal climate is harsh on pillows, so when designing the porch space, we aim for practicality and functionality. You don’t want families constantly having to replace their outdoor decor each year, so purchasing a lifetime warranty on porch furniture is a smart investment.” 

No. 3  Put Favorites At The Forefront.

Whether it's the favorite sectional loaded with coastal-theme pillow, a favorite, vintage armoire, or a bookcase loaded with your favorite beach reads. it's fun to design around a signature piece. In one kitchen at Cinnamon Shore, a vintage surfboard presides over the kitchen, adding coastal flair, while in the facing den, and colorful sign 

Creating Her Own Style

Tricia has roots in the farming community of Illinois, bringing her down-to-earth sensibilities to the “tattered and chic” interiors she creates with new and vintage pieces. With years in the window treatment industry as a sales rep and with her own window treatment design firm, she crossed over into full-fledge interior design just 11 years ago, and she’s found incredible success. Now known for her coastal and country home interiors and her destination-worthy furniture store, High Cotton in Austin, Texas, she’s designed more than 50 projects, including several at Cinnamon Shore. Her business caters to customers of all kinds—from those in need of a special piece to finish a room to those who want complete interiors project from start to finish and anywhere in between. Learn more at highcottonhomedesign.com and dabneydesignsbytricia.com.

Meet All Of Our Interior Designers &  Architects

Tricia Dabney is one of several designers working on projects at Cinnamon Shore South. Our newest flipbook profiles the pros we're proud to work with as Cinnamon Shore continues to grow. CLICK HERE.