Yahoo HOme & Garden Feature - Rochelle Grenier - Sought Interiors
YAHOO HOME & GARDEN
Rustic nautical decor is trending thanks to Apple TV's 'Widow's Bay' — here's how to get the look without going overboard
You don’t have to go full "salty sea dog" to embrace an ocean-inspired aesthetic — just take a few pointers from summer's biggest television smash (and our own experts).
The Widow's Bay aesthetic, at a glance:
That lived-in seaside setting has inspired viewers to bring a little rustic nautical style home. As a coastal New Englander who has also worked in film production design, I feel uniquely qualified to explain how to embrace the look without going, well, overboard. I also consulted Rochelle Grenier of Sought Interiors, a Massachusetts-based designer known for authentic, understated coastal spaces. She shared her best tips for recreating the seafaring aesthetic Widow's Bay gets so right, from weathered textures and ocean-inspired colors to accents that evoke the shore without turning your living room into a seafood restaurant.
The Widow's Bay aesthetic, at a glance:
That lived-in seaside setting has inspired viewers to bring a little rustic nautical style home. As a coastal New Englander who has also worked in film production design, I feel uniquely qualified to explain how to embrace the look without going, well, overboard. I also consulted Rochelle Grenier of Sought Interiors, a Massachusetts-based designer known for authentic, understated coastal spaces. She shared her best tips for recreating the seafaring aesthetic Widow's Bay gets so right, from weathered textures and ocean-inspired colors to accents that evoke the shore without turning your living room into a seafood restaurant.
Brass accents: Add instant warmth
My grandpa, a lifelong boater and fisherman, had a brass plaque over the master bedroom door reading "Captain's Quarters," a whimsical nod to his love of the ocean (and his beloved Grady-White, the 'Never Enuf'). So when I think nautical decor, I always think brass. Grenier agrees — with some caveats. "Brass is a wonderful way to introduce warmth and a subtle maritime reference, but I prefer to use it sparingly and let the finish develop a little character," she says. "I like incorporating it through smaller pieces such as candlesticks, trays, picture frames, cabinet hardware, vintage plaques or sculptural objects." To her, the key is balance: Pairing brass with other nautical-feeling (but not literal) textures, such as weathered wood or woven fibers feels more grounded than going full all brass everywhere. "A few well-placed brass details can add history, patina and a sense of coastal heritage without making the room feel like over the top."
Nautical artwork: Coastal, not kitschy
Nothing evokes the sea quite like, well, the sea — but don't feel like you need a painting of a schooner on every single wall. "I always recommend thinking less about creating a theme and more about creating a sense of place," notes Grenier. "A vintage seascape, harbor painting, coastal photograph or old nautical chart can feel incredibly sophisticated when it is treated as a meaningful piece of art rather than simply 'coastal décor.'"
One expert tip for incorporating nautical art? "Start with one strong piece and let it anchor a space. Hang a larger seascape above a console, fireplace, or sofa; place a smaller coastal painting on a bookshelf or layered over a mantel; or create a gallery wall that mixes maritime imagery with landscapes, abstracts and personal photography. Leaning smaller framed pieces on shelves or cabinetry can also make the artwork feel more relaxed and collected." Grenier also says that the best nautical art feels personal, not kitschy, evoking the feeling of being near the water without always being literal.
Nautical lighting: For salt-air style
Don't worry about your wallet — Grenier says that nautical-style lighting doesn't necessarily have to be expensive to make an impact. "Lantern-inspired silhouettes, aged brass, blackened metal, ribbed or seeded glass and simple utilitarian sconces can all bring in that coastal character." One easy way to elevate budget-friendly lighting? "Give them the right backdrop," she advises. "Even a modest fixture can look much more considered when it is layered against painted paneling or paired with natural wood and textured finishes and wall coverings."
Rope and woven decor: Add beachy texture
Another ever-present texture in the nautical world is rope and other woven materials. Rope feels "most sophisticated when used sparingly and balanced with more refined materials," and Grenier likes to incorporate the element through pieces like mirror frames, drawer pulls and woven baskets. She also cautions that the key is restraint: "A few rope elements can add warmth, texture, and a subtle maritime reference, but too much can quickly make a space feel overly themed. Pairing it with linen, weathered wood, natural stone and simple millwork keeps the look layered, intentional, and elevated."
Nautical artwork: Coastal, not kitschy
Nothing evokes the sea quite like, well, the sea — but don't feel like you need a painting of a schooner on every single wall. "I always recommend thinking less about creating a theme and more about creating a sense of place," notes Grenier. "A vintage seascape, harbor painting, coastal photograph or old nautical chart can feel incredibly sophisticated when it is treated as a meaningful piece of art rather than simply 'coastal décor.'"
On that note, other woven materials can also evoke a nautical feel without going to the extreme. "Woven materials like rattan, cane, jute, and seagrass introduce that relaxed, tactile quality associated with coastal living… Textiles are another great category to explore. Linen, wool, ticking stripes, subtle plaids and washed cottons can bring in a nautical sensibility without feeling themed."
Natural textures and coastal colors: A subtle seaside vibe
Speaking of textures, there are plenty of other materials that achieve a nautical vibe while still staying 'rustic chic'. "The key to incorporating rustic nautical décor without going overboard is to think in terms of material, texture, and palette rather than obvious nautical symbols," notes Grenier. "Leather, canvas, ticking stripes, darker woods such as mahogany, teak or walnut — [those] details create the coastal feeling in a much more subtle and lasting way."
Color is also a fabulous way to incorporate oceanic themes in an understated way. "Instead of relying solely on navy and white, look to the landscape itself: sea-glass greens, moody ocean blues, sandy neutrals, driftwood grays and soft whites… The palette can still pull from the coast, but I would keep it lighter and more muted — [this] can create a space that feels warm, timeless and effortlessly lived-in."
At the end of the day, what makes the set design of Widow's Bay so appealing to home decorators? According to Grenier, it's all about the authenticity — without overdoing it. "I found the styling [in Widow's Bay] to feel authentic precisely because it never tries too hard to be 'coastal,'" she observes. "I think people are drawn to rustic nautical decor because it feels personal, grounded and connected to both place and heritage. There is a sense of craftsmanship and longevity to the aesthetic that feels especially refreshing in contrast to more disposable, trend-driven interiors."
Now, if you'll excuse me — I'll be daydreaming about taking a trip to "the next Martha's Vineyard," which is definitely not cursed.
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