White washed wood is a key element of the coastal style book
Faded Glamour by the Sea: Inside Pearl Lowe’s new interiors book
After the success of her first book, Faded Glamour: Inspirational interiors and beautiful homes, interior designer Pearl Lowe has released a follow up called Faded Glamour by the Sea.
Filled with styling tips on how to create your own chic seaside abode, the book also takes a look into the coastal homes of some of her super stylish friends, from the Malibu beachfront home of stylist Rachel Ashwell to the uber-cool waterfront sanctuary of supermodel Helena Christensen. It’s the perfect release for a time when nostalgia trends like Coastal Grandma and Nanna Normcore have been racking up views on TikTok.
Photo: Dave Watts
Musician-turned designer
Former singer and songwriter Pearl Lowe turned her creativity to interiors in 2001, after the birth of her four children, by launching a signature range of lace curtains and cushions. In 2005 she moved to Frome in Somerset and started designing bespoke handmade dresses and childrenswear using Liberty print fabrics. She furthered her love of interiors by designing the interiors for private clients, some of which are detailed in Faded Glamour by the Sea.
Photo: Dave Watts
Fulfilling a coastal dream
During lockdown, Pearl fulfilled her lifelong dream of living by the sea by buying a house in East Sussex with her musician husband Danny Goffey. It was there the idea of a new coastal style book was born. The house itself was built in the 1940s for an artist with surrounding cabins, which Pearl has also restored. The artist’s shell sculptures can still be seen dotted around the garden.
Photo: Dave Watts
Creating Faded Glamour by the Sea
Filled with beautiful photography of the renovation of her own coastal home, in Faded Glamour by the Sea, Pearl also visits the seaside abodes of some of her stylish friends, to listen to their stories and see how they swapped their lives to live by the sea and also found solace by the water. From an award-winning music director, who set up a home (and a bar) on the coast to an artist who loves beach huts, to a writer who has swapped London life for a clifftop house.
Photo: Dave Watts
Inside the coastal homes of famous friends
Full of inspiration, Pearl also lifts the curtain on some of her famous friends’ homes in her coastal style book, Faded Glamour by the Sea. You’ll get to see the ‘hippy-chic’ home of supermodel Helena Chistensen, who has bought a beautiful 1929 built home near a tiny village on the coast, and get a tour of stylist Rachel Ashwell’s Malibu beachfront pad. There’s also an insight into the Libertines’ Carl Barât and Pete Doherty’s unique hotel, which has a ‘punk noir Victorian vibe’.
Photo: Dave Watts
Faded Glamour by the Sea: Get the look
1. Soft velvet
There’s nothing that says luxury more than sumptuous fabrics and cotton, linen and velvet do just that. For a relaxed look plump for a delicate shade, like a soft pink or a subtle mustard, which even when worn or sun bleached will add to the feel of faded glamour. Try Sweetpea & Willow’s rose pink Matteo quilt its neat hand-stitching and tassels will look chic whether thrown over the end of a bed or a sofa.
Matteo quilt in rose from Sweetpea & Willow from £250
2. A deep tub for Faded Glamour by the Sea
For a look straight out of Faded Glamour by the Sea, a freestanding bath is a must. This statement double-ended Richmond Freestanding bath by Victoria + Albert is Art Deco inspired and is made from finely ground volcanic limestone mixed with resin. Bonus coastal points if your tub looks out to sea.
Richmond freestanding bath by Victoria + Albert from £1483
3. Fringed fancies
Fringing spells glamour and these Divine Savages lampshades fit the bill perfectly. They’re inspired by a heritage frame and clad in a soft coral plush velvet. Made in the British countryside by artisans, this piece features a grey crowned crane amongst lush palm trees to add to the coastal vibe.
Crane Fonda ‘Coral’ Fringed Bette Lampshade from Divine Savages from £325