Situated on the Pacific shoreline just a few minute’s walk (or bike ride) from the historic Santa Monica pier, Shutters on the Beach offers a breath of fresh sea air from LA’s see-and-be-seen scene. Linen, wicker, and toile de Jouy replace the city’s usual flashy neon and leather. (The leather in the hotel’s cozy lobby is more library than rock concert—warm and worn.) A color palette of soft blues, creams, and sand transports you to Cape Cod… without losing that classic California cool atmosphere.

This Nancy Meyers aesthetic and “make yourself at home” vibe is all very deliberate, and it’s one that designer Amy Kehoe, co-founder of interior design studio Nickey Kehoe, was eager to embrace when she was tasked with refurbishing Shutters’ lobby in anticipation of Santa Monica’s 150th birthday, which the property will be celebrating all of 2025 with a special cocktail menu that nods to each decade of the city’s history.

“Shutters on the Beach has always been a beloved, sun-washed meeting place by the ocean, and with that comes a responsibility. Our approach was never to reinvent, but to carefully evolve what people already loved,” says Kehoe. “We wanted the lobby, or as it’s called, the Living Room, to feel like the heart of a well-loved coastal home, one that greets you with warmth and familiarity the moment you arrive.”

The key to nailing this look without veering into kitsch, says Kehoe, is to establish a foundation with color and texture, then add in unique items that reflect your personal style. “At Shutters, we layered a fresh base palette of ivory and tan, brought in rich mahogany as a subtle nod to the East Coast, and then combined vintage finds with custom pieces to create a sense of something collected over time,” she says. “For those shopping for their own homes, I always recommend a similar approach: Start with a few classic, well-made anchor pieces, then mix in vintage finds or something handmade to give the room personality and depth.”

Ready to embrace your inner (chic) coastal grandma? Kehoe shares how you can achieve an airy, welcoming ambiance in your own kitchen, dining room, or sitting room.

Courtesy Shutters on the Beach

Go for glow

“Lighting is everything,” says Kehoe. To set the right mood in the Shutters Living Room, Keyhoe says she doubled the number of pendant lights in the room and introduced gilded sconces that give off a warm glow.

Do you love decorating with antiques or vintage finds? Maybe you’ve collected a few treasures over the years—or you’re just starting to appreciate the charm of secondhand style. Either way, there’s something special about the character and soul these pieces bring to a home. Below I’m sharing a list of 15 posts on The Inspired Room all about decorating with secondhand finds.

This is what we’re talking about this week in the HomeBody Gathering Place community!

My daughter Kylee and I shared a fun video “tour” of some of our favorite secondhand finds around our home—each one with a unique story to tell. From meaningful family pieces to charming flea market scores, these items add so much more than just style—they help make a house feel like a sanctuary.

We also created a vintage secondhand checklist you can download to guide your own treasure hunts! It’s a curated list of timeless pieces we believe are worth bringing into your home—not just for style, but for the story and soul they add. These are the kinds of items that help transform a house into a sanctuary, without adding clutter.

This checklist is just one of the many helpful resources you’ll find inside our HomeBody Gathering Place. If you’ve ever wished your home felt more like you—more peaceful, personal, and pulled together—we’re here to guide you. Through inspiration, tools, and community, you’ll learn to create a home that truly supports and reflects the life you want to live.

You can grab the checklist (and so much more!) when you join us. [Find all the membership details here.]

Below are 15 of my blog posts all about decorating over time with antiques and vintage finds!

Antique Hutch Decorating Inspiration

The Tale of My Dream Bed found on Facebook Marketplace (and a new light fixture!)

5 Ways We’ve Created a Bedroom Sanctuary + My Family Heirloom Chinoiserie Cabinet

Vintage Nightstands, Wicker Mirror + More Updates In Our Coastal Cottage Bedroom

My Vintage Blue and White Platters

Decorating with Fishing Baskets

A Vintage Washstand for a Table in Our Living Room

Our Vintage Swan + Latest Cottage Etsy Finds

My Spring Mantel Refresh + Secondhand Finds (brass pheasants)

My Vintage Staffordshire Dogs & Collections That Tell Your Story

Cottage Style Etsy Home Decor Finds (Antiques, Blue + White, Coastal!)

Collections that Add Soul to a Home

Collecting Copper

My White Painted Wood Bookcase: Before & After

Flea Market Find {Rattan Shelving}