Perhaps it's the mystery of the sea that captures the imagination. And how can we not be drawn in by the beauty of the color alone, starting with the glorious blues, from inky indigo to aquamarine? Whether it's the Caribbean or the Aegean, the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, Lake Michigan or Lake Como, the water -- and the life within -- most definitely informs the interiors of the homes near them.

But you don't have to live on the water to reap the benefits of the design. Especially this year.

Coastal decor, like Southwest and other region-specific styles, always has an audience. But page through summer catalogs and you can't help but notice enchanting images of sea critters on pillows, plates, napkins, fabrics and even wallcovering that may be equally tempting to the landlocked.

Even before we saw the glorious under-the-sea themed fabrics in Paris showrooms in January, we knew this was more than a passing fancy when we spotted a particular shop window in the Place du Faubourg Saint Honore. It was filled with an entire tableau of sea creatures: fish, anemones, coral -- all crafted from passementerie and elegant upholstery and drapery trims.

"We all are drawn to the sea," says Chris Sotz, a home decor buyer at Anthropologie. "The ocean provides inherent muses and models. The fantasy about the sea translates to painting, watercolors."

Italian designer Paola Navone says that her Fish collection of tableware for Crate and Barrel was "happily inspired by the Mediterranean sea ... the fish and all their beauty, curious shapes and personalities."

For the Anthropologie team, it was a concept trip to Sardinia that generated a sea of ideas. Sardines and octopi especially struck a chord because artists had fun graphically laying them up end to end or superimposing images on disparate prints such as florals.

Decorative artists long have been fascinated with aquatic life. Captivating naturalist vintage hand-colored lithographs from the 18th and 19th centuries depicting fish, coral, anemones, urchins and nautilus are popular collectibles, beautifully displayed in traditional or modern decor. So are typical Japanese woodblock prints of carp.

The freshest images today also transition well even as they shine in coastal style, which has been morphing to less cluttered, more streamlined looks that are more sophisticated than kitschy, and quite evocative graphically. This is where under-the-sea themes are particularly sparkling, with amazing graphics, digital technology paving the way after the initial artwork is executed. If you've never imagined an octopus as a focal point (other than on a plate doused with lemon and olive oil on a beach in Santorini), there are plenty of them on pillows and dinnerware this year -- and some are so stylized that you get lost in the shapes.

Playful, fanciful images are like screen grabs from "The Little Mermaid" -- except that the colors, while vivid, are dialed down a bit to blend. And not all of the sea motifs are in Technicolor, either. Shades of gray or sand on white as in a series of pillows at West Elm grab attention in a stunning modern setting with a blue-painted barn-planking background and modern gray sectional. One other interesting note: the pillows are screenprinted on raw silk and adorned with beads and sequins, a wonderful study in contrasts that lends edginess.

So what elements can be woven into sea themes?

Sea creatures, of course. Coral has become iconic, the equivalent of the nautical anchor emblem. We love the patterning of its intricate branching and variety in type (wrinkled brains, cabbages, antlers and polyps), as well as color (not just red, but brilliant blues, lavender, yellow and black). There are lacey as well as very bold interpretations.

Natural materials, such as shells, mother of pearl and woven sea grass, are organic elements that bridge coastal and other styles of decor.

Shapes also play a role. For example, naturally curvy sea horses can be a prime design element. A simple metal tub on stand from Frontgate is distinguished by sea horses that form its handles; it's constructed of powder-coated aluminum with a painted, antiqued white finish. It's the kind of versatile piece that can be filled with ice for beverages on the deck or with greenery or ornaments for a holiday centerpiece. Another curvy sea horse with scrolled tail is flattened out, with hooks added for use as a caddy for beach towels or as a drying rack for swimsuits.

All shades of blue also are essential ingredients, which is one reason for the appeal of sea or beach glass as an accessory. The smooth, weathered shards in shades of blue and green are especially beautiful in a clear vessel. (One source: Bed, Bath & Beyond, where a 3-pound bag sells for $8.99; www.bedbathandbeyond.com)

Appliques, embroidery or beading in pillows or table runners introduce texture, which can be smooth as well, with mother of pearl or other shell motifs used on placemats or trims or as inlays in furniture. Rougher surfaces are suggested by synthetic corals, as in a column lamp from The Natural Light, with its intriguing arrangement of stacked barnacles.

For summer entertaining outdoors, the aquatic designs seem to work especially well. But they can be effortlessly integrated into existing decor:

-- Pillows are an easy way to introduce sea critters, which can be front and center on neutral ground or part of an overall pattern. Pillows on a sofa designed by Barclay Butera for Highland House, for example, feature a fish reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints in a blue-on-white pattern that doesn't jump out. Even subtler is a print made up of sea anemones that you really can't make out unless you look closely.

-- Neutral additions can be furnishings such as tables made out of driftwood, whose natural shapes are incorporated into the design. Or go bold with a single chair that looks like it's made out of real coral. The design by Marjorie Skouras for Currey & Co. is crafted from powder-coated aluminum and can be used indoors or out on the deck.

-- A piece of art can create a dramatic focal point. A supersized framed print of blue coral from Williams-Sonoma Home grounds a living space and echoes a blue and white palette punched up with coral accents. The modern water color-y feel lends modernity as well as softness. Smaller prints of coral can be grouped together. And you might consider a feature wall with wallcovering in a sea theme: fish or coral. Anthropologie and Sanderson are among possible sources.

-- Look to lighting as a possible option. At Currey & Co., there are chandeliers with real shells. A lovely, white lamp with white shade at Pottery Barn has a columnar base that is studded with flowers crafted from shells.

-- Dinnerware and serveware are rich in marine themes, and you'll find the designs on ceramic, metal and melamine. -- Coral reefs and sea life are popular themes on bedding. Choose from duvet covers and shams with solid sheets or simply accent with pillows, which can be quite dramatic with red coral branches on all white.

-- Coral branching lends itself well to tree-like designs that can be utilitarian, say for jewelry, such as one white enamel-coated metal model on a marble stand at West Elm.

-- Faux white shells decoratively placed on a grapevine wreath with a burlap ribbon from Pottery Barn (or do it yourself with real souvenir shells) create a handsome decorative accent, which can be used year-round, adding a bit of coastal cheer during the holidays. Besides, a little year-round beachy style is relaxed, feel-good decor.

"Think about the ease with being at the beach and the calm when you're near water," says Sotz. "Many of us have memories of being by the sea as a child. This is a nice way to bring that feeling home."

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Frontgate, 888-263-9850, www.frontgate.com

-- Garnet Hill, 800-870-3513, www.garnethill.com

-- Highland House, 336-889-5600, www.highlandhousefurniture.com

-- Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, www.potterybarn.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

-- Williams-Sonoma Home, 877-812-6235, www.williams-sonoma.com

SIDEBAR A

SEA LIFE AT THE TABLE

From playful to elegant, under-the-sea themes are riding a wave of popularity indoors and out. From fun and beautifully evocative images on plates -- such as sardines swimming alone or in schools, a striking vertical banding, or octopi showing off their tentacles and stretching their bodies over platters or the sides of bowls -- the selection may have you humming the contagious, island-y tune.

SIDEBAR B

A WATER LIFESTYLE

Accessories can introduce a bit of seaside flavor to every room of the house. From patterned pillows and throws to lamps and planters, the selection of aquatic life is as engaging, colorful and whimsical as you like. There are so many options you can easily jump in -- even if you don't live near the water.

(For editorial questions, please contact Universal Uclick at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

For minimalists, even a whisper of decoration is like a flaw on an otherwise perfect diamond. But one reason that a more modern aesthetic currently is appealing to a broader segment of consumers is because it's showing a softer side. That may translate to a loosening of form or color -- both unabashed and subtle -- where something more neutral is expected.

And with a less rigid interpretation also comes -- wait for it -- a bit of well-chosen embellishment.

Even when the dress-up is low-key, it can be so dramatic. Woven fabric trims are popular as borders on everything from drapery to chair skirts. But in Los Angeles-based designer Mary McDonald's new collection for Guy Chaddock Furniture, the deft placement of parallel bands of Greek key tape, from sofa back continuing through to seat, create just enough striping on the solid-colored gray upholstery to make a wow statement.

One reason that minimalism in its purist form is unsettling to some is because it's too stark. Practitioners such as the Italian-born, London-based architect Claudio Silvestrin, who believes that the best faucets are invisible, gets that minimalism is not in fashion. "What dominates is decorative-ism," he told Elle Decor. Still, he prefers "warm minimalism," using natural materials, to the "ice cold" interpretation that has been trendy.

In the June issue of House Beautiful, Editor-in-Chief Newell Turner notes: "What's modern now is not all-white, pristine, uncomfortable or 'less is more' -- especially not all at once. Modern is a highly personal expression of style that draws on the rich history of design and the treasures of cultures from around the world, even while utilizing the new technologies that make life both better and more beautiful. It's original and fresh in its combinations, and it's always filled with life and the joy of living."

Curiously, the most intriguing introductions at recent furnishings shows are those that take chances with convention: more streamlined forms somehow dressed so they don't feel self-consciously naked; a modicum of trim on upholstery fabric, even furniture; a little bit of bling, sheen in weaves or fabrics like glazed metallic linen; texture, such as hammering or roughed-up surfaces; dressmaker details such as pleating and channeling -- even on leather (leather with plenty of options beyond plain, solid colors, including croc, ostrich and shagreen); and fabric-like treatments such as draping are extending to other materials from resin to glass.

At the same time, more hard-core traditional is sporting an edgier look.

Especially powerful is the marriage of opposites. Sometimes it's well-planned; other times it's totally serendipitous. A French-style fauteuil from Roche Bobois, for example, takes an unconventional turn with its upholstery. A jaunty marine stripe (in black, red or blue and white) delivers some attitude, but the overprinting of a baroquey cherubic image down its center, like a fashion T-shirt reference, takes it to another level. And the featured Botticelli-like figure is outfitted in a striped bathing suit, another surprise, in this fabric from fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

Sculptor and collage artist Phillip Estlund, who works both in Florida and New York, drew inspiration for his tweak of iconic seating from a simple, random placement. He was organizing and laying out cutout images of flowers when he began placing some on the seat of his Charles Eames molded fiberglass chair. "The otherwise stark surface became immediately activated in a way that I hadn't considered, and after arranging and adhering the flowers to the seat, the result was the Bloom chair," says Estlund. It's the first in his Genus series for Grey Area (www.thegreyarea.com). The flowers are hand-decoupaged onto the Herman Miller-produced chairs.

For the most part, the kinds of details that are distinguishing new furniture design are not really novel -- it's just the way they are used that shakes things up.

-- Pleating and draping. A fashion reference (think pleated skirts or bodices of a gown) or the kind of folds created in drapery design, the crossover to upholstery isn't as much of a stretch on skirts of sofas. But trompe l'oeil draping or real folds on a wicker console by Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair really pushes the envelope.

-- Dressmaker details. Some are signature characteristic of clothing; others are drawn from handbags and shoes. There's channeling and tucking, a kind of sewing that creates parallel folds of fabric, which sometimes is seen on bedding and also has shown up on sofa skirts; "trapunto," a stitchery technique that Himes Gomez employed on the arm of a leather sofa. British designer Bethan Gray used the kind of stitchery, perforations and serrations that are signature on brogue shoes for the apron of a table.

-- Jewelry-like hardware. More manufacturers are paying attention to this simple dress-up. And, of course, changing out hardware is an easy re-fresh on existing furniture or cabinetry.

-- Nature as inspiration for form and pattern. From the geode-inspired women's collection of Phillip Lim, the mineral structure itself has showed up in naturally jagged-edge agate light sconces as well as in printed fabrics and area rugs with a similar swirly vibe.

-- Cladding. Again, there's nothing new about this, as it's the equivalent of using veneers as surfacing materials. But clever takes and applications have created a buzz. Chests cloaked with grass-cloth wallcovering or fabric have been trending in Europe. For Wesley Hall (www.wesleyhall.com) at the spring High Point furniture market there were trunks and parsons desks covered in plaid fabric. Eglomise -- reverse-painted glass -- is becoming a decorative tour de force again; perhaps most arresting are more abstract mottled patterns, especially with sparkling flecks. Decoupage, applique, flocking and gold leaf command attention. Skins -- crocodile, shagreen, ostrich and suede -- are covering entire pieces of furniture, such as bureaus and desks. Decorative molding also is applied to create fancy patterns like Moroccan tracery on simple frames. Figured and/or stained veneers are employed to create distinctive patterns, such a herringbone, on the face of furniture. Even shells, long a crafty solution to designing with beachcombing souvenirs, are assuming a more modern look as insets on tabletops or door fronts.

To many, the idea of details is perhaps more palatable than embellishment, which seems almost colored to suggest excess. But even Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's furniture sometimes sported dressmaker "embellishments" like channeling and button tufting.

Then again, wasn't it Mies himself who said: "God is in the details"?

Sources

-- Bernhardt, 866-527-9099, www.bernhardt.com

-- Bethan Gray, (email) info@bethangray.com, www.bethangray.com

-- Coleccion Alexandra, (email) mail@coleccionalexandra.com, www.coleccionalexandra.com

-- Phillip Estlund, 561-670-4693, www.phillipestlund.com

-- Fortuny, 212-753-7153, www.fortuny.com

-- Guy Chaddock Furniture, 855-535-6992, www.chaddockhome.com

-- Hickory Chair, 800-349-4579, www.hickorychair.com

-- Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture, 252-446-3266, www.jonathancharles.com

-- Ligne Roset, 212-375-1036, www.ligne-roset-usa.com

-- Roche Bobois, 212-889-0700, www.roche-bobois.com

-- Thomas & Gray, 336-859-2155, www.thomasandgray.com

-- Thomas & Vines Ltd., (email) orders@flocking.co.uk, www.flocking.co.uk

SIDEBAR

A FLAIR FOR LIGHTING

Shapes and materials often dictate the style of lighting. The sleek, clean lines are obviously modern, but mixing up materials in unexpected ways can turn the design around. And even lamps more traditionally based can take on a whole new flavor in surprising finishes such as flocking on chandeliers -- especially in neon brights. And just imagine a piece like that in a starkly minimal interior. Sure to make purists' heads spin.

(For editorial questions, please contact Universal Uclick at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

When it comes to kitchen and bath design, generation gaps seem narrower than ever.

That's because modern notes are sounding -- mirroring trends in home furnishings -- with simpler cabinet fronts, minimal hardware and clean, sleek lines in appliances and faucets. Modern is the fastest-growing category, according to a survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

"We see kitchen design trending more contemporary this year," says John Petrie, a certified master kitchen and bath designer (CMKBD) of Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and president of the NKBA. That means "clean, simple lines, less clutter and little ornamentation."

Petrie also suggests that spa baths and Zen-like retreats, which are probably at the top of remodeling wish lists, are "driving a more contemporary aesthetic."

And technology is being embraced by all, with more efficient products that are smarter, faster and more stylish.

Connectivity, particularly, struck a chord at the February Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas. That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that the latest data on the Internet of Everything (IoE) points to a growth from 10 billion to 30 billion devices in 2020, according to Allied Business Intelligence Inc. That means more network connectivity for everyday objects, allowing them to send and receive data.

How does that affect your roast, you might ask. One buzz-worthy introduction from Dacor is its first Droid-controlled wall oven, with a generous 4.7-cubic-foot capacity and Wi-Fi connectivity that will text you when dinner's ready.

Already on the market is a refrigerator from LG (Smart ThinQ) that is equipped with an LCD screen that tells you what's inside, which food about to expire and even ingredients you need to buy -- all accessible through a smartphone app.

Other appliance-smart features have to do with function. For wine enthusiasts, Dacor's new built-in Discovery WineStation dispenses and preserves wines, keeping contents "as the vintner intended" for up to 60 days.

A high level of sophistication, especially with multiple functions, is further distinguishing the more commercial-style ranges. Viking's impressive Turbo oven is speedy and versatile: It roasts, broils, toasts, dehydrates and turns out fab pizza in minutes -- plus it has a microwave mode. A whole chicken can be roasted in 14 minutes; 48 minutes for a 14-pound turkey.

Healthy eating also is feeding continued interest in steam and convention functions, and Thermador's 48-inch Pro Grand Steam range offers a combined steam and convection oven, in addition to a large-capacity convection oven, six burner gas cooktop (with one high-power 22,000 BTU burner) and electric grill/griddle, as well as a warming drawer.

In addition to the way things cook, appliance manufacturers also are looking at accessibility -- both for its convenience and for universal design. So one of the new Viking wall ovens actually borrows from the concept of the popular French door-style refrigerators. The way its two-door oven operates is with a single touch, which opens both sides. It's not only a feature that speaks to an aging population or the vertically challenged, it's one that appeals to anyone handling a casserole.

Space-saving and organizational efficiency is one more hot button for manufacturers. Microwave drawers such as Thermador's flush mount MicroDrawer are offering new flexibility and function (1.2 cubic feet and 10 cooking modes) for standard-depth cabinets. A 24-inch European-style all-freezer or all-fridge from Liebherr is three inches slimmer than Sub-Zero's slimmest.

And Frigidaire's new freezer is a chameleon: It converts to a refrigerator at the flip of a switch. A company spokesman said the idea is for an extra appliance to blend in (it was shown in a laundry room, in a steely gray painted finish to match a washer and dryer).

According to an NKBA survey of kitchen designers, the features most in demand are: induction cooktops, steam ovens, French door refrigerators; bottom-freezer refrigerators; touch-activated faucets; electronic (no-touch faucets) and LED lighting.

Furniture-style cabinets still are dominating kitchen design, and along with the trend for cleaner lines, there is less of an interest in highly ornamented Tuscan and Provincial looks as well as distressed finishes.

That said, showing off grain is riding a new wave of popularity -- in traditional and modern styles. And if there is a color story in cabinetry designs, it's gray -- both in kitchens and baths. It ranges from richer brown-based cappuccino to almost blue-gray, in matte finishes in stains and paints, as well as high gloss. Going-with-the-grain looks range from quarter-sawn oak to ash to walnut. Some reclaimed looks were described by one company as a "Restoration Hardware style."

So the espresso hues that once captivated have all but disappeared -- from the near black, with richer browns retreating from oranges and red tones, sometimes to greener bases taking their place, according to a spokesman from KraftMaid. This actually parallels what's happening in interior design, except for gilt and silver finishes which are unlikely to be translated to the cucina.

Shiny finishes have opened the door to high-style European looks. Elmwood Cabinetry, a Canadian-based company, introduced furniture-like resin panels with 3-D effects, such as foil metallic substrates that appear to be backlit. Other looks include wavy, stripy veneers for both counters and cabinets, some with a hint of metallic sparkle, all mirroring trends at Maison & Objet in Paris.

Horizontal striping also is trending in cabinetry, again -- a look that's not uncommon in Europe, as evidenced in Poggenpohl collections in walnut and ash. In addition, plank looks, riffing on those in flooring, as well as bead board turned on its side are fresh ideas.

What's especially apparent is a fresh kind of eclecticism where weathered plank floors, linen-y upholstery, minimal cabinetry and crystal chandeliers seamlessly cohabit.

Cabinet interiors are equally important, again most notably with soft, close mechanisms that are practically a standard option and pull-down options as well as cubby drawer dividers, which organize everything from spices to spatulas.

Customization of cabinetry punctuates the trend to creating spa-like bathrooms, which, like kitchens, also are becoming more high-tech. Besides therapeutic applications, such as aromatherapy and hyrdrotherapy, which have been ramping up in recent years, other digital technologies include integration of music into the bath.

Nearly half of the adult population in the United States own a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center, and users cop to taking them everywhere -- according to a recent survey, 75 percent use smartphones in the bathroom.

"Smartphones are transforming the way people access music," says Leslie Bronson, product manager for faucets at Kohler Co. "Half of all smartphone users stream music directly from their devices." Kohler's Moxie showerhead, syncs with any Bluetooth-enabled device (up to 32 feet away), smartphone and MP3 player, and streams music into the shower. The cool, acoustic wireless speaker actually pops in and out so you can charge it and use it anywhere in the house or take it to the beach.

Besides hands-free faucets, there are digital showers with wireless technology to control water temperature. Delta Temp2O features a digital temperature display with LED color indicators to signal different water temperature ranges.

Brizo now has flush-mounted body sprays called HydraChoice whose heads extend with water pressure, can be adjusted 50 degrees in any direction and aimed where you want the stream. Plus there are four choices of interchangeable sprays for customization. Select heads feature H2O Kinetic technology to provide the feeling of a warmer, more drenching shower that actually uses less water.

And Kohler's fanciest toilet, the Numi, not only is Bluetooth enabled (either by storing MP3 files or through a plug-in device). Its cover and seat have motion sensors, an integrated bidet and air dryer, deodorizer, heated seat, foot warmer and illuminated panels.

Now that's pampering that appeals to a very wide demographic across generations.

Sources

-- Ann Sacks, 1-800-278-8453, www.annsacks.com

-- Atlas Homewares, 800-799-6755, www.atlashomewares.com

-- Blanco, 888-668-6201, www.blancoamerica.com

-- BlueStar, 610-376-7479, www.bluestarcooking.com

-- Brizo, 877-345-2749, www.brizo.com

-- Dacor, 800-793-0093, www.dacor.com

-- Delta, 800-345-3358, www.deltafaucet.com

-- Elmwood Cabinetry, 905-688-5205, www.elmwoodkitchens.com

-- Fairmont Designs, 714-670-1171, www.fairmontdesigns.com

-- Frigidaire, 800-374-4432, www.frigidaire.com

-- Kohler, 800-456-4537, www.kohler.com

-- Liebherr, 866-543-2437, www.liebherr-us.com

-- Poggenpohl U.S. Inc., 312-755-9023, www.poggenpohl.com

-- Polycor Inc., 418-692-4695, www.polycor.com

-- Thermador, 800-735-4328, www.thermador.com

-- Top Knobs Hardware, 800-530-8245, www.topknobshardware.net

-- Viking, 888-845-4641, www.vikingrange.com

SIDEBAR A

A QUICK HARDWARE SWAP CAN PROVIDE A FRESH LOOK

Even if you're not totally remodeling your kitchen, changing hardware is a quick way to add personality, color, sparkle and texture. Some options echo current trends in fashion, such as animal prints or quilting, which (with some high-end brands like Chanel) never goes out of style. Others are even eco-friendly, like the Polycor handles made from a mix of raw materials that include recycled glass.

SIDEBAR B

COLOR COMES HOME

Even though neutrals, particularly shades of gray, from dove to milky cappuccino to taupes and blue-grays are huge, that doesn't mean color is absent. That's especially true in Europe, where design is a bit bolder. So there you're as likely to see an orange range as a Ferrari red cabinet. But Radiant Orchid, this year's Pantone Color of the Year, turned up not in Milan at Eurocucina, but at the Architectural Digest Show in New York. Quite the fashion plate.

(For editorial questions, please contact Universal Uclick at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)