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Coastal Colour Inspiration for South African Homes: A Cool, Calm, Coastal Palette for Summer 2025
South Africans have always had a powerful emotional connection to the coast. From the broad beaches of the Cape to the subtropical shoreline of KwaZulu-Natal, the coastline shapes our lifestyle, our architecture, and increasingly, our interior design choices.
Whether you live metres from the sea or hours inland, coastal-inspired interiors continue to dominate décor trends because they offer something we all crave: calm, clarity, freshness, and an effortless sense of escape.
This season, Paint Club and Plascon Paint Expert introduce an exclusive colour trio – True Ivory, Endless Sea, and Delft – designed to evoke the tranquillity of coastal living while maintaining the warmth and grounded character of the South African home. This exclusive coastal colour palette for South Africa is designed to reflect our natural light, local décor preferences, and the calming energy of our renowned coastlines.
As the exclusive custodians of the Paint Club Bespoke Colour Collection, Plascon Paint Expert stores offer DIYers, decorators, interior designers and homeowners carefully curated palettes created for real South African spaces, lighting conditions, and lifestyles. This article unpacks the coastal trio in depth, explores application ideas, offers styling guidance, and provides practical examples to help you bring the coast home – beautifully, confidently, and with expert support.
Why a Coastal Colour Palette Works So Well in South Africa
A palette that reflects our natural world
South Africa’s coastline stretches over 2 800 kilometres, meaning millions of South Africans spend summers with their feet in the sand, watching shifting ocean colours from dawn to dusk. Coastal palettes work so well here because:
- Our natural light is strong and broad-spectrum, meaning colours with clarity perform better than muted greys.
- Our homes blend indoor and outdoor living, with open-plan spaces that benefit from soothing, continuous wall colours.
- Coastal tones complement local materials – blonde timbers, rattan, woven cane, clay tiles, sandstone, and raw cement.
This trio was specifically developed for South African lighting conditions, ensuring they remain stable, balanced, and true to tone.
Meet the Palette: True Ivory, Endless Sea & Delft
True Ivory – the warm, balanced foundation
True Ivory lives up to its name. A warm, medium neutral, it is a true ivory without yellow or grey undertones. This makes it exceptionally versatile and forgiving – it remains warm and inviting without drifting into overly beige or cool territory.
Why True Ivory Works So Well
- Creates spaciousness without feeling cold
- Pairs naturally with wood, wicker, and stone
- Enhances natural sunlight, especially in north-facing rooms
- Helps balance stronger accent colours like Endless Sea & Delft
In interior design terms, True Ivory functions as the “sand underfoot” – grounding, dependable, and beautifully subtle.
Endless Sea – deep, luscious green with coastal depth
Inspired by the ocean at dusk, Endless Sea is a sophisticated green that brings richness and calm. It reads as a deep green with subtle blue influence, without becoming teal or forest green.
Why Endless Sea Elevates a Room
- Adds depth and intimacy without making spaces feel small
- Works exceptionally well on feature walls, built-ins, or cabinetry
- Combines beautifully with brass, matte black, and natural textures
- Brings a grounding effect — ideal for bedrooms, lounges, or studies
For decorators wanting a contemporary coastal look without resorting to predictable “beach house blue”, Endless Sea offers a refreshing, modern alternative rooted in South African design aesthetics.
Delft – confident, crisp accent blue
Delft draws its inspiration from classic Greek pottery and crisp Aegean blues. It is bold enough to make a statement yet refined enough to use in both modern and traditional settings.
Where Delft Shines
- Doors, trims, shutters
- Kitchen islands or bathroom vanities
- Shelving back panels for a pop of definition
- Decorative items such as vases, ceramics, side tables, or scatter cushions
This colour introduces clarity and contrast into the coastal palette, acting as the visual “anchor” that holds the story together.
How to Get the Look: The 60–30–10 Design Rule
One of the easiest ways to apply this palette in a balanced, designer-approved way is by using the 60–30–10 principle, a global interior design standard.
60% – True Ivory (Main Walls)
The bulk of your room should be True Ivory. This keeps the space open, warm, and breathable.
• Ideal for: main walls, open-plan living rooms, hallways, high-traffic areas.
• Works best in: homes with strong sunlight, indoor–outdoor flow, and prominent natural materials.
30% – Endless Sea (Secondary Elements)
Use this colour in meaningful, intentional areas to introduce depth and sophistication.
• Ideal for: a feature wall, built-in cabinetry, large décor pieces, media units.
• Works best in: bedrooms, lounges, studies, dining rooms.
10% – Delft (Accents)
A little goes a long way.
• Ideal for: trim, interior doors, occasional furniture, artwork, small statement décor.
• Works best where you need visual rhythm and definition.
When applied together, the result is a layered, soothing, contemporary coastal scheme that works in both modern townhouses and classic holiday homes.
Styling Inspiration: How to Complete the Look
Natural Textures That Pair Beautifully
- Jute or sisal rugs
- Light oak or ash timbers
- Cane, rattan, and woven grass
- Raw stone, ceramic, and clay décor
These materials echo South Africa’s natural environment and enhance the calmness of coastal palettes.
Décor Elements to Introduce
- Clear or sea-washed glass
- Linen and cotton fabrics
- Sculptural pottery in soft matte finishes
- Woven baskets and storage
These sensory layers give True Ivory space to breathe while allowing Endless Sea and Delft to punctuate the interior naturally.
Hardware & Finishes That Elevate the Palette
- Brass for warmth and luxury
- Matte black for modern definition
- Brushed nickel for subtle sophistication
These finishes pair exceptionally well with the richness of Endless Sea and the clarity of Delft.
Best Plascon Products for a Premium Coastal Finish
All three shades – True Ivory, Endless Sea, and Delft – can be tinted into all tintable Plascon broadwall coatings.
Recommended ranges for a premium coastal-inspired home:
For interiors:
- Plascon Double Velvet – ideal for living rooms, passages, high-traffic areas
- Plascon Easy Living Plush Matt – luxurious, modern matt finish ideal for bedrooms
- Plascon Kitchens & Bathrooms – for moisture-prone spaces
For woodwork, trims, & doors:
For exteriors:
- Plascon Wall & All – superior durability
- Plascon Micatex – textured protection for harsh coastal climates
Exclusive to Plascon Paint Expert Stores Nationwide
This palette forms part of the Paint Club Bespoke Colour Collection, a premium range developed specifically for Paint Expert stores and curated for South African homes.
When visiting a Plascon Paint Expert store, customers can expect:
- Expert colour guidance tailored to their space
- Access to a library of exclusive colour collections
- The ability to tint colours into any required Plascon product
- Premium Perfect Colour sample pots to test before committing
- Advice on product selection, finishes, and application techniques
Conclusion: Bring the Calm of the Coast into Your Home
Whether refreshing a seaside escape or transforming a city apartment, True Ivory, Endless Sea, and Delft offer a timeless, tranquil palette rooted in South African coastal beauty. Soft, elegant, and endlessly versatile, these colours help you create a home that feels serene, connected, and filled with natural warmth.
For homeowners seeking a timeless coastal colour palette in South Africa, True Ivory, Endless Sea, and Delft offer the perfect balance of warmth, depth, and coastal calm.
Cool. Calm. Coastal.
Now available exclusively at Plascon Paint Expert stores nationwide.
Find your nearest store at www.paintexpert.co.za.
FAQs
True Ivory is a warm, medium neutral without yellow or grey undertones, making it exceptionally balanced.
Endless Sea works beautifully in bedrooms, lounges, studies, and any room where you want depth and calm.
Yes – Delft is ideal for interior doors, trims, and cabinetry as a bold accent.
Yes. True Ivory opens up small rooms, while Endless Sea can make compact spaces feel intimate and luxurious when applied correctly.
This depends on the room. High-traffic areas perform best with washable products like Double Velvet, while Plush Matt offers What rooms are best suited to Endless Sea?a soft, refined finish for bedrooms.
Natural textures like timber, jute, linen, and cane enhance the calm, grounded feel of the palette.
No. They are exclusive to the Paint Club Bespoke Colour Collection and available only at Plascon Paint Expert stores.
Yes – Plascon Perfect Colour sample pots are available for most colours.
Absolutely. True Ivory provides timeless neutrality, while Endless Sea and Delft offer contemporary accents that suit various architectural styles.
