i suppose if i have beach retreats on my mind, it’s because i’m just back from my niece’s wonderfully romantic wedding in cabo san lucas, mexico at the cape hotel, which is a beautifully modern and very minimalist beachfront retreat. so i’m here with some ideas to take us back to this beautiful seaside resort, at least virtually. it’s not your average, kitschy, or nautical-themed beach getaway at all, but something just a little bit more sophisticated — think of it as a combination of laid-back, casual comfort and the elevated style of some mid-century modern classics with the dramatic backdrop of the big, beautiful sea of cortez.

i ended up down an internet rabbit hole curating vintage mid-century modern furnishings, ceramics, rattan, some interesting textiles, and a touch of aquamarine, so a stylish but sophisticated surf is up. if you like this beachy look, you can find more inspiration from a few design books i love: the new mediterranean: homes and interiors under the southern sun from gestalten, surf shacks volume 2 by matt titone (surf shacks volume 1 is great, too); and this is home: the art of simple living by natalie walton. and a few instagrammers you might like with this vibe are @mrjasongrant, @kimficaro, and @maraserene. enjoy this trip to the sea.

clockwise, from l to r: serena & lily scallop side table; sea horses via equator journal; serena & lily palisades chair; urban outfitters miriam woven stool; vintage ceramics by @sfgirlbybay; urban outfitters kelsey rattan hanging chair; bedroom by @heapsandwoods; palms via equator journal; urban outfitters marisol coffee table; mexico travel poster via equator journal; holiday magazine spring/summer 2022 international travel and style cuba; cotton and bamboo pendant lamp from imprint house; swimming pool by @oascompany.

clockwise, from l to r: anthropologie positano indoor/outdoor dining chair; surf styling by @mrjasongrant; @ndiehomecollective woven squab cushions; le surf via equater journal; anthropologie positano rattan indoor/outdoor chaise lounge; surfing san onofre to point dume: photographs by don james: 1936-1942 book by c.r. stecyk and don james; greek rattan lampshade from indie home collective; vintage collection from @shopmantel; bedford v2 unit vinyl record storage from divider records; natural seagrass wall deco from zoco home; anthropologie farmhouse pottery candlesticks; the new mediterranean: homes and interiors under the southern sun from gestalten; beach retreat from tiny house talk.

• photography credits: click on the image, which will take you to its original source. in the case of my collages, the links are listed just below, clockwise from left to right.