Hi, I'm Schuyler

Just a Homeowner Who Loves Coastal Living

I'm not a professional designer. I'm someone who has spent years figuring out how to make a home feel like the shore — one project, one mistake, and one small win at a time.

Schuyler Sauter in her Long Beach home

Meet Schuyler

I live in Long Beach, New York, in a home that has slowly transformed over the years into the coastal retreat I always wanted. It didn't happen overnight, and it definitely didn't happen with a big budget.

What started as a few small projects — repainting a tired deck, hunting for the right outdoor furniture, trying (and sometimes failing) to choose the right shade of white — turned into a real passion for coastal design. I learned what works, what doesn't, and how to make meaningful changes without spending a fortune.

I'm a big believer in trial and error. Some of my favorite spaces came from ideas that didn't go as planned, and I learned more from the missteps than the perfect Pinterest moments. Coastal style, for me, isn't about perfection. It's about creating spaces that feel relaxed, natural, and genuinely inviting.

When I'm not working on the house, you'll find me walking the boardwalk, scouring local shops for coastal finds, or sharing what I've learned with friends who ask the same questions I once had.

From My Own Spaces

Real Decks, Patios & Backyard Moments

Boardwalk mornings
Boardwalk mornings
Canal-side seating
Canal-side seating
Beach days
Beach days
Evening promenade
Evening promenade

Why I Started This

Shore Style Was Born From Real Experience

I created Shore Style because I kept hitting the same wall. I would search for coastal design inspiration and find beautiful images, but no real guidance on how to actually make it happen in a normal home with a normal budget. Everything felt either too expensive, too unrealistic, or written by someone who hadn't lived through the process.

I wanted a place where homeowners like me could find honest advice, real project breakdowns, and ideas that actually work in everyday spaces. No aspirational fantasy homes. No pressure to hire a designer. Just practical, relatable inspiration from someone who has been there.

Every style guide, transformation, and idea on this site comes from something I have researched, tried, or learned firsthand. I share the budget-friendly finds, the lessons from things that didn't work, and the small details that make a space feel coastal without feeling overdone.

What Guides Me

A Few Things I Have Learned Along the Way

Beautiful Doesn't Have to Mean Expensive

Some of my favorite pieces came from careful shopping, DIY projects, and reimagining what I already owned. A coastal feel is about texture, light, and restraint — not a big price tag.

Trial and Error Is Part of the Process

I have bought the wrong paint color, chosen outdoor cushions that faded too fast, and built a layout that looked better on paper. Every mistake taught me something valuable.

Outdoor Spaces Deserve Just as Much Love

Decks, patios, and backyards are extensions of your home. With the right furniture, lighting, and a few coastal touches, they become the places you want to spend the most time.

Small Changes Can Feel Transformative

You don't need a full renovation to love your space. Swapping hardware, adding natural textures, or restyling a single room can shift the entire feeling of a home.

Coastal Style Should Feel Lived-In

I love spaces that feel collected over time, not staged. A little imperfection, a little wear, and a lot of personality make a house feel like a home.

Helping Others Makes It Worthwhile

The best part of this journey has been hearing from other homeowners who feel more confident tackling their own projects. That is why I keep sharing.

Let's Connect

Want to Talk Coastal Design?

Whether you are planning a deck refresh, rethinking your patio layout, or just need someone to help you pick between two paint colors, I would love to hear from you. I don't have all the answers, but I have made enough mistakes to help you avoid a few.

Not ready to reach out? Start with the transformations or blog for inspiration you can use right now.

The Shore Style Letter

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Style guides, transformation reveals, and curated finds for homeowners who love timeless coastal living. No noise — just beautiful ideas.