I've had to take it down a notch in our home. Instead of a turning our home into a pink and green Palm Beach Bungalow (which I've been inclined to do in the past), I've chosen a more refined beach route with touches of seagrass, clusters of seashells and tiny doses of stripes.
Looking for a sprinkling of sand in your space? Here are a 5 seaside elements to add a bit of beach to your home:
1. Seashells The beach accessory for your home. Collect them yourself or search for larger varieties at local flea markets.
2. Seagrass Whether it be a basket, rug, or chair — a little seagrass goes a long way in adding tropical flair to your pad.
3. Stripes Bold stripes are an instant way to add nautical charm to any room. IKEA has a great summer collection of colorful striped runners, hammocks and throw pillows. Unfortunately, you have to wade through the crowds, as IKEA's seasonal items are not available online.
4. Sailboats Or any beach-inspired decor. I like to shop local garage sales in beachy neighborhoods for affordable vintage coastal finds. Etsy is another great place to find handmade seaside decor.
5. Swaying Palms A few well placed palm fronds in a sleek white vase may be all the beach you need. Buy a potted palm at Home Depot so you don't have to "borrow" clippings from your neighbor.
Images: 1. The Surf Lodge;2. Bear Hill Interiors;3. Coastal Living;4. West Elm;5. Pottery Barn
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I love a good rusted anchor or some kitschy lobster tchotchkes to add some nautical flair.
-anna
at the chateau
It can be more subtle too. Some coral prints or mixing brights with blues gives a great reef vibe without being too obvious.
I grew up in Calif. too, but now live in a landlocked state. Still I have a few subtle decorations to remind me of my roots--seashells collected on the beach and displayed in attractive jars, sanddollars, photographs, maps and even an etched mermaid nightlight.
Seventh generation native Californian here, and another seashell collector. I put them in plain glass vases (IKEA is a great source for these) with some of their local sand. I've been all over the world and have my shells from various continents in their vases grouped together, with a slip of paper in each vase saying where/when I got the shells ("South Africa, April 2001"). I love the way they look, and they are easy to rearrange. An inexpensive, natural design element I never get tired of looking at.
what is the paint color on the wall behind the ship in the hallway? I am redoing my living room with white furniture and curtains and that is the color I've been looking for my walls. Thanks