I’ve started thinking about summer decorating here at Storybook Cottage. It includes Sea Shells and Sand Castles.
Sea Shells and Sand Castles
Given the recent nautical themed bathroom remodel here at the cottage and that I have a Pinterest page that is purely devoted to Nautical Niceness you can surmise I am a fan of coastal-inspired decor.
For mothers day Sweet Guy gifted me with a design book that somehow had escaped my design book lovin’ radar.
It is Sand Castles ~ Interiors Inspired by the Coast by Tim Neve. Tim is an Australian Interior Stylist who also has a line of home decor products available in the U.K. and online.
The pages of the book are chock full of inspiring rooms and vignettes that favor seaside chic.
The Seashell Collection
Many of you recently saw the seashell collection that I have been working on for almost 20 years. Normally I try to only add shells that I myself or my family members have found. A few shells were also gifted to me by dear friends. At a recent estate sale, it was quite evident that the individual whose home I was in had also been a collector of shells. Knowing that it is now illegal to gather endangered conch shells, with their perfectly pink interior, I decided that if I wanted one, this was my chance. Not to mention the price was incredible for such a shell~ $5. This specimen is large, heavy and in my eyes, perfect. I also brought home a few others. I so love the pearlized rainbow interiors of abalone shells, don’t you?
TIP~ abalone shells work beautifully as soap dishes, coin collectors and candle holders.
I tend to be drawn to the soft blues, aqua, and whites often used in coastal interiors.
Green is also particularly soothing.
But the men in my family love a brighter color palette.
So I am going to add a touch of sunshine yellow to the man cave. Stay tuned.
Are you a beachcomber or shell seeker?
Laura
I can't wait to see what you do, I know it will look fabulous. I love your shells too.
Laura, just catching up after a week away, and I love the bath redo in its completed state! Your choice colors will certainly be complementary in the man cave, and I look forward to your next styling. I have several really large conch shells that washed ashore and I which claimed in between hurricanes from a favorite destination. My husband always likes to tell of me getting through security in that country, more than 15 years ago, as if he was no part of it. 😉
These rooms are gorgeous! I love all of them. I cannot wait to see how you spruce up the house with your shells and nautical finds.
Have a great week.
Nice ideas! Our house has a beach-woodsy theme going on and it's like that year round, and YES, I'm very much a shell collector. Every beach vacation, I come home with a bunch of shells. This last vacation to Dauphin Island, Alabama, brought some really nice gifts from the sea. 🙂
Seeing all this reminds me that it is closing in on time to open the cottage up north! Oh, I, too, love all things nautical and seaworthy (or at least give the impression of being so!).
The conch is a gem. I would have snapped that one up in a heartbeat, too. And the book looks fabulous. I'll have to keep an eye out!
I haven't seen this book Laura. Your son is a great gift giver! I love the bright color palette and know that you will rock it as you always do.;-)
Oh, yes I am a beach comber! There is nothing more relaxing and rejuvenating than walking along a beach at sunrise and gathering treasures. I have glass jars filled with them.
I would have snapped that conch up in a second, too.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
It's difficult to think about summertime decorating when spring is springing so late for us here. We even have some daffodils blooming! And many trees are still blossoming, so it is def still spring here.
I still have my spring decor out! : – )
I like the nautical sharing here, it's so pretty. My sister and also another of my dear friends have lake cottages so it is inspirational to help find perfect gifts when I am out thrifting.
My great aunt, who has since passed on to Glory, once visited my uncle who lived at the coast. She gathered so many shells that she was unable to carry them all herself and had to enlist the help of various family members. When I read about your shell collection, I immediately thought of her and knew you'd appreciate the story.
I'm a beachcomber myself.
Lots of great beach inspirations!
The bath redo is really cute and some great beachy inspiration…
Laura,
There is something about shells, driftwood, maps, blues, and greens that entices me, also. Your collection is looking wonderful.
Judith
What a lovely book!
I am a white stone collector as well as a shell collector. In our last house I covered all of the paths with crushed mussel shells. They glowed so beautifully in the moonlight.
Hi Laura, I know it will be wonderful. Everything you design is gorgeous. I love a summer beachy theme too. The book looks lovely and very inspiring. At my rose cottage here, I have a rocky beach section by the pool with scattered shells and blue glass pebbles that glitter in the sun.
Have a wonderful mid week. xo
I love your inspiration! It seems to be a great book. I can't wait to see how it inspired you.
Hello, dear Laura!
I'm sorry I'm behind in commenting on your lovely posts. Spring has finally come and life has been very busy.
Thank you for sharing these inspiring photos! Enjoy the upcoming summer season and the beauty of your home!
What a wonderful book from your son, Laura! Will, our son, gives me books often because he knows I love them. 🙂 Yes, I do love the beach and almost always look for shells when we're there. I also love nautical themes, too. I have a few nautical things around our home, but you've inspired me to add a few more. 😀
Can't wait to see what you do to the man cave for summer!
Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
That study of ferns on the wall is absolutely charming!
Looks like a dreamy book! Love the title!
Jenna
I've been working on a beach theme that isn't a beach theme, if you get me. It has to envoke the feeling of the beach, without any apparent or obvious theme. That's hard! Each thing has to be considered. I can't say I am fully succeeding, as of yet.
Those first few photos were so calming and relaxing, almost as if you were lying by the sea. And then you hit us with all that color and I woke up. Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be gorgeous. I am hosting a new link party, Sweet Inspiration, and would love it if you joined us. It runs Friday till Tuesday.
Oh, I love that fern chart! I have a fern theme in my small bath off my kitchen. Would love to find one! Your shells are wonderful. I have one I am using as a soap dish in my upstairs guest bath. The bedroom and bath have a nautical theme. Love all of your inspiration photos.
hugs,
Jann