Using Shells in Your Decor
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
If you were lucky enough to get to a beach this summer, chances are you collected at least a few shells and toted them home. Even if you didn't, your house might be clamoring for a few shells to remind you of the last time you did get to a beach.
Shells are a wonderful way to add natural elements and a variety of textures to your home. While you may not go all Marion McEvoy and glue gun thousands of shells to every bed and mantle that comes your way, a starfish or two could be just what you need to make you happy.
A TIP: One thing I've noticed - in ticky tacky souvenir shops, a lot of shell products look cheap because there are masses of them and because they are very inexpensive (yea!). However, once you get just one of them home, the cheap goes away. Take a second look at the masses of ornaments, jewelry boxes, shell mirrors, etc. when you are at the junky beach shop. Blur the "all I got was this lousy t-shirt" stuff around it out. Picture the shell item all by itself in your home, on a dresser, mantle, or counter. I guarantee you'll be surprised!
Shells are a wonderful way to add natural elements and a variety of textures to your home. While you may not go all Marion McEvoy and glue gun thousands of shells to every bed and mantle that comes your way, a starfish or two could be just what you need to make you happy.
A TIP: One thing I've noticed - in ticky tacky souvenir shops, a lot of shell products look cheap because there are masses of them and because they are very inexpensive (yea!). However, once you get just one of them home, the cheap goes away. Take a second look at the masses of ornaments, jewelry boxes, shell mirrors, etc. when you are at the junky beach shop. Blur the "all I got was this lousy t-shirt" stuff around it out. Picture the shell item all by itself in your home, on a dresser, mantle, or counter. I guarantee you'll be surprised!
This room is stunning, but I think it's those few cutie starfish on the mantle that push it into "I would kill to live there" territory for me. That and those white flowers!
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Here a large piece of coral serves as a sculpture.
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by A Beach Cottage
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| Shells are a great addition to a centerpiece. |
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The coral trend has had real staying power! The piece on the bedside table coordinates beautifully with the mirror over the bed.
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by A Beach Cottage
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| A few pretty tablescapes that include shells... |
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You can tuck starfish over a bit of moulding almost anywhere.
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Shells are right at home within the nautical style of A Lettered Cottage.
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As your collection grows, you can fill mason jars like these with them to add to the display.
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The shells are brought in on just a few subtle tiles on the coffee tables here.
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by A Beach Cottage
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| I love the way A Beach Cottage utilizes a neutral palette as a way to add in textures galore. Shells are a great part of this galore. |
by A Beach Cottage
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Here she does it again. Lovely!
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Shell printed bed linens can bring some shelltastic style to your bedroom. I couldn't stop myself from typing "shelltastic", even though I know it sounds super cheesy.
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Vintage Shell-tanicals are a great way to bring shells into your home. These were found for a few bucks each on eBay.
Ideabook published on Aug. 16, 2010.
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http://clustres.blogspot.com/2010/06/clamshell-take-me-away.html