Decorate with Seashells from CereusArt

Decorate with seashells

Empty seashells are found washed on the shore by beachcombers. These finds can be displayed around your home or apartment transporting you to a warm beach with tranquil breezes and waves gently lapping the shore.

Seashells can add texture, symmetry, and add focal points to your home decor. You can display one large seashell on a coffee table as a conversation piece. Or you can use seashells for your latest craft project. After my beach wedding I gathered seashells in vases of varying lengths and displayed them on a shelf in my bathroom. There are many ways to decorate with seashells. The possibilities are endless.

Create a beautiful centerpiece with seashells.

(See the full post at Thoughts from over the Rainbow)

Use seashells to create a seashell monogram.

(View the full tutorial at Purple Hues and Me)

Display seashells in a bowl.

(Source: Nautical Cottage Blog)

Driftwood from CereusArt

Driftwood

Another staple of classic beach decor is driftwood, weathered wood that has been washed onto a shore. The "motion of the ocean" makes it difficult to determine the origin of a piece of driftwood and I think that's why I like it. From the smooth edge or jagged grooves you can almost feel the history of a piece. Decorating with driftwood is really very easy. You can arrange a large piece on a coffee table or gather smaller pieces in a dish or vase. Lately folks have gotten their creative juices flowing and are creating lovely pieces of art. It's amazingly easy to work with and can easily be cut into smaller pieces for complex projects. Unlike other DIY beach decor supplies it can be used year round to add a coastal touch to seasonal decor.

I recently saw this beautiful (and cheap) project for DIY Linen Driftwood Pumpkins from City Farmhouse.

Driftwood Christmas Trees

JOY Letters from Cottage Coastal

Sea Glass from CereusArt Coastal Decor

Sea Glass

I started collecting sea glass a few years ago. A co-worker invited me to attend the North America Sea Glass Association's Sea Glass Festival. I'm lucky enough to live in Virginia Beach where the festival is held. After learning about sea glass, watching the shard of the year competition, and seeing the beautiful jewelry and art from the vendors I was hooked.

Common Sources Of Sea And Beach Glass By Color

Color Of Glass	Source Of Glass
white	soda bottles, jars, plates, windows, auto glass
brown	beer bottles, medicine bottles
yellow-green/kelly green	beer, juice, soft drink bottles
uncommon green	early Coke, Dr. Pepper, wine and beer bottles
gray, pink	Depression glass
lime green	1950s soda bottle
soft blue, forest green	ink, fruit, baking soda jars
lavender	originally white tinted by replacement chemical
cornflower/cobalt blue	Noxema, Phillips, Bromo Seltzer, medicine, poison
dark amber	whiskey, medicine, bleach bottles
light amber	auto or boat tail lights
dark olive/black	old bottles used to transport spirits
orange	Carnival glass
red	old Schlitz bottle, dinnerware, car and nautical lights

As often as I can I walk along the beach doing the "Sea Glass Stoop" hoping to add a rare piece to my collection. I decorate with sea glass in my home. I also use it to create items in my Etsy shop, CereusArt.

My sea glass isn't genuine it is actually man made tumbled glass. This is a huge no-no for purists, I know. Because I use so much of it, I can't afford to always use the real thing (at least not yet!). The glass in my shop is a great alternative and is far less expensive.

Here are some great ideas on decorating with beach glass in your home.

Votives

Mobile

Dish

Limpet Shells from CereusArt Coastal Decor

Limpet Shells

Limpet shells have become one of my favorite beach decor supply items. Even if you are far from the shore you can turn seashells into fun craft ideas to decorate your home. The size, shape and color make limpet shells the perfect complement to a mermaid inspired hair comb or barrette. The color can vary from a deep turquoise hue to the light blue, reminding me of the deep colors of the ocean.

Jewelry makers use them to adorn bracelets and earrings.

I especially like this wedding I DO sign that is decorated with limpet shells.

Here the shells were painstakingly applied to this box to create a unique and colorful design.

Limpet Shells from CereusArt

Vintage Nautical Charts from CereusArt

Nautical Charts

I love maps! Nautical charts, world maps, vintage maps, it makes no difference to me. Using nautical charts as wallpaper is an inexpensive way to add charm and character to a study, bedroom, mudroom, or a kitchen.

Recently a retired sea captain gifted me with a large collection of vintage nautical charts. These are authentic maps with his notations. Remodelaholic has a terrific tutorial for DIY Nautical Chart Wallpaper. (Click for the tutorial)

What a cool way to bring the sea to your home or office!

Nautical Chart Bathroom (source)

Nautical Chart Bedroom (source)

CereusArt Vintage Nautical Chart South America

CereusArt Vintage Nautical Chart West Indies

Shell Night Lights from CereusArt Coastal Decor

Shell Night Light

A shell night light can be used to provide a soft illumination to your bedroom or hallway. Many a night I've tripped over something while trying to make my way to the bathroom. These shell night lights bring the beauty of the ocean to your beach house decor. They also make a lovely thank you gift to your hostess after a weekend stay. The sea shell night light is also a thoughtful housewarming gift.