Decorating Tip Essential: Model Sailboats

The essential design element to add to your coastal living space is a large scale model sailboat or even a regatta - take a look!

Designer Libby Langon's Room featuring the Tangerine and Navy Cooper Square Rug at Caron's Beach House

(Source: Maine Home - Cottage by the Sea)

To give your room a sophisticated, classic polished finish and to instantly bring in the romance of sailing and life beside the sea. Wind in your sails, the call of seabirds, an afternoon exploring rocky coves, the rush of the sea... 

A gorgeous dark blue model sailer from HGTV, showcasing designer Sarah Richardson's Summer Home .  Creating a welcoming statement focal point for her lovely dining room, this large scale sail boat really stands out!

Setting the tone for a traditional Nantucket styled cottage! This large red and white linen sailboat sits atop a antique sofa table creating a not only a focal point in this charming living room, but also serves as wall decor too. (source Homebunch)

(source: Traditional Home)

Don't you love how this large scale sailing model mimics the pitch of the dining room ceiling?  Perfect use of space while making a beautiful nautical design statement! 

Designer Anthony Barratta never fails to impress! I adore that bright red accent wall decorated with vintage china plates with small sailboats - warm and bold. Can only imagine the interesting dinner conversations that take place here, especially on a cold night with a roaring fire in the background... (source Anthony Baratta Design)

A family's love of boating is exemplified in this beautiful dining room highlighted with a sail boat gracing the buffet cabinet. No need for extra wall art, this maritime piece says it all and becomes the focus point of the well-appointed room of a Delaware Summer Beach Home. (source: House Beautiful)

If one large model sailboat seems to overwhelm your space, love the idea of creating your own small regatta! Like designer Libby Langdon put together beautifully in the 2012 Hampton's Showhouse. (Tradtional Home)

(Source: Home and Garden Craft Gossip)

(not sure of image source - sorry.) 

Lovely idea for beach cottage homes too. Display a collection of vintage and newly found model sailers, creating interest with different sizes and colors - no need to be matchy-matchy/boring-boring. (not sure of image source - sorry)

(Caron's Beach House - Model Sailboat Collections)

Take your time and hunt for one with a beautifully varnished hull, brass fitting details, and a large white linen or cotton sail (think of the "True Love" in the Philadelphia Story!) 

My friend Kathy has a really awesome collection of sailboats displayed in her beach home on Hood Canal. This vignette is just one of the images that I captured when she gave us a tour last summer.  Super cool because Kathy and Mike escape the cold and wet Pacific Northwest winters on their sailboat cruising the Sea of Cortez....

Personally, I like to think the treasure hunt is one of the best parts of decorating.... 

1930's Classic Yacht Model

Sunset Sailers - Set of 4 in all different colors

Newport Sloop

Have fun with this idea at your coastal home.  Antique stores and flea markets are great places to look for vintage sailers, but if you don't have easy access to great nautical vintage finds, we do have over 50 different styles of model sailing boats on our site that are based on real vintage sailing and yachting vessels.  Come explore!

Adventure Kids Bedrooms - Look for Us in the Magazine

I just love these fun bedroom ideas from Better Homes and Gardens, 2019 Spring Kids Rooms Special Edition. Jessica Bennett, the writer and producer of this adorable themed room did a fabulous job of pulling together kid friendly bedroom decorating ideas inspired by designer Jarlath Mellett's nautical bunk room. Plenty of space to play, and imagine with bright colors and lively beach kid decor to keep kids dreaming of the next adventure!

(P.S. So excited to see our Blue Shark Bite Surfboard take center stage too!)

Here are a few more ideas that we think would work great in a kids' room too!

You can't go wrong with durable indoor-outdoor bright pillows for a kids room, especially for less than $40.00! 

Fun lighting is a must - especially when diving into a favorite copy of Treasure Island or Harry Potter's Adventures!

Island Blues Rug - Featured in Article. Great reversible, durable wool rug!

Ship A'hoy Rug - Machine WASHABLE. Super Kid Friendly!

Can't miss with durable bright stripes! (note: more color, less "white" in a child's bedroom)

The special interest issue of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine can be found at your favorite bookstore or news stand - packed with great ideas for making kids rooms a great place to play and imagine their next adventure. We want to thank Jessica Bennett for using our Shark Bite Surfboard Art as part of her story!

Morro Bay's Otter Love

Don't these little furry sea creatures just make you smile? 

Tom and I hopped in our new Mini Cooper and drove down to the the Central Coast a few weeks ago. Our California coastal spring has been nothing but windy with sideways rain (ick), and we were trying to escape for our anniversary in search of some sunshine. After two days of rain, wind and fog, the sun peeked out on Sunday morning. Yay!

Tom and I grabbed our coffee cups and walked over to the boardwalk that surrounds the harbor in Morro Bay, then we spied these cute sea otters accompanied by their adorable pups playing in the bay. What a show they put on for us! 

Highly recommend Morro Bay for a visit - so much to see and do! Surfing, whale watching tours, fishing, wind surfing, wine tasting, fun boutique shopping, several yummy bakeries and incredible beaches for long walks. I may have come home with a pile of really cool sea glass.. 

Don't get me started on the HUGE California sea lions that cruise the bay - they are magnificent! 

It is absolutely one of our favorite spots on the California Coast! Not a bad spot to spend an anniversary too....