National Seashell Day!

(P.S. Yes, this is a small sampling of my coastal design and lifestyle book addiction!)

In honor of "National Seashell Day" AND the official first day of summer, I thought we would show off a few of our favorite rooms, using nature's loveliness found in seashells to decorate with a definite coastal focus. Honestly, I think that these ocean beauties are just about the most perfect jewel to adorn any room!

We think these rooms are an excellent examples of shell decorating done right. Enjoy the tour!

100% Glam - Emeril Lagasse's incredible Gulf Coast Home featured in Veranda

What a great way to show off your shell and coral collections - use the built-in staircase shelving.  Source - Coastal Living

 Show off your most prized specimen shells as part of a coffee table display.  Love this room created by designer Alessandra Branca, featured in Beautifully Seaside

 Kristy's beautifully neutral sea shell inspired living room - we love all of the grey and driftwood shades mixed with just a few splashes of dusty blue.  Lovely and so beach cottage perfect! 

Source - Starfish Cottage

Love the combination of summer blue hydrangeas and seashells! Simple, but so beautiful and 100% summer.  Source - Kim Power Style Blog

Wow!  What a creative, beautiful way to show off sea shells, starfish and sand dollars - embedding them in an impressive fireplace.  (I am definitely doing this at our next house!) 

Source - Homebunch

Love this bookcase collection!  Although, I do really hope that those large corals are faux....

Source - Decor Pad

Trent's apartment featured in Apartment Therapy - I love his creative mounting of seashells and sea fans as part of his gallery art wall.  Don't miss his collection on the coffee table too!

What a fun cabinet to catch your interest in a large dining room! We like that it is enclosed, but still open - feels breezy and so much like a beach house.  See the rest of this California Coronado Island Home in Traditional Home

A pretty little setting area with the owner's collection of shells displayed under glass in matching shadow boxed frames.  Keeping the look consistent makes all the difference in this small space. 

Source - Redbook Magazine

What else to you need?   Maybe just add a chunky knit throw and a great book!

Source - Remodelista

A lovely seashell display with aqua glass bottles makes a subtle, but beautifully coastal statement.

Source - HGTV

How can you ever go wrong with a Barclay Butera look?  Always fab!

The key is to not let your space become a big "hodge-podge" of  a "beachy" decor mess. Which is easy to do, if you are not careful with your collections, just remember to edit and change things out for interest and with the evolving seasons and your lifestyle. 

For more ideas on decorating with Sea Shells - check out our Pinterest Seashell Board

Oysters... Not my Favorite

Custom Oyster Sign

But, I do like their natural ocean-shell beauty, and I do like to indulge that handsome boyfriend of mine.  So, today we will hop in the mini-cooper and take a drive up to Point Reyes.  Have a little lunch, take a drive out to the lighthouse and then down to Drake's Bay Oyster Farm to grab some fresh, right out of Pacific Ocean, oysters for Tom.

In the meantime, I thought I would leave you all with some of my favorite oyster shell home decor ideas.  Oysters can be found on the West Coast, the East Coast and every spot in between.  And as always, I am amazed at how adding that extra touch of pearl-lustre shell into your home can really make such a glamorous statement.

 Just take a look at the oyster shell covered lamp in this Austin Home (not on the coast!) featured at House of Turquoise!

Check out this adorable DIY chandelier that I discovered at Dixie Delights!  

She even added a complete tutorial - 

And you can always count on Jane Coslick for gorgeous oyster shell ideas!

Love love that oyster shell covered fireplace! (So sorry, not sure of source)

Simply beautiful oyster shell table garland for a seaside wedding!  This could be used over and over again for all kinds of beach parties - so pretty. (Source: OnceWed.com)

Who could resist this oyster shell candle holder?  Completely Coastal featured a fun diy tutorial with her post - check it out!  DIY Oyster Shell Candle Holder

Here are a few of my favorite oyster-shell items on our Caron's Beach House site - take a look!

Super cute Oyster Shell Salt Cellar - great little gift idea and for a dinner party at the beach!

Pearly's Oyster Bar - Can be all custom created for your favorite oyster aficionado!

From artist, Kolene Spicher - love these "Black Pearl" art pieces!

Oyster Pillow 

Oyster Boat Pillow

Fun Oyster-themed indoor-outdoor pillows - little works of art, these are extremely affordable and durable, and great to mix and match with our other indoor-outdoor beach pillow choices.

More tomorrow from our Drake's Bay adventure!

Seashell Natural Decorating

Now that you've collected all the seashells, what to do with them?

Here's 5 of our favorite ideas!

1. Display them in a glass lamp, so easy to change with the seasons.  Add your most prized shells, mix with sea glass or driftwood to create an ever changing display piece.  (Caron's Beach House)

2. Make your own shell mirror.   So easy to create something that can easily be the focal point of your room, by using a large scale frame and large scale shells. Keep it all natural with sand and shore colors, or mix in tropical shells for an island feel.   Love this vignette, with the beachy blues and creamy white shells, not to mention the fabulous tall polished lantern!  (image found on Pinterest)

3. Create a wreath, starting with driftwood.  Collect your own driftwood to create a wreath base, or better yet, start with one that is already pre-made especially if you don't live near a beach where there is ample driftwood to take home.   Get creative with not only shells, but other flotsam and jetsam!

From Everything Coastal (used to be my front door!)

Driftwood Wreaths - Bases Only

4.  Create your very own special shadowbox with your most precious shells.  Love this simple beautiful idea from Danielle Oakley Interiors. The blue background with bleached starfish  is just stunning!

5. Use large glass jars, with interesting lids filled with seashells for bookends.  So simple, functional, and the shells are protected from dust.

Stay tuned for 5 more ideas!