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!

Warmth Company - A Distinctive Home Store in Aptos, California

I had the good fortune to meet the owners of the Warmth Company, Monica and Naomi,  at the Alameda Flea market at the beginning of this month.  Melissa and I had a great time visiting with them and checking out their finds; cool beach cottage painted furniture, antique aqua glass bottles, sea shells galore - they knew all the secrets!

Finally, last week I had an opportunity to  drive down  the coast  to see their store in Aptos. Aptos is a small historic town just beyond Santa Cruz, yet a few miles before you get to Monterey on Hwy 1, with part of the town (including the State Park)  on the ocean side of the freeway, the rest of the town tucked on the other side of Hwy 1. Thank goodness Naomi had given me her card at the market, so I could plug in the address into the GPS on my Iphone, because I did get turned around a little bit when I got off of the freeway.

 Warmth Company is located in the cute historic shopping district - will definitely have to go back when I have a little more time.

Wow -walked in the door and was instantly in coastal decorating heaven!  Enjoy my tour, and a just a small sample of all of the incredible treasures to be found inside.....

    

Here's the flea market chair in a pretty boudoir setting!  Sorry, it was so sunny that day, and difficult to get the lighting just right, the antiqued white dresser is covered in beautiful soaps, lotions and antique bottles with corals and shells....

Love this white mother-of-pearl lamp!

Beach washed bottles...

Tons of decorating books scattered throughout the store, including one of my favorites 

"The Way We Live By the Sea"...

All Shell Chandelier! So pretty..

My new bedroom...

Treasures abound in every single corner of this store!

In their words.. "Warmth Company offers fine home furniture, furnishings & accessories for those people with discriminating tastes and who desire a distinctive “look and feel” in their living space. Our mission is to provide everything you need to turn your house into your home."  

Warmth Company is a MUST SEE store on the California Coast!!

Here's a link to the website: http://www.warmthcompany.com/index.html,

Hope you enjoyed the tour, come with me next time!