Monday, March 7, 2011

Design Bucket List #6 - Decorate a Beach Cottage


Campagne Decoration
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a little seaside cottage?

House Beautiful
Imagine going to sleep with the sound of the waves, or waking up to ocean breezes.

House Beautiful
Imagine how much fun it would be to decorate a little cottage with a nautical theme like designer Gary McBournie did above.

Imagine looking out the window of this living room and seeing the blue ocean! It makes me go "ahhhhhh."

Campagne Decoration
More "ahhhhhh!"

Are you saying "ahhhh" yet too?

Coastal Living
Back inside, I am asking myself and you too, "how would you decorate your seaside cottage?"
I would find vintage oil paintings of the ocean or ships and hang them on white walls.

Definitely white walls....

Barclay Butera
Yup, white walls, vintage oil painings, and the color blue!

Although I'm not a "blue person," blue just makes sense in a beach house.

So do stripes!

Phoebe Howard
Of course, I would succombe to all the cliches of nautical decor!
The proverbial model ships....

....nautical lanterns

....driftwood

....kitchy wallpaper!

....old life preservers

And duh, a sea shell chandelier!

I think it would be so much fun visiting flea markets and antique stores looking for the perfect accessories, filling the cottage with treasures.

Ultimately though, it's all about the ocean. And the sunsets. And the beach!

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back to whence we came." ~John Kennedy

I couldn't agree more!

Pin It!

22 comments:

a quiet life said...

you are talking right up my alley today... i have been shopping in teal, cream and white and having a ball! i have some of your same pics for inspiration~

Diane said...

Wonderful collage of pics. I love, love nautical decor.

Diane said...

Dang, girl. You decorate it and I would be glad to bring some wine and hang out!

Barclay Butera and Gary McBournie are two of my favorite designers.

And lately I have been snapping up lanterns and seashells at Goodwill. Why, just yesterday, I bought a model ship, and it doesn't even go with my house. Guess I'm just getting ready for the beach house I don't yet have!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

BEAUTIFUL photos!! I couldn't pick a favorite because I LOVED them all! Have a great week, Martina

Calypso In The Country said...

Those pictures are amazing! I think the Barclay Butera and Phoebe Howard are my favorites but they are all beautiful! I agree - you have to have blue in a beach house!...I really need a beach house...Great post!
Shelley

Rebecca said...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I'm with you - all the way! Probably would accent with blue & add some sandy/brown shades as well.

Becca Bertotti said...

Such wonderful inspirational pictures! Wow ... the Barclay Butera room is amazing. My parents live on the ocean and get to enjoy such wonderful views every day! Thanks for making it feel sunny and 80 today! *Becca*

www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

Kathysue said...

Hi D, Oh as soon as I saw the first image I took a deep cleansing breath, ready to be open to all the ocean images has to offer. You know this is a perfect dream to me. Oh to have an ocean view. I might just have to visit the idea in a blog post as you have done on what I would actually have in my cottage. I love all of the touches you have chosen, they are so DELORES!!! If your dream ever comes true, may I visit please?!! xo Kathysue

Marlis said...

Since dust storm season is upon us here in West Texas.. take me to the sea!!! Beautiful photos. I would go with the more turquoise-y colors and lots of white and shells.. and old boats... aaahhh

Agni said...

Looks like summer....
Ag

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

I have the same dream! Beautiful photos!

Sonia said...

My parents had a wonderful beach house in Florida and every winter and summer we would go...I loved all the light bright spaces, windows and water views! Blue and white was the perfect color scheme...loved your pictures and post..brings back lovely memories!

Miss Bloomers

Karen said...

Did you hear the sigh from Irvine? I loved every image! I would do the blue and white thing with nautical touches as well...it just works!
Thanks,
Karen

NanaDiana said...

I lived on the beach in my youth and loved it...oh~ to be back there now with this knowledge and age..(but the young body)..lol LOVE the images...each and every one of them. xxoo Diana

savvycityfarmer said...

I want it all ...

just for a week, and I'd be happy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Everything is so beautiful! I live in Florida and I would SO love to add more beach touches to my home! Great post! ♥

Sarah said...

Delores, that's my dream ~ a beach cottage on Nantucket Island. Lovely inspiration photos. ~ sarah

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Delores, Such lovely images! I have the same chair as the one in the Barclay Butera room. It's currently in our beach house but I plan to retrieve it once the house sells. Interested in a FL beach home?
hugs,
Sherry

sheerserendipity said...

I live by the beaches of Rockaways, New York and I can't wait to take walks on beach when it gets a little warmer. I love all things beachy! Your collection of pictures are so beautiful and inspiring!

Charlene said...

Beautiful photos - so inspiring! I love, love, love nautical decor! I visited Cape Cod a couple of years ago and just can't get enough of the beach house look. Thanks for sharing!

Completely Coastal said...

Love it all..., am dreaming of a cozy cottage by the sea that I can decorate all nautical!

Tricia Rose Rough Linen said...

I am commissioning some paintings to go in my funky waterside cabin, big secret surprise for my husband! doing a contra deal with a friend who is an artist, and I am digging out favorite photos of past beach holidays for inspiration. I can't wait!

Related Posts with Thumbnails