Are you living on the beach ?  Do you see an ocean outside your window ?

If you can see the ocean RIGHT NOW, skip this post.  You are disqualified.

 

But, but, but, but….. before you skip the post,

Do you need a new best friend?

Because I definitely want to be your new BFF.

Beach living??!! You are officially the luckiest person on earth.

You won the coastal living lottery.

What on earth are you doing inside?  On your computer ?  Quick, jump up.  Get outta ‘yer chair.

GO !!!

Get outside and play in your sandbox { aka BEACH }  for crying out loud.  I am so jealouzzzz.

 

 

Now what are the rest of us REAL PEOPLE going to get up to?  No good.  Trouble that is.  Because we are going to copy cat the beach dweller.  Right in our own houses.  Pronto.

 

No probs.  We are going to live like we live on a beach.  Minus the icky parts.  Who says we wanted sand in our pants anyway ?!!  Or in our sandwiches.  Who says we like beautiful ocean views and the sound of the soothing waves on the beach ?!  Whatever.  Waves are for sissies.   Water is stupid.  I lie.

 

 

I am Canadian

….like…..

live in the middle

of Canada

Canadian.

Truth is, the only time of year that I hear the sound of the soothing ocean is when I hold a conch shell up to my ear.

 

How do I make the coastal decor HAPPEN ? It is really not that hard.  Seriously.

•  Reading a manual is HARD.
• Getting wads of bubble gum out of your dryer is hard.
• Checking 45 voice mail messages is hard.  And slightly boring.

 

This coastal decor thing is a snap by comparison.

My Motto:   If I can’t have the beach coast outside my front door, I will have it inside my front door.

Yup. That’s how I roll.

 

 

My idea of  BEACH COAST DECOR :

 

Organic elements…..

 

Driftwood, beautifully shaped interesting shells, whites, soft cream colours, funky coral, sea glass, unscented creamy white candles sitting in sand, soft wispy sea grass, twigs …. Then…I mix it up with a bohemian feel of cotton floor pillows and fresh linen throw cushions.  

 

 

 

What to avoid :

Cheesy coastal.  Don’t do that.

If you have a wallpaper border with fish on it, rip that border off the wall.  Right now.  Hurry up.  I will wait for you.

Having a fish wallpaper border is:

Oh, what’s the word???!

Thinking….thinking….

Got it…..

UGLY.

 

Not gonna lie.  Time for it to leave the building.  Get it OFF.   I promise it will look fantastic when the wee fishes are NOT swimming across your living room wall on a straight line of faded paper.  Pinky swear it.

Decorate with what makes YOU feel good.  Unless it is a wallpaper border.  I don’t care if that makes you feel good.  Don’t do it.  🙂

Decorate with what YOU love.

 

 

 

One thing to keep in mind, is to not go berzerk with this ‘look’.  Everything is fab, in moderation.  I often need to remind myself about that when it comes to Margarita’s.  Do you do that ?  Having ONE Margarita is like having ONE peanut.  Or ONE potato chip.  IMPOSSIBLE.

 

Moderation is where it is at.  For example, if you love shells….use them amongst your candles in tins of sand or in vintage mason jars.  Scatter them in a few places on a table top with other decorative pieces.  Don’t go ape crazy and have shells in every nook and cranny of the house.  That would just be weird.  You don’t want to be the neighbourhood weird-o.

 

 

NOTE : If you are a ‘beach shell gatherer’  (ohhh, it is ooh so very fun)  teach me how to really make those shells smell good after you get home from your holidays.  I have brought shells home, unpacked them from my suitcase, and wondered why customs didn’t haul me in for having a dead body in my luggage.  I swear those shells smelled like I brought a dead octopus home or something really nasty.  If anyone needs to know the true definition of STENCH, just go ahead and try to stuff a bunch of shells in your luggage for a few days.  Don’t even attempt to wrap them in a plastic bag, unless you want to up the ante in the I-can’t-stand-the-smell category.  I wish I could wipe that scent memory outta my head.  Not happenin’ yet.

 

After you have solved the great shell catastrophe it is truly beautiful to set those shells in sand at home or display them and use them to create a beautiful coastal decor.

 

 

Keep it simple.

Simple is essential in home decor.

It is fresh, crisp, serene and soothing.

The look is classically organic.

It feels warmly refreshing.

Imagine zen living, right in your own home.

Imagine the feel of vintage finds, old worn pieces, combined with softly worn sea shells….

 

 

For a fresh coastal look, layer whites-on-whites in a zen-like monochromatic way. Throw in some creamy whites, add a dash of weathered whites, and …well you get the picture…use WHITE.  I am a lover of WHITE.  No secret there.

Keeping your home fresh and clean feeling is even slightly easier at this time of year.  It is SPRING !! It is a great time of year to fling open all your doors and windows.

 

Kick out all the fur balls { aka DUST BOULDERS }.  Same thing.

If you keep the doors and windows open long enough, the dust just may fly out the door.  By itself.  Like Magic.

I have seen it happen.  Right before my very eyes.

The ultimate goal…is to make your house a HOME

A home that feels warm when you walk through the door.  Where, even your guests feel right at home.  Don’t make it TOO COMFORTABLE, or your guests will never leave :).  Ha ha …you know who you are.  I know my friends read my blog.  P.S. Next time you come, bring some Margarita’s.  We can practice moderation.  Sort of.  Not really.  You can stay forever.   I feel a treehouse sleepover marathon coming on.

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

William Morris

 

 

May you have a beautiful, coastal day.

* Happy Spring *