Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Seaside Cottage Style Decorating


I've always dreamed of having a little Seaside Cottage, haven't you? Just a little place with the basic necessities overlooking the sea.

I would grow Hydrangeas and Roses and of course, Sea Thrift for bouquets.

I would gather sea glass and driftwood and lots and lots of shells and make wind chimes and jewelry and lovely shell boxes.

I would fall asleep to the sound of the sea and wake to a brisk walk along the shore, listening to the sea gulls and watching the ships go by.

With my two faithful dogs, Whitey and Champ.

And maybe The Mr. on weekends.

But unless Great Aunt Bette has a secret trust fund in my name, the chances of having a little beach cottage are very, very slim.

But I can dream.....



So I have created my own little Seaside Cottage right here at home.

Using Sea Glass shades of blue and green and inexpensive finds gathered over time.

I began with my small collection of Seaside Art and added vintage pillow covers in watery shades.



The blue ticking stripe is the reverse side of a patchwork quilt.

The blue raw silk pillows are 'new' from last year.



I collect Straw Bags and this sweet bag with embroidered beach scene is a favorite.


It holds crochet supplies and one of my favorite books,

Anne Morrow Lindbergh's, 'Gift From The Sea''

This small book is a treasure worth reading over and over. 


For the last few years, I have been collecting seascapes here and there.

These lovely finds were only a few dollars each. 


I have a small collection now, and I thought they might look nice all together. 

The tiny painting on top was purchased on vacation in New England.

I grew up in New England and this little painting brings me back.

The larger painting is an amateur depiction of Caracas in winter. 


The sailboat painting is an original watercolor that I found at a thrift store. I painted the frame. 

Above it hangs a framed greeting card depicting an ethereal work of art from the North Sea of Scotland sent to me by a friend.


All together they form a nice gallery. 


I set up a small bar on a galvanized tray on top of my treadle sewing machine. 

Hand blown glasses wait in a divided basket along with sea colored straws nestled in
Fish Art Pottery

The 'sea glass' coke bottle was found on a Cape Cod beach the first year of our marriage. 


Sea glass collected over time. 


A sweet mermaid bottle opener that I found on my recent trip to Snohomish


Hand blown wine decanter and shell for listening to the sea- both gifts from my daughter, rests on a sea green thrift store tray with a vintage crocheted liner.


The table gets an updated look with a woven striped runner I had on hand. 


Glass floats, shell shaped bowl, and hand blown glass dome complete the scene. I found the dome in Snohomish. 


My Kitchen Queen also got an update with cream pottery and Sea Glass colored glassware and pottery.

I replaced the pink and blue striped McCoy pottery and rose accessories of Spring.


These pieces are neutral and will accessorize with any color. 

Here I have two of my Dear Mother's blue glass, her hand blown creamer and pressed glass fish compote. 


The Compote looks very pretty on the bar used to serve garnishes for drinks.

I just love all the little details.

My Mother loved this piece and I feel close to her when I use it. 


The Seaside Tray that I made from her beautiful watercolor rests on top.

She painted the scene as a schoolgirl. 


I gathered some of my blue and green glass together. 


The pantry gets my own dried blue hydrangeas on top. 


I found two more vintage potholders in Snohomish, (on top). I thought the colors were perfect. 


Blues and greens are my favorite colors and they adapt so well to my Seaside Cottage Style decorating. 


Sea green bottles carry on the theme in the greenhouse window.

Message in a bottle?


Sea glass colors shine in the light. 


My Mother's heirloom pressed glass keeps things light. 


I hope you have enjoyed my Seaside Cottage Style Decorating.

 Everything was collected inexpensively over time,

with an eye for Sea Glass colors and Seaside accessories and art. 


I hope this inspires you to create your own Seaside Cottage wherever you live!

xoxo

33 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful and so restful. There is such a laid back peacefulness in the colors, furniture and the fabrics that you have selected. Perfection at it's best :)
    Connie :)

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  2. Hello Karen! you are great! I like every detail you show me, but I've fell in love with your pantry. It's the most beautiful pantry I've ever seen. Wonderful!

    Hugs

    Marina

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  3. Oh Karen I do believe you have created the perfect seaside cottage right there tucked right in the middle of those beautiful mountains you are lucky enough to live near. I could spend all my time there dreaming and thinking I may hear that ocean in the distance. Beautiful. B

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  4. it is straight out of house and garden (better homes and gardens?) i'm not a decorator, but i appreciate each and every personal touch you put into this. it is gorgeous.

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  5. Your seaside cottage is amazing - delight respite from the crazy stuff going on out in the "real" world!

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  6. I love the colors and how they give a very homey feel :) what a perfect place to call home.

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  7. I would love to have my own little seaside cottage! Especially if it looked like your beautiful home. You really have incorporated lots of cute little touches to give your place a seaside cottage style all your own. So lovely!

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  8. Lovely photo's from your home Karen! I think it does look like a seaside cottage!

    Madelief x

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  9. Gorgeous post Karen, Love your seaside cottage theme... I do live by the sea I love driftwood & shells & watching ships... I pass along the seafront each day on my way to work... I Love the fresh smell...All I need is your home to live in & life would be perfect!! Hugs May x x x

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  10. Dearest Karen,
    You end with a humble: with an eye for Sea Glass colors and Seaside accessories and art. You definitely do have a knack for putting things of beautiful Sea Glass & Seaside accessories together. If each woman would decorate her interior with the same passion that reflects her dreams, we would not ever need a magazine! This IS your magazine from the soul and far better than anything offered on the market now. You took your time and frugally collected and added on to your dream, your passion...
    Hugs and thanks for sharing such beauty with us!
    Mariette

    After all the sadness; this post did lift me up more than anything else!

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  11. How beautiful, Karen! You really have created a wonderful cottage by the sea feeling! So restful and lovely! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Just lovely - all the tiny touches that add so much to a home. The colors are fabulous and I felt like I was right there - in your cottage by the sea. It is nice to create the look you love, even if you are not on the beach. If this rain doesn't stop you just might be a bit closer to the sea. Such a sweet post.

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  13. Only thing missing is the crash of the waves. Nicely done.

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  14. Oh well, how many times I said I lover you house? :)

    altogether beautiful and cozy

    Blessing,
    Delvalina

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  15. Your cottage does remind me of the sea.
    Merle

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  16. Great pictures from your home Karen viewing. Wishing you and your a good weekend :) Hugs Hanne Bente ♥

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  17. I love changing seasonal decorations, Karen, and I love your seaside summer style, too. I use "patriotic" colors for summer to brighten my normal muted colors for spring and fall. (Post coming soon.)

    Have a great weekend! <3

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  18. Karen, you're a genius! I love how imaginative you are in creating a little world. And the Willie Fulton card looks perfect.

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  19. Loved the decor, the beautiful mermaid bottle opener!
    Inspired yes, I will bring a piece of the sea to my house because it gives a soft touch. Karen congratulations everything is so beautiful!
    kiss and good weekend for you

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  20. So beautiful! The next best thing to the seaside. :)

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  21. Your sea colored collections are beautiful. I love all of the green and blue glass displayed with the vintage pressed glass. Your Sea Side tray with your Mom's water color is wonderful.

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  22. Il tuo cottage è meraviglioso!Con la fantasia si può essere dove vogliamo anche al mare!Sono una nuova follower,baci,Rosetta

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  23. Karen, you have decorated with the beach theme very elegantly. I love the variety of glass you have and the coordination of the blues and greens. I have a beach themed sun/craft room that is a work in progress too. My favorite piece is a piece of driftwood I found at Cannon Beach last fall.

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  24. Karen, I always feel as if I've had a visit! I love blues and greens also. This does remind me of a beach cottage. We just returned a week ago from a trip to Florida, including a few days on the beach (the Gulf). It had been years since I'd seen the Southern shore and it was beautiful...far different from the Pacific.

    Blessings,
    Dianne

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  25. Very beautiful Beatrice. Maybe you can do my interior some time ;-)

    Kind regards from the Netherlands,
    Gert Jan

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  26. I look forward to sitting in your lovely country cottage too each time you post.. I get a restful feeling and all the added touches are making it indeed feel of the beach cottage..Your Mother's blue glass (WOW wee)a perfect touch and the sea glass too! I even think having the drinking straws handy like that is such a personal touch - saying let's have some lemonade -- and on top of all these touches comes your art work which is like the icing on the cake -- all so very lovely and comfortable!
    Hugs

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  27. Oh Mom, you made everything look so beautiful for our Father's Day celebration. You always know how to make us feel so special. Eric and I look so forward to every visit. It's like entering a whole new world when we 'come home'. You will have your beach cottage someday, I just know it. And we'll all be there to share it with you.

    I love you
    ~H~

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  28. Oh, just "wow".
    What a charming idea!
    Is this a separate cottage where you live?
    It is gorgeous and lovely, so peaceful.

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  29. p.s.
    Whoops; I just read some previous posts and see that
    this is the main house.
    It's perfect!

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  30. How pretty, Karen! I love all of those blues and greens.. especially the sea glass collection. very peaceful. Your home is filled with wonderful treasures!

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  31. What a lovely summer transformation. White and blue is my favourite colour combination and immediately brings to mind the beach, blue waves and sea shells. If you cannot go to the cottage why not make the cottage come to you ;-).
    Sorry I haven't been commenting so often recently. I have less time for the blog world these days. I might not always comment, but I still visit. Best regards from Warsaw, Karen.

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  32. WOW you have transformed your home into a cottage by the sea...What a great job you have done.. I love all your pictures; they are just perfect for look you were after....

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  33. Your home always looks SOOOO.... inviting!
    Love greens and blues together.
    I'm envious of the mermaid bottle opener. That's a vintage treasure!

    You really have transported us to a cozy beach in style!!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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