Decorating With Ponte Vedra Beach Home Accessories Created From Found Materials

By William Gray


Living by the ocean is something a lot of people would love to do, but few manage to achieve. Those who are lucky enough to have homes on the coast usually decorate them in ways that reflect their surroundings. Whether they live in large residences on stilts or tiny bungalows in the dunes, homeowners can often be found scouring the pages of designer magazines and blogs for the perfect Ponte Vedra beach home accessories.

Most don't think about windows being an accessory, but they are an important design element for houses overlooking the sand and sea. Many builders emphasize light by installing floor to ceiling windows that don't require coverings. Others like to incorporate leaded and colored glass panes to produce interesting images. They encourage homeowners to bring the exterior palette inside by reproducing the hues and tones of nature.

Most designers suggest owners paint interior walls in some shade of white, ocean blue, or aqua. A lot of homeowners use a neutral palette for furnishings and accessories. Others incorporate splashes of color into their designs, but are careful to limit their choices to a maximum of three accent colors. Pink, green, coral, and purple make good choices.

With such wonderful scenery as a backdrop, accessorizing with found materials seems like a natural extension of the outside. Driftwood pieces are unique examples of a way to make a dramatic, yet natural, statement. The pieces vary widely in size and complexity. Glass top coffee and end tables with driftwood bases make excellent and functional furniture. An interesting driftwood formation mounted onto a wall will become instant art.

Pebbles, starfish, sand dollars, and shells are usually abundant on the beaches of the Atlantic. They are easily retrieved and can be cleaned, dried, and placed in glass jars or added to an existing arrangement. Cleaning these objects will reduce the possibility that they will begin to give off extremely unpleasant odors. Arranging an assortment of these shells, sea horses, and dollars, and photos in a shadowbox can become a focal point in a room.

Ships are a natural choice for accessorizing houses by the ocean. There are many ways to incorporate a nautical theme into design. People who collect miniature ships and boats might want to set up shelves to show off their finds. Ship wheels, anchors, and knotted ropes are other accessorizing possibilities. Creative use of teak, bamboo, and rattan is a great way to pull all the elements of a nautical design together.

Most designers discourage the use of chintz, or other flowery materials that are reminiscent of a country estate, for houses located by the ocean. Distressed and painted furniture are more appropriate. Small distressed chests and interesting pottery make great accessories. Bottles strung together and hung will reflect light and take advantage of the breezes that always come off the ocean. They can be left in their natural state or be painted.

People who are lucky enough to live by the ocean should take advantage of the elements around them. Bringing the outside in is a wonderful way to do that. Found materials incorporate the surrounding nature and enhance any living space.




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