Simple Design Ideas to Bring Home the Beach

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

15 Oct 2007 09:47 AM

Now that the cooler weather is starting to set in, why not hold on to summer just a little longer with a breezy beach design? I love the feel of a summer design. The colors are soft and crisp, and the mood is definitely carefree and serene. It is an especially nice design choice for a bedroom, where you can dream long of your summer at the shore.

Here are some ways to incorporate beach-like design elements that will charm you. Let's start with color. Choose crisp whites, the light blues of a summer sky and the delicate pinks of beach sand or new shells. Don't be surprised if you find yourself barefoot.

For furniture, paint it lightly with a coat of white. Allow any signs of aging to show through the paint, giving your furniture a nice weathered look that is casual.

Folding stools can be topped with striped canvas in white and red or white and blue for a nautical touch.

Add some simple pictures of boats. For a whimsical touch, have a child draw them with crayons of blue, red and yellow. Then frame in weathered wooden frames.

Fill clear jars with soft tan sand. Add a handful of tiny shells that will glide and shift through the sand whenever anyone picks them up.

Use shells to trim photo frames. Larger ones can line window sills, bookcases, or become displays on any flat surface.

Woven grass cloth is wonderful. Add this cloth to walls and floor for a natural down at the beach look. Jute rugs are another nice choose to bring the beach in the room without bringing in the sand.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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