Thursday, February 11, 2010

Decorating with Shells

It's fun to work a few vacation mementos into your home and it gets a little easier when you live in Florida.

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I LOVE the ocean...I am drawn to the sea and finding seashells is one of my favorite things.

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We had this piece of furniture in our guest room in NC and decided to bring it to Florida to place in our small foyer.

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I am still hoping to find the perfect painting or mirror to place over it but

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I like to take my time and find something perfect and

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maybe even unexpected.

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It has a little display area in the top so I filled it with shells!

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These are some of the shells we found on Jekyll Island. Can you find the duck in the photo?

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I was telling my son over the phone that there were not many shells on the beach and

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he started saying that was too bad....

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but I quickly said, There were not many shells but

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the ones that were there were amazing!

This is the first big conch shell I have ever found!

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And we saw at least a HUNDRED LIVE sand dollars on the beach!

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You should NOT pick those up and disturb them! But I found a few 'dead' ones! lol

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Enjoy your day!

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This is just a part of one but look at the detail!

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Decorate your home with things that you love!

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, I love your collection of shells. I have always been a nut for shell. Heheh a nut for shells. I didn't plan that. I have a jar of shells but I love your star fish and conch shells and Oh, your sand dollars are wonderful. Did you collect them yourself. It seem that the Florida beachs would be packed with shells if you could find an isolated beach that everyone hasn't already scavenged.
Another good reason to live in Florida.
I meant to ask, Do you only stay in Florida for the winter months?

Unknown said...

I meant to add, I love your cabnet or chest of drawers. I have the perfect picture to go over it. You could always let me borrow it and I will hang this picture over it. Heheh. I will send you a photo of it.

Anonymous said...

How nice!My girls and I decorated Sea shells in the past when they were little.I had a collection then but not anymore.I loved doing it.They turned out lovely.


Thanks for bringing back some happy memories for me today!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

A perfect Florida decorating idea. They look lovely in the top of your cabinet. Are you going to add a shell mirror above it? Perfect!
xoxo
Donna

Unknown said...

Dearest Queen of the Beach...
Those mighty fine shells could be put on your crown for sure! Played catch up with you for the last few days. I adore that picture of your husband and Lizzie makes me smile. Envelope in the mail to you from a Queen up here in Washington!

Barb said...

Hi Diane, the shells are all wonderful. As you might have expected, I have gathered many shells over the years living in Florida.

Love the chest too. Happy Valentines Day!!

Barb ♥

Freckled Hen said...

As I write you on this gray, snowy day I am humbled by your shells. How lucky you are to have walked the beach and found such beautiful things! I can't imagine doing this. Spring and Summer seem so far off.
Your pictures are stunning--so clear and crisp.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diane,
Oh I love your shells and the details are amazing. I did see the duck. What a treasure to find. Either way, standing or feeding, you can see a duck from the shape of that shell.

The little cabinet is gorgeous. What a terrific place to display shells in the top section. So unique!
Lizzie is just gorgeous and looks so real. I love how she holds the Valentine. Also your Valentine collage is darling with the pic of your hubby when little.

Thank you for stopping by. The remodel is on hold today, but coming along. I know what you mean about wall paper.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Those shells are all so beautiful! I love the way you have them displayed. That cabinet is so cool!

XOXO
Jen

Twyla and Lindsey said...

That chest is beautiful and the shells are perfect in the top. It's all just beautiful! Have a nice day! Twyla

Vee said...

Your collection is wonderful! I love how you've displayed them. No, I never did see the duck!

Brenda Pruitt said...

That is absolutely gorgeous! I am inspired! But I don't live near a beach. And I have to buy shells. They aren't nearly as pretty. You go, girlfriend!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

I love shells, too. But I am a bit crazy when it comes to shells. I love the one that are broken and smoothed by water and sand. I think they look like remains of something from ancient times.
But I don't have so beautiful shells as you have. Mine are much more boring. So, I pack them in jars and put them on my shelfs.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Me too, I love sea shells. Finding them is the best they are more meaningful. I love your display in the cabinet,I think the shells look perfect in there.
Take care and enjoy your valentines weekend!
Hugs, Elizabeth

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

How awesome to walk the beach and collect shells!! That is so peaceful and relaxing! Your shells are way cool and what to "live" sand dollars look like? Do they have legs?
I enjoyed seeing your collection.
Warmly,
Deb :)

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Diane,

I love your collection of shells, always makes for a pretty show.
I find if you go after a storm, there are often a lot more lovely shells on the beach.

Hugs
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Your collection is fabulous, and Your son is right they are amazing! suzie xxx

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Diane...

Oooh...what a beautiful piece of furniture! Love all that gorgeous wood! It's absolutely perfect for displaying some of your fabulous shell collection! Sooo very pretty, my friend! I really enjoyed looking at some of your collection...you are absolutely right about the duck! hehe! You know, I lived near Corpus Christi for about 30 yrs. and never really found many shells! I always thought that strange! What a treasure to find a conch shell...it's beautiful!!!

Well my friend, thank you so much for coming by and taking a peek at my Beloved Valentine table and for leaving me such a sweet note! I really enjoyed it!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

joyh82 said...

Wow those are some beautiful shells! Have a great Valentines
Day!

JG said...

The wood on the chest of drawers is so pretty. And it also has a display top. Perfect!

The shells are neat with dainty Sand Dollars.

Just Between Us Girls said...

OOOh my gosh...such refreshing and beautiful photographs...captivating.
Really grand since all we have is snow and more snow. It makes me long for summer days at the beach.
Thank you for doing such a terrific job with these incredible shells.
Love it.
Pat

Beedeebabee said...

Your shell collection is beautiful! I love those sand dollars! xoxo

Hege-Annie Simonsen said...

I love your collection of sea shells! :) Sea shells brings back many good childhood memories. :)

Thank you for your note on me winning your OWOH giveaway! I am so happy! :)
I have mailed you my address.
I wish you a wonderful day!!

Love, Hege

Steph said...

Don't you just love shells!

Carole said...

We rarely find whole sand dollars on our beaches here...The weather is simply too rough.

Hubby and I visited Florida long ago and have longed to visit again. We spent our time (hubby was on business) in the Tampa area, but didn't have near enough time to explore all that we wanted to.

I still have the sea biscuit and a few other shells that I bought to bring home.