We’re on vacation! Yes, we’re taking a few weeks to enjoy summer and our families so we’ll be posting a little less. While we’ll still be offering you some helpful tips, we’ll be paring it back a bit during our break. You’ll enjoy some fun “eye candy” posts and some reminders of great articles we’ve written that you might have missed. We hope you’re also enjoying time with your families this summer!

Go Nautical for Summer!

Nautical stylings are most often used for beach homes or vacation homes. But a little bit of a nautical motif can add some color or whimsy to a staid room. It can be lighthearted and cute or sophisticated and elegant; it can hit you over the head or be subtle. Nautical motifs include just about anything to do with boats, water, or the beach. (Think seashells, lighthouses, palm trees, boats of any kind, oars, netting, and definitely blue and white!) Let’s take a look at how that might work in a home….

Blue and white stripes definitely feel nautical; photo via Country Living.com

Using mirrors to replicate the idea of portholes is a clever idea; photo via Coastal Living.com

Just using a few themed pieces can give a room a subtle nautical feeling; photo via RafterTales.com

One strong element like the boat wheel can direct the style of the room; photo via Interior-Design-For.com

A more subtle color palette makes for a restful, weathered beach feeling; photo via TheCastingDock.com

Photo via CoastalLiving.com; photographer Tria Giovan

If you’d rather not embrace nautical style in your home, take it outside with bright blues and whites, maybe a seashell pillow or two and you’ll evoke the seashore every time you use your patio!