Summer might be coming to an end, but you can keep that coastal feeling going. Let me show you how I decorate with seashells all year round!
She Sells Seashells By The Seashore
No, I don’t really sell seashells.
But I do collect them.
And shell art too.
In fact, I decorated with shells even before I moved to the coast.
You see, I dreamed of a home on the ocean for years. Decorating with a coastal vibe was my way of living that dream before it became a reality.
A way to keep that summer-by-the-shore feeling going all year.
Of course you don’t, however, want your home to feel out of place or out of season.
So, let me show you the trick to decorating with shells throughout the year, no matter where you live!
Shells By the Bowlful
The easiest way to add seashells to your home decor is to display them in a bowl or glass container.
There is a shell-filled antique wooden dough bowl and two small wire urns on the dresser in the corner of our living room year round.
I shared this grouping on my Instagram feed back in February 2019, my very early days on the platform. I remember filling the dough bowl and then taking a picture, then adding more shells, taking another picture, and so on… Until finally it looked right. I haven’t really touched it since!
Hint: The more shells the better! Just pile them on!
And unless you live somewhere it is warm year round, I would recommend going with a mix of lighter and darker shells. It tends to look less “beach” and more “Victorian cabinet of curiosities”. (More on this later in the post!)
There are a few containers of shells scattered around the house in other rooms. too. I love their texture, colors, and unstyled look!
Shell Art
Hanging above the dough bowl of shells is a gallery wall of shell art, mostly antique lithographs.
I was lucky to find a ready collection of these, already framed, at an estate sale in Maryland when I was decorating the original cottage here.
I have added a few other pieces through the years — a modern oil painting, two other prints, and a clay tile.
The most recent addition is a sweet watercolor of Maddie lying on the loveseat with the shell bowl and gallery wall behind her. It is by English artist Emma Wills. You can purchase her charming artwork through her Instagram account. I absolutely love the whimsy of having a painting of the scene that the painting is now in! (Minus the new artwork, of course!)
Once again, the key to keeping a collection of shell artwork like this multi-seasonal is to use pieces that are more formal and darker-toned. The natural wood and gilt frames and shells in shades of browns and blues give the artwork more substance making it feel appropriate even in the cooler months.
You can find antique, vintage, and reproduction shell prints in antiques stores and on sites such as Etsy, eBay, and Chairish.
Having a theme like this is a great way to create a gallery wall! Read more about gallery walls in my blog post Creative Wall Decor Part 1: Art and Gallery Walls.
Sailor’s Valentines
The sailor’s valentines hanging above the bed in the primary bedroom are one of my most treasured collections.
These were actually the very first thing I hung on the walls here in Maine. In our home in Maryland they graced the living room.
I get a lot of questions about this collection when I post pictures of the bedroom on Instagram.
Are you familiar with sailor’s valentines?
They are mosaic artwork fashioned from hundreds of shells and encased in an octagonal wooden frame. The geometric designs traditionally include flowers, hearts, and nautical motifs such as anchors or a compass rose. Sometimes there is a painting in the center or sentiments such as “Forget Me Not” spelled out in tiny shells.
This art form dates to the late 18th century. It was originally thought that sailors created these while out on long journeys at sea and missing their loved ones. Hence the name “sailor’s valentine”.
Now it is generally believed that the sailors bought these primarily in Barbados — often the last port of call on their way home to New England — as souvenirs or gifts for those at home.
No matter their origin, the fact remains that they are true works of art requiring creativity, patience, skill, and attention to detail.
My sailor’s valentines were all made by contemporary artists and purchased for the most part on Nantucket.
A Few Other Shell Elements in the Room
When I had the four poster bed made for the bedroom, the craftsman suggested that I add shell “finials” to the tops of the posts. This whimsical detail ties the bed perfectly to the sailor’s valentine display!
And while I change my bedding seasonally, I love that the summer Botanical Garden Relaxed-Linen bedding from Garnet Hill has a few shells in the pattern. It and the throw pillow covers I got years ago from Etsy talk to the other shell elements in a whisper, rather than a scream.
You can read all about this bedding in my blog post A Bedding-Inspired Spring Bedroom Refresh.
Victorian Shell Trinkets
Earlier in this post, I mentioned a Victorian cabinet of curiosities. These rooms or cabinets filled with antiques, objects of natural history, and art date to the 1500’s in parts of Europe, but became popular with the English upper and middle classes during the Victorian era (1837-1901).
An offshoot of this fascination with “exotica”, “shellwork” — gluing tiny shells to boxes and frames — became a pastime enjoyed by upper class ladies of leisure.
At the same time, shellwork trinkets were also being created by working class entrepreneurs as souvenirs and sold in port towns of England, France, and Holland.
I have quite a large collection of shellwork that I display on shelves in the den. Velvet-lined jewelry boxes, whimsical pointy-toed shoes, miniature furniture pieces, and glass vases, all covered in tiny shells!
My favorite piece is a tiny hutch, with shells displayed on the shelves instead of dishes. I got it at an antiques show on Nantucket, and I have never seen another like it.
I have collected these treasures for years from antiques shows, estate sales, and online sites such as Etsy.
The antique beauties are certainly special, but there are many contemporary shell boxes that are lovely too. Especially if brought back from a special trip!
Bathing Beauties
On the dresser in the bedroom I have a collection of “bathing beauties” lounging on shells and some other unique shell objects.
I tried to learn more about these charming finds, but came up empty. You can see that some of them are obviously souvenirs from vacation spots.
Again, I collected them through the years at antiques shows and online.
If any of you know their history, please share!
Shell-Shocked
The primary bedroom is also home to a number of other shell treasures.
Two large shell covered boxes and a contemporary blown glass shell.
A glass vase full of shells and coral.
A shell bowl full of, you guessed it, shells!
And some lovely bottles decorated with shells by a neighbor.
Are you feeling a bit shell-shocked at this point?
No, you don’t need to fill your home with as many shells as I have!
But if you love shells, you also don’t need to put them away just because summer is ending. After all, shells litter the beach in the winter too.
And if you carefully choose shell objects that are darker-hued and a little more “formal”, you can certainly enjoy them in your home all year round.
At the very least, they will serve as a warm reminder that summer will be back!
I hope I have convinced you to embrace these treasures from the sea, even after the temperatures drop!
This Week Into Next
I went to see the Barbie movie this week. This was the first time for me since before the pandemic, and I had forgotten how completely immersed you become in a movie on the big screen. There is no hitting pause to go get a snack. Or to look at your phone. I had actually kind of forgotten where I was when we left the theater! This is all by way of saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie!
I did a clean out of my table linens a few days ago and took two big black trash bags of napkins, tablecloths, and placemats to the resale shop at our transfer station. That felt really good! I am happy to report that three drawers are now empty in the cottage chest that the dough bowl full of shells sits on. Go me!
I need to work on my clothes next. And the “junk” closet in the front hallway….
I have a teeny sewing project that I will be working on for the kitchen. Right now I am still waiting for the fabric to arrive, but I can’t wait to share it with all of you! I loved my kitchen as it was, but it has been fun adding some more personality to it.
Sitting at the corner table in the living room writing this blog post, I just noticed that what I thought was a funky new leaf on my ZZ plant is actually a “flower”. Apparently this is “very rare”. It is also very ugly. Google it. You will see what I mean!
I have college friends coming for lunch on Monday. What should I make?!
Also, what should I write about here on my blog next week??
Enjoy these last weeks of summer and be well, friends!
Such an interesting post Molly I didn’t realize you had so many shells. EhT a fantastic collection of curiosities☺️
Hi Ann! Yes, I have been collecting shells and shell art and trinkets for years! I guess I am a curious person, ha!
Great post!
Thanks for reading it!
Enjoyed seeing your collections! I love shells and have a huge container full of them, separated into plastic bags. Many of them were my mother’s from our walks on the beach in the 60s. I think you have convinced me I should keep some of them out all year. We shall see.
Hi Vicki! Your shells would be beautiful displayed — especially since they carry memories for you. I say do it! Why not?!
Thanks for all of the interesting information! It was particularly interesting to learn about the English women. It reminds me of the picture frame I decorated by hot gluing small shells all over it, for Mom and Dad after their 50th anniversary celebration. I almost burned my fingers off.
Hi Liss! Hot glue guns are dangerous! There were more details on the website I got the information from — there was a store in London where they would get their supplies. There were even kits with directions on which shells to put where!
I don’t know where your friends are coming from, but you can’t go wrong serving New England favorites for lunch. Lobster rolls if it’s hot outside, clam or seafood chowder if it’s a chilly day. Round out the chowder with some homemade bread and a salad, blueberry pie for dessert.
That does sound delicious! Thanks for the suggestions!
Molly, I enjoy your blog and reading about your life in Maine. I’m originally from outside of Philadelphia but spent my Summers at my Grandmother’s in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. As a young girl, my Grandma & I would comb the beach after everyone left the shoreline for dinner. Oh, the treasures we would find. Fast forward to later in my life when my Air Force husband got an assignment in the Panama Canal zone. It was during those years that I discovered minus low tides & the art of shelling with other Air Force wives. We would climb over the rocks & scoop up all kinds of treasures. We would study the moon charts & plan our outings accordingly. I became addicted to shelling & displaying them throughout my house. To this day I still have a couple of large apothecary jars filled with some favorites. I couldn’t learn about the different types of shells found in the Pacific Ocean fast enough. At some point I stumbled on the Sailor’s valentines & bought a beautiful white on white design which I gave to my husband for Valentine’s day one year. Since his passing I treasure it immensely. Only in my dreams do I allow myself to have a collection like yours. So thank you for sharing it & perhaps one day I’ll stumble on another one to add to my collection. BTW, thanks to the Air Force, my husband & I ended his career in Florida & although I went through a stage of beach decor I did tire of it. All but in my office where I have those couple containers of shells. I like your thinking of using some darker pieces to make it Victorian instead of pastel & beachy. I may need to rethink my office……hmmmm.
Hi Beverly! Thank you for reading my post and taking the time to reach out and share your stories. What adventures you have had! I have only collected a few shells myself. The New England beaches do not have the exotic beauties! I certainly treasure my collection of sailor’s valentines. Yours sounds beautiful and special too! Definitely think about going less beach and enjoying your shells more! Be well!
Oh Molly…. the valentine set is just beautiful. It’s a pleasure to look at them and feel wonderful.
Thank you Susie! They are a delight to my eye! I am so happy you appreciate them too!
The more shells around the house the better!! I have them everywhere, and have been known to sell some….sometimes!
Hi Melissa! You can see from the photos that I wholeheartedly agree!
Hi Molly. As a fairly newcomer to the Midcoast area, I really love reading your blog. You mentioned once about getting slipcovers made for your furniture. I was wondering if you could recommend a company for this? I have a sleeper sofa that I need to either get reupholstered or find a well-fitting slipcover for.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Lynne! So happy you are enjoying my blog! A woman in Lincolnville/Searsmont makes my slipcovers. Where are you located?
another great post! thanks! i just love your shell collections. i obviously need to remember to spend more time in the den though of course i have loved your treasures there. and those sailors valentines are so amazing. since i have done mosaics, i can imagine the work that goes into them. i love your tips for using shells year around though if i love something i just keep it out and dont worry! your shell collections are amazing!
amy
Thanks, Amy! I keep what I like out year round too. So many people talk about putting their shells away this time of year and I want to encourage them to keep them out!
Molly! Your shell and shell art collection is AMAZING! You have so many fun and creative ways to display all your treasures. Your home is truly a work of art … and I’m a huge admirer. Doesn’t it feel good to get a few drawers cleared out? Hope to hear what you decided on for lunch! xo
Hi Juliet! Thank you for your kind words! I have been collecting shells and shell trinkets for a while! I am sharing my lunch menu in my blog this week!
So beautiful!
Thanks, Stacy! I have just a bit of a thing for shells, haha!
Molly, I am behind, but finally got a chance to sit and enjoy your beautiful posts. Wow I love your shell collection. Those sailor’s valentines are really special! You’ve done such a great job displaying all of it with your pretty mix of decor. It looks fresh and fun.
I loved the Barbie movie. I agree nothing like seeing a film and getting immersed in it ! You can’t do that at home.
I hope you have fun with your college pals! Yay you for cleaning out. How nice you have a resale shop to drop the nicer ones.
Hope you have a great week!
Thanks, Kim! I do love my shells, and particularly the sailors valentines. Thanks for saying it looks fresh — I sometimes wonder with all the old stuff I have around here, haha! It felt good to clear some things out! Have a great week!