“The winds, the sea, and the moving tides are what they are. If there is wonder and beauty and majesty in them, science will discover these qualities... If there is poetry in my book about the sea, it is not because I deliberately put it there, but because no one could write truthfully about the sea and leave out the poetry.” ~ Rachel Carson, marine biologist and author of The Sea Around Us.
Good morning!
I hope you are doing well and staying healthy and finding some poetry in your life. If you are feeling a bit of wanderlust...you are not alone! Can't travel to the beach this summer? Don't despair...we are sharing ways you can bring the beach to your home with several simple DIY projects, tablescape inspiration, and paint colors that will meet all your beach loving desires!
These glass insulators were the inspiration for this newsletter. The beautiful aqua color reminded me of the beach and so that became the theme for today.
We surprisingly found these insulators at the wholesale flower market in Portland, OR. They were two dollars apiece and they were just too beautiful to leave behind.
They have been sitting in our wood shop waiting to be paired with a piece of wood to make a candle holder...but...I recently kidnapped them for our patio to add a pop of summer color.
If you are curious about the history of glass insulators you will find an informative article here.
Coastal Decorating
Let’s start with the table.
Gather items from your home that are colors of the sea.
This is the perfect opportunity to use the shells and other objects you collected from previous trips to the beach.
Vintage mason jars are a great substitute for glass insulators...they are virtually the same color!
You can use my 5 easy step process for creating a tablescape...but...you can also use this general process to decorate a coffee table, a storage hutch, or the top of your bedroom dresser.
1) Choose a theme....Coastal
2) Find an anchor....Linen table runner
3) Add a focal point and accessories....birch twig, rope candleholders, glass insulators...
...shells, and sea glass
4) Include something fresh....lambs ear
...and dusty miller
Note: I chose these plants for their soft color and texture...the dusty miller reminded me of coral. I also added a few fabulous faux grass-like plants for additional color.
5) Mix and match dishes for each place setting ...Style one: rope charger layered with blue bubble and white plates.
Style two: burlap placemat with a white linen napkin as the charger layered with blue bubble plates and aqua lids from the mason jars.
Vintage glass jar lids are perfect for holding a piece of fruit or cheese depending on your menu.
Linen napkins are always a good idea...especially topped with a fun decoration like this DIY rope knot.
Mix and match flatware to your mood...black, copper, gold, silver., white...use anything you like!
Burlap is a good choice for anything "beachy". You can DIY placemats by cutting burlap into 18" x 12" pieces...then pull a few threads on all sides to make a little fringe.
Use a piece of rope to tie napkin rings...
...or...use baskets or other small containers to hold linens for buffet style dining.
Fill glass jars with sand, sea glass, and small shells and a votive candle…
...or...fill them with water and add a floating candle....either way... you have instant candle light for romantic dining.
Small drawstring bags make wonderful party favors...family members/guests can take them to the beach and collect shells. (not at the beach....hide a few shells in your backyard and have a treasure hunt!)
Challenge everyone to find a heart shaped stone!
Share your treasures during the next meal.
This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter.
Read the full article and all the instructions for our DIY