Beachy Wall Art

It’s the middle of Summer and if you’re like me, Summer brings to mind fun in the sun, sand, beach, water and sunblock. I love living near the beach and have found myself adding beachy elements to my home throughout the few years I have been next to the coast in sunny southern California.  I have collected tons of beautiful blue and gray beach stones to fill vases and jars, adding driftwood and beach grass throughout my home to add the natural beach element to my space.   But, note that my house is not one large beach hut.  No, in fact, my space is clean lined and modern with just touches of the beachiness to soften and soothe.  Like everything else, too much of a good thing isn’t good at all and to avoid having your home looking like a seafood restaurant or beach themed inn, it is important to use restraint and add just enough of this look to conjure up summertime vacations on the beach.  And you don’t have to live in southern California to incorporate some “beachiness” into your abode.   If you want to add this look to your home in small doses, the addition of beach inspired art and accessories can inject just the right amount of this beautiful, natural aesthetic into your space, even those that are the most modern.

The color palette of the beach consists of blues, grays, beiges, creams, dark browns and blacks.  All neutral shades that can work in any interior.  Again, this color palette and natural appeal can look amazing in even the most contemporary homes.  In fact, it’s probably my preferred setting to add beachy art in order to achieve the perfect mix of modern, natural, and rustic.  Here are some examples of how beach inspired art can freshen up a room and bring the beach to your home through little touches:

This starfish mirror juxtaposed against the elegant credenza makes for a beautiful beach entry.  Coupled with the clean lined bowl and matching lamps, the mirror provides just a smidgen of beach to this small space.

I could stay in this peaceful bedroom forever.  It feels like an island getaway doesn’t it?!  Placing a series of coordinated beach prints together with matching frames, creates a dynamic focal wall in this room.  Hanging the pieces in a grid is a modern approach to this art collection.  Surrounded by neutral shades of cream, crisp linens, and transitional furniture, this beach art series becomes part of a fresh and contemporary setting.

Another wall series touting lovely beach appeal and its inspiring colors.  This coral art series is a sophisticated collection that inspires the bright turquoise painted chair.  It looks fantastic with the raffia wallcovering and matchstick blinds.  A perfect example of texture, pops of color, clean lines mixed with pattern (as seen in chair) and elegant furnishings.  This lovely appointed office incorporates the beach look perfectly.

Creating your own beach inspired artwork is a fun and simple way to customize the look for your home.  This next example is one of my absolute favorite ideas.  It is sculptural, modern, and textural and adds the right amount of natural beach to this otherwise neutral and simple room.

A clever, inexpensive alternative to purchased sculpture, mounting found driftwood on the wall is brilliance.  It makes a subtle statement in this living room and helps to unify all the colors and textures seen in this space.  The combination of crisp white walls with pale wood furnishings, texture, and a little sparkle just does it for me!    Love.

This framed sea fan adds graphic punch to this dining area.  Although a beachy element, this sea fan fits in remarkably well with its more contemporary, stream lined counterparts such as the camel leather dining chairs and sleek chrome table.   It’s also a pretty simple DIY project.  Mounting the sea fan on a backing board or mat and selecting your frame style produces a modern, custom art piece.  Here are a couple of additional DIY examples using framed sea fans:

Finally, one last DIY beach art project that introduces a beach feel to your home is framing vintage or vintage inspired beach polaroids or post cards.  You can find polaroids and postcards at a lower price point through places such as Etsy.  Or, have fun scouting flea markets and antique shops on your own personal treasure hunt for beach prints.   Here are some of my favorite new prints:

Celebrate the beach by adding its allure to your home through art and accessories.  Get creative and create your own for the most custom approach.  We would love to hear your ideas about beachy art and how you have added it to your space!

{Image Credits: Studio Surface, Decorpad, West Elm, Jena Ardell Photography}

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Share via MySpace
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend
• Print for later