Found Materials Make Great Ponte Vedra Beach Home Accessories

By William Gray


Living by the ocean is something a lot of people would love to do, but few manage to achieve. Those who are lucky enough to have homes on the coast usually decorate them in ways that reflect their surroundings. Whether they live in large residences on stilts or tiny bungalows in the dunes, homeowners can often be found scouring the pages of designer magazines and blogs for the perfect Ponte Vedra beach home accessories.

Most don't think about windows being an accessory, but they are an important design element for houses overlooking the sand and sea. Many builders emphasize light by installing floor to ceiling windows that don't require coverings. Others like to incorporate leaded and colored glass panes to produce interesting images. They encourage homeowners to bring the exterior palette inside by reproducing the hues and tones of nature.

Most designers suggest owners paint interior walls in some shade of white, ocean blue, or aqua. A lot of homeowners use a neutral palette for furnishings and accessories. Others incorporate splashes of color into their designs, but are careful to limit their choices to a maximum of three accent colors. Pink, green, coral, and purple make good choices.

Accessorizing with found materials is a wonderful way to incorporate nature into design. The strategic use of driftwood is something designers suggest. How the wood is used is up to the taste of the homeowner, but many love the look of end tables and coffee tables that include driftwood bases. They can be easily topped with glass to make an elegant, interesting, and functional piece of furniture. Various pieces of driftwood can be mounted onto walls to become artwork as well.

Beachfront homeowners don't have to go to the mall to find great items to accessorize their homes. It can be as simple as a walk on the beach. Sand dollars, shells, starfish, and pebbles can enhance the decor of any room. Whether shells are living or dead, like starfish and sand dollars, they have to be carefully cleaned. Unpleasant smells can result if these items are simply placed on a tables without thorough scouring.

Nautical themes are popular decorating themes in ocean side homes, and they are easy to accessorize. Boats come in all shapes and sizes, and lovers of these vessels often have particular favorites. Collections are be housed in curio cabinets or placed on mantels or shelves. In keeping with the nautical decor, knotted rope, ship wheel, and anchor designs make effective reinforcements of the ship motif.

Most designers discourage the use of chintz, or other flowery materials that are reminiscent of a country estate, for houses located by the ocean. Distressed and painted furniture are more appropriate. Small distressed chests and interesting pottery make great accessories. Bottles strung together and hung will reflect light and take advantage of the breezes that always come off the ocean. They can be left in their natural state or be painted.

People who are lucky enough to live by the ocean should take advantage of the elements around them. Bringing the outside in is a wonderful way to do that. Found materials incorporate the surrounding nature and enhance any living space.




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