Still Going Coastal: Part II Summer Decor

by Heather

I'm continuing the Coastal Summer Decor that started last Thursday (see post 4/4/13), so let's start in the family room:

The fireplace mantel is always a challenge. It's a narrow spot that makes it difficult to decorate but it's highly visible from most of the other rooms so it needs to be "done." For summer, I've changed things up by adding a newly purchased mirror from Target which my husband so nicely stained a darker color (see original below). I added a hanging starfish to the center circle of the mirror, and a couple of starfish at the base. In front of and along side of the mirror are shells and driftwood pieces from Whidbey Island (friend Candace has a summer home there and it's become one of my favorite places to visit). The two tall coral candle holders were spray painted black by me several years ago (spray painting is my only crafty talent). 

The cool thing about the picture above is that you can see my kitchen chandelier in the mirror's reflection. It's the black and chrome one that I found at Z Gallerie several years back and they're still selling it. Not a typical kitchen chandelier but I love it in my black and white kitchen.
The small candle holders are from Michael's last year and have shells, sand, and rope surrounding the exteriors of the two different styles.

I'd like to say that I made the hanging garland of starfish but the truth is I found it at Michael's a few months ago. I'm sure it would be easy to make, but it was a lot easier to buy it already done :)
The glass sconces on either side of the fireplace are an old purchase from Pottery Barn with last year's Pottery Barn shell candles aglow.
The "rope" candles on the mantel are from Cost Plus last year.

"Before" picture of mirror below

Across the room from the fireplace is a narrow glass-topped table that functions as a buffet or drinks table when entertaining.

I found the two lamps at Target recently on clearance! Had been thinking about getting lamps for this table, and lo and behold, there they were and had the summery coastal rope already wrapped around the bases. These are the third lamp shades I've had on them; still not sure they're the right ones.

Any suggestions?

 The tray with the silver edging and rope handles is from Pottery Barn this spring. I have a smaller one in the dining room at the front of the house. Love 'em! The large glass hurricane with silver and rope is also from Pottery Barn and is the largest of three.

(See pictures of the small and middle-sized ones on the earlier post on Summer Decor)

The vintage picture on the wall was a find when friends Kent and Gloria bought a summer home in Pine, AZ. It was hanging in the house and they gave it to me (I love the kind of housewarming where the guests get the presents!). Note that I've switched out the coral silverware in the glass jar for four shell spreaders. I continually keep moving things around as the mood hits me.
Ann provided the net-encased vase on the right at our last swap party. Love it!

 The dining room table gets a coastal theme with found objects. Husband Tom made the driftwood candle holder from a branch that we discovered while kayaking with friends Kent and Gloria (yup, the same two who gave me the picture) up on the Mogollon Rim. It was a struggle to balance it on the kayak while paddling, but pretty hilarious to watch. Tom drilled the round holes just the right size for tea lites. The stack of starfish on the left came packaged this way from Target and I liked it too much to separate them.

The three glass candle holders are from Nordstrom's several years ago. The largest one is filled with bits of driftwood found on Whidbey Island as well as some "fakes" from West Elm. Pillows in the background are from Target this year.

The wooden caddy is from Decor Steals; the rattan-encased glasses and pitcher are from Williams Sonoma last year, and more of the coral-handled silverware is housed in one of the glasses.

Birdcages and rustic hurricanes grace the top of the entertainment center flanked by black vases filled with lighted pussywillow branches. I found the white coral bookends at Target last year.

The gnarled grape vine is from West Elm last year. I've seen them this year at HomeGoods, too.

A round table partially covered with fishing net next to the family room sofa gets refreshed with flowers in individual bottles wrapped with a little twine and shell. A candle burns in a bowl of shells and a small grape vine adds to the natural look.

Another new item from Pottery Barn (I wasn't kidding when I said I needed to get a job there to support my habit): the bar cart. Love the mix of wicker and steel. Could only be purchased online so I took a chance and was pleasantly surprised. It's small enough for my needs and will do well on the patio outdoors for the occasional evening entertainment. So glad it wasn't outside last Monday when we had a dust storm followed by a thunderstorm --

everything on the patio looks like it was dipped in mud.

The white and gold shell dishes are from West Elm last year; the shell bottle toppers are from Maui and the glass ball is new from Pottery Barn.

The bedrooms and bathrooms are decorated for the summer season, too, but I've made you look at enough home photos for today.

Must be time for a glass of wine. I'm raising my glass to you and wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine and happy thoughts!

Love,
Heather