Design a Bathroom with a Seaside Flare Incorporating Handmade Goodies!

I love clean coastal and shabby beach chic look. You capture the essence of a Nantucket beach cottage in your own home that can fit into virtually any budget.  A couple of years ago I discovered this fantastic paint by Benjamine Moore called Aura... which is all we use now.  This is - in most cases - a one coat paint that goes on like butter and the quality is superb with low-VOC that is good for the environment and you!  To learn more about the paint you can visit your local paint store or the Benjamine Moore website.  This paint will run you about $60+ for a gallon - but it is well worth the investment. 

When painting your bathroom you will want the Benjamine Moore Aura Bath & Spa Matte finish paint.  This paint will not run or streak when humidity hits your walls like many paints can... and now have a matte finish in your bathroom with Aura paint.  A good tip when painting is to give a fresh coat to the ceiling so it doesn't appear dingy once you have repainted the room.

To me, beadboard is very beachy.  I really like the look of white beadboard in a bathroom with a chair rail or molding that separates the painted wall from the beadboard.

Walls = Benjamine Moore Aura Paint in Jamaican Aqua

Beadboard = Benjamine Moore Aura Paint in Snow White

There a many ways to accessorize a space without spending a fortune.  A great way to do this is to shop for handmade items.  Not only are you supporting your local artists... you are also reducing your carbon footprint.  There are many sources online to shop for handmade goodies.  Two of my favorite are 1000Markets and Etsy.  Below are a list of handmade items found that will compliment this design and color choice above (or any variation) - just click on the picture and it will take you to the storefront of that handmade item!

Original artwork and photography can brighten up lonely walls...

 Seahorse Painting by KarinGrow

Photographs by Modern Classics Paper

Starfish and sea inspired wall hooks for towels and beadboard towel racks compliment the beadboard walls.

 

Starfish Wall Hook by Monkey and Squirrel

 Beadboard Towel Racks by JLJ Designs

To accompany those towel racks and hooks you need to dry off with luxurious handmade linens.

        

        

PESHTEMAL Towels by Turkish Bath

Floor and tabletop accents tie a room together with bathmats, soaps, mirrors, window treatments and accessories... don't forget to top it off with some funky cabinet knobs!

       

Recycled T-Shirt Rug by Talking Squid

 

 Shabby Cottage Style Boxes by The Broken House

Ocean Shea Butter Soap by Sherri's Scents and Soys

Sea Shell Soaps by Annie's Powder Room

Ceramic Abalone Shell Soap Dish by Salt and Earth

 

Naturally Scented Soy Candles by Sawgrass Candles

Beach Cove Shea Butter by Tropical Bomb

  

  

Sea Glass Cabinet Knobs by Beachy Rustica

  

Starfish Mirror and Starfish Garland by Beach Grass Cottage

Putting all of these mouthwatering items together will truly create a seaside spa oasis!

The Sea Glass Ornament

I was fortunate enough to have Diane Colvin Reitz, Author of The Sea Glass Ornament, to contact me in early January of this year.  Diane offered to send me a copy of her recently published book for review.  Due to my love for sea glass and the coast.... of course I said yes!  Not only is a sea glass ornament a focal point in her story - but it takes place on the coast of Georgia with memories of Round Pond, Maine scattered throughout.  The story is about love, loss and finding beauty and love where you least expect it.  Below I have included bits and pieces of my conversation with Diane over the past couple of months. 

SGT: I wanted to let you know that both my mother and I have read your book.  We LOVED it!!!  I was so sad to reach the final page as the story of Ollie and Hike's journey left me wanting more.  It was so beautifully written and the words easily painted pictures in my mind as if I were living Ollie's life through her eyes.  I was wondering if Cora was related to you and/or a real person from your life... as I noticed you both have the same name of Colvin - or if that was just the name you decided to give the character.  It was such a bittersweet story.... to remind us that we are never alone in this life... in the afterlife... and love is never out of reach.

DCR: Cora Code Colvin was my grandmother.  The sea glass image for me is very important in the story because sea glass is formed from the constant churning and upheaval of the sea - and this process, produces great beauty.  Yes, I wish the book was longer too, but it kinda finished itself.

SGT:  I loved the fact that the story left you wanting more... superb!  So... the question I have wanted to ask... was this book based on a true story?

DCR: The book is fiction.  However, Cora Code Colvin is my grandmother's real name and Round Pond, Maine is my favorite real place in the whole world.  I have found great sea glass when the tide goes way out along the coastline.  I am really a poet and this book was my first published prose.  The story is to convey the beauty of humanity - and that is truly real.

I have enjoyed this opportunity to get to know this amazing author and read this truly beautiful book.  Pick it up... grab a cup of coffee and totally immerse yourself in the characters... it won't take long and you won't want to put it down until you finish!

The Sea Glass Ornament can be found at Goose River Press (scroll to the bottom of the main page) and Amazon.com.

                          Sea Glass Ornaments by Sea Glass Things

Completely Coastal Offers a Coastal Decor Giveaway by Beach Grass Cottage

Visit Completely Coastal to enter a beach decor giveaway! Beach Grass Cottage is having a drawing for a $40 gift certificate to their store!  Visit the Completely Coastal site for rules of entry.  Hurry - because this ends February 17th! Good Luck!

Click the image below to and follow the directions for entering!

New Work: Sea Glass Wreaths and Tabletop Decor

Last summer I started to create wreaths and tabletop decor items using sea glass, shells and other beach found objects.  Though beautiful, these take many hours to complete and a lot of sea glass, therefore, I only make them once in a while now. They are fun to do and I love the end result!