Summer Cottage Nautical Home Decorating
A classic cottage bungalow decorated for Summertime in red, white and nautical navy blue. White walls, dark wood floors and neutral furnishing allow for simple décor changes to reflect the changing seasons.
Hello and happy Summer! We are loving our weather this season here on the coast. It’s been sunny, mild and pure heaven. The flowers on the deck are blooming like crazy and we’ve been working outside getting things ready for our 4th of July bash.
We’ve been working inside too! My mom is here visiting from Southern California and a few days ago we went and got all patriotic on my living room. With a pinch of nautical inspired by my new friend.
Isn’t he the cutest thing?
Can whales be cute? I think they can! I just love his fat little navy self. He is chunky and round and perfectly pre-weathered with his scuffed up deep navy paint.
When he arrived and I opened him, he was even better than I imagined.
My mom and I went out hunting last week and had a grand time looking for just the right books for him to hold. We came across some books that had dedications written in them… and even saw my grandmothers name, which is really rare! We settled on these for their unique qualities that spoke to us. Like the titles and the pages edged in red and navy.
And the low, low prices.
I’m no rare book collector, so it was all about the vibe.
I skipped a super cool one that was $30+
So, I’m thinking by now you have deduced that I got a set of book ends I didn’t need…
and then bought books.
To decorate with.
Yes.. it’s a little frivolous, but my house is kind of like my hobby and decorating makes me happy.
It always has. I’ve been fluffing and fixing as long as I can remember.
I do need to spill though, that as cute as he is, we did briefly consider drilling a blow hole in him so he could hold a flag.
Seriously, we did. hahaha…
We settled on a flag book marker instead. It’s a wee bit less invasive.
(he secretly thanked us)
While I was up in Eugene to pick-up my mom from the airport, we did a little shopping. You know HomeGoods was calling to me! Once inside, the pillow isle sucks me in. Every time. The red anchor pillow with the rope trim was a “had to come home with me” find. It’s so… festive and jaunty! Plus Jim was in the Navy, so nautical is always a little extra meaningful at our house.
Plus, I figured by the time I cut out 7 anchors, made a pillow and trimmed it with rope, I would be 947 years old.. so I went pre-made. My inner DIY’er thanked me… as did my inner pillow whore.
We all know I am, I can admit it.
My house is a bit hodge-podge. You might notice I’ll pair brand new, with a .50 cent thrift store find. I buy what I like. No rhyme or reason… just things that make me smile, catch my eye… or interest me.
Sometimes I buy things and don’t use them right away, but tuck them aside until I’ve got a few things, that when put together tell a story or evoke a feeling.
My Copper pots are a perfect example! I had no idea what I’d do with them when I got them… but they were shiny. Another pick-up that happened when my om was with me. Also at HomeGoods.
My mom must be my “Home Goods Luck Charm”.
We are all ready to celebrate and looking forward to some fireworks and fun!! xo, Shannon
SOURCES:
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Whale Book Ends: similar [click here]
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Red Anchor Pillow: HomeGoods
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White Lanterns: HomeGoods
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Red Paisley Pillows: Ross
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Vintage Flag: Estate Sale
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Copper Pot: HomeGoods
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Red, White & Blue Bottle Brush Trees: Leaf’s Tree House (Coos Bay, Or)
Kim@todayismysome-day says
Ok, I just picked the first name to pop into my head 🙂
Wilbur! He’s a cutie!
Vicki Lowe says
I like Wally the Whale!! Thanks for the opportunity.
Lyn says
I like Dale the whale
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
hmm.. I”m going with “Sushi” I mean, come on! They already chopped him in half! 😉 (I love him by the way! Fingers crossed!)
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
OhMGee. tha got a snort laugh out of me when I got to “they already chopped him in half. Bwah hahahaha
Steph @ The Silly Pearl says
I asked my girls, they said Whaley.
Kathryn says
I know it sounds like cheating, but the name “Moby” was the first thing in my head, even before I saw his Birch Lane designation 🙂
Kim says
Shannon, I don’t have a name, but must say this room looks awesome!! I would be 947 years old too if I tried to make that pillow. So ca-ute!
Jackie Tetzlaff says
Such an inviting room! Love the pillows. Red, white, and blue -my all time favorite decor! Henry would be a great name for a whale! Good luck to all.
Gina says
Just read newer comments and see someone also mentioned Willy! Ooops.
Gina says
I love the way you have decorated your den! That is the cutest set of bookends I have ever seen! I have a whale very similar to yours yet he is one piece and a lighter blue color with the cutest face. I’d love to win a companion for him! I’ve wracked by brain for a clever name but feel there are so many great ones already mentioned. What about Willy…..as in “Free(dom) Willy”
Renee Richardson says
I love him and I think he is perfect. I love the name Bertram. It sounds so distinguished. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway 🙂
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
Leigh Anne Borders says
The name that comes to me is Blu! I do not know why exactly but it looks good for him.
Diana says
The bookends are adorable!! I love the anchor pillow too, such great decor for the Summertime.
Colleen Crawford says
If he had a blowhole you could call him Back-splash! (I was trying so hard to be clever, but I am on East Coast time and I am tired.) He is so freakin’ cute! LOVE the room!
pam h. says
Her name is Penelope!