Hello island lovelies and welcome to a brand new week, the sun is shining the hibiscus are out and this week promises many wonderful things for Oceania, and of course you too I hope.
We’re kicking things off on a creative note today as we explore a couple of cute ways you can display your coastal treasures.
When I first showed this creative concept last Christmas it was an instant hit, so here it is again transformed.
I bought an inexpensive plywood jewellery box that has 9 cute square compartments and all contained with a glass lid on top – perfect for a tabletop presentation box or you could hang it on the wall as a gallery style shadow box, either way I love it because it’s small, interchangeable and keeps the pesky dust at bay. Effectively it takes India Hick’s printers palette idea one step further.
This time around I have added some of my own island treasures, shells and pebbles collected along the way over continents, countries and shorelines. I love the contrast between the light coloured shells and the rich, dark chocolate of the stained wood.
It gives this small natural collection an historical feel that could easily sit within a grand plantation home or a small beach style cottage.
Now, lets take this creative concept a step further. Many of you will have seen the pletheura of ornamental bird cages out there. Our dear little tweeties homes have so been in vogue.
Well, what exactly do you do with an empty bird cage?
Well I tried adding shells. An interesting mix for sure and a complete and utter experiment. My little bird cage is only 10 x 10cm sq, so this concept is on a small scale trial, however, there is something about it that is strangely curious and interesting at the same time.
It would be interesting to see if anyone else has tried to experiment with displaying shells, other than the ubiquitous hurricane vessels, baskets etc.
I hope I’ve inspired you all a little to get creating, think outside the square and push those coastal bounderies!
Happy Island Styling & Creating.
I am a shell addict. We visit Sanibel Island, Florida a lot and the shelling there is fabulous. I have them in a glass lamp, massed on silver trays, in vases, bowls, you name it. I think they are like pieces of art. You have a wonderful collection and I love the jewelry box idea!
Hi Kathy, thanks I love shells too. I’ve been collecting them all my life and I don’t think it’ll ever stop. I love your idea of shells on silver trays, that sounds gorgeous. I would love to visit Sanibel Island, I keep reading about it, it sounds wonderful. Have a gorgeous day Kathy and thank you for visiting Oceania Island Living. Zoe x
I display my shell collection in a large Indonesian glazed pot with a glass top. I use it as a coffee table.