Monday, July 28, 2014

Goin' Beachy

Just before we left on vacation, I created a beach theme in the living room.


 It all started when Steve found this old Tic Tac Toe board in the garage - I painted it years ago and it obviously has seen better days.


And, who would think that this old board would trigger changes in the living room.


A quick paint job changed the Tic Tac Toe board from Americana to nautical.


We have tons of "found" sand dollars from our beach, but a bicycle ride to the harbor was necessary to buy tiny starfish.


With the Tic Tac Toe Board sitting on the cedar chest/coffee table, the entire room seemed to need a beach motif.


First up was to decorate the mantel with favorite seaside treasures to accompany a painting Steve did last year of Hanalei Bay, Kauai.


The seaglass is particularly special because every piece is a find from our beach and we treasure the few blue pieces we have collected.


Across the room, a special display of shells from the Maldives adorns a chest next to Steve's chair - we should probably swap out the cityscape for a beach themed painting, but I love the colors in the buildings in downtown Los Angeles.


I moved a metal stand from my craft room to the living room


and added shell touches to each tier.


I had planned to write this post while we were on vacation, but my son's computer died the day we arrived on Kauai and he needed mine because unfortunately he had to work a little each day.


Instead, I took photos of the scenery,


and flowers in every color of the rainbow.


 I also looked for shells on the beach


which I promptly put on display in the dining room.


It's good to be home from vacation, "playing house" and keeping the beach theme going.

..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..

In addition to trying to catch up with 10 days of reading your blog posts and responding to comments, I will be partying at:

Our Home Away From Home - Tuesdays @ Our Home

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Dwellings - the Heart of Your Home - Amaze Me Monday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

49 comments:

  1. Welcome home from the island, Carol! We must've just passed each other. I returned on the 18th (and it now feels like ages ago I just said to my husband this am).

    I love your theme you're keeping going. I also cherish every piece of glass I collect from the shores. I always take each piece, then later decide if it's tumbled enough to keep or toss, as they're not easy to come by (in my experience).

    It's hard getting back into a groove, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed with all the posts missed. I'm still catching up!

    Have a great week.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your beachy themed living room! You have some beautiful shells, all the whitewashed furniture and cotton fabrics look great! Love the few shots of your vacation too. Enjoy your week! Wendy x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your beach theme. Also love those heart shaped seashells. I am a collector of heart shape things as you know.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your beach theme is looking great! I love your tic-tac-toe board with the sand dollars and starfish. It's so cute! You sure got some great photos on your recent trip to HI. And, I can't believe how many shells you found that are shaped like hearts! They're so cute! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like you had a lovely vacation. You sure were surrounded by beauty everywhere. I love the little heart shaped seashells you found and they are a perfect addition to your beach theme. Have a wonderful week...:)

    Blessings, Vicky

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really loving the beach look you've created. The tic tac toe board is adorable with the sand dollars and starfish! Soooo Cute! I'm enjoying a few shells in the cubbies and pretty blue glass, makes me feel cooler in this heat!
    hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like a fabulous vacation, Carol! Your beach theme is lovely and that blue glass is gorgeous. All we ever find is brown and green! You must have the magic touch! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. i must go to the wrong beaches - i never find glasses like those - i know lots of bloggers that i know that do??! so pretty.

    i love your bloom mosaic ... so pretty!! i want to play tic tac toe!! so fun! ( :

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Carol,
    So happy you had a great vacation. Love the shells ou found in the heart shapes. Too sweet. Glad you had a beautiful time. Your pictures are gorgeous. Love the beach them vignettes.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the adorable tic tac toe board you made. You have the perfect home for a nautical motif! I'm jealous that you got to go on vacation to HI! I would love to go there someday.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your beach themed living room looks fantastic because it's authentic!! I love the tic tac toe board, that was very creative thinking!

    I want to hear more about your trip. We went to Kauai for our honeymoon 8000 years ago. It was not nearly as popular as it is now. I'd go again if I could handle an 8 hour plane ride!

    Jane xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. You went from your California beach to Hawaii? That's just too wonderful! Your beach cottage look is perfect. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carol,
    Your beach vignettes are fun and full of whimsy. Your vacation snapshots are amazing, looks like you spent 10 days in paradise. I am in love with the heart beach rocks, what a perfect souvenir of your family vacation. Welcome back sweet friend.
    XO,
    Vera

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love that "beachy" decor! Like the holidays are still going on!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the look of your beach theme, I think I have a little bit of the beach in each room. Your holiday looks fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good morning Carol dear....

    I LOVE THAT TIC TAC TOE GAMEBOARD! What a perfect coffee table piece to have and to even play with! Starfish are my favorite items and you have a perfect set here to enchant your guests or to try your hand at luck any time of the day. Simply stunning transformation of that game board!

    I H A V E M I S S E D Y O U and your awesome creative energy, but it's great to see you had a lovely vacation. And I need to pull out my beach glass that we collected when we lived smack-dab across the street from the beach in Beverly Massachusetts!

    Have a super Tuesday! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  17. How nice to have the beach theme ready to return to and enhance from your vacation..sounds like a wonderful time and what gorgeous scenic photos! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Carol, love your beachy living room and that game board is awesome.
    All the special touches around the room are perfect and so peaceful. Great heart shells from the beach and those flowers are gorgeous.
    Looks like you had a wonderful time.
    Welcome home!
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your place is always beautiful but your vaca pic are stunning. What beautiful scenery you had.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I always love visiting your beach house -- it is so inviting, and you keep it so fresh with your new touches.

    ReplyDelete
  21. glad to see a "we are home" post.

    i really don't like to see "we are going away" post... prior to vacations.

    for safety sake...

    tessa~

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your beachy living room is delightful. I love it. ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good Morning Carol and welcome home. It looks like you had a wonderful vacation; how could you not when spending it in paradise. Your photos are beautiful.
    I love the soft beachy theme that you have going on and that tic tac toe board is adorable. Only you could think of that :) I have come to the conclusion that you redecorate your living room about as often as I dust mine, LOL. It seems that each time I visit, your home has transformed. You amaze me . . . so much talent and so much energy :)
    Again, I say "Welcome Home" you were missed.
    Your blogging sister,
    Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Welcome home, friend! You know I love your colorful beach home. I feel happy and inspired every time I visit Art and Sand!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sounds like you had a great vacation...beautiful vacation pictures! Love the little shells that look like hearts.
    ~Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Good Evening Carol, It is lovely to see you back after your wonderful holiday.
    The flowers on Kauai are fabulous as they are such a feast for the eyes.
    I loved your Tic Tac Toe. You are the only person I know that can achieve so much in so little time.
    Now I have to tell you something, I usually admire things, I don't covert them, but I have to be honest... I covert your metal stand.... I do hope that this is not a bad thing. I certainly hope not.
    It is lovely to see you back.
    Best Wishes to you.
    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your tic tac toe board is so cute, such a clever idea to use starfish and sand dollars. Your beachy decorating style is always such a treat.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Carol, I love your new beach theme. Your husband's painting are wonderful. You have the windows open and I absolutely love that. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
  29. Carol, I love your new beach theme. Your husband's painting are wonderful. You have the windows open and I absolutely love that. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the beachy feeling you've brought into your room...and your vacation looks truly amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I adore watching the way you switch things up! Sounds like a wonderful vacation and never hurts to be "off the grid" for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my friend, only you can find heart shaped shells on the beach. Never have I found a single one! Love the new nautical tic tac with the shells! I have been keeping my eye out for a little something for you ever since you sent me my wonderful pillow covers. Never really saw anything. A couple of weeks ago I walked into my upstairs guest bath and immediately saw something that I thought needed to come to you. I was going to mail it, but couldn't find what I did with your address. Then you left for vacation. Please send me your address (yes, still can't find it); and I'll send it out.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  33. Are those heart shaped shells pieces of coral? I love them. Love the seaside decor.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You've created a very welcoming beach theme in your room. Great repurposing of the game board. Sea glass is a wonderful thing to collect. I look for pieces on every beach I walk and like you, treasure the rare blue ones.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am so glad you had a good trip friend! Just look at those blooms you captured when you were there! I am so smitten with that sea glass! It looks beautiful in your vignette as do all of your touches in your home! Can I hire you to work some re-dos in my house?!?! Take care pal!! Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  36. You found Heart shaped sea shells! Looks lovely and your decorating enthusiasm is very inspiring. :-). Glad you are back for selfish reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Well I'm just glad you had a super time on vacation, that you've posted, AND...that you came to say "hello."

    MAYBE next year, another party will occur, and you can be in it!!!! I'd love that so...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love the beach theme Carol. How is this heat treating you? You are so lucky to have the beach so close. Your little cottage looks dreamy, as always.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

    ReplyDelete
  39. I can't wait to add some of these ideas to my new room! Yey!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Of course the Tic Tac Toe checks look so much more charming now! Love your cheery touches of marine magic! Did you smell the gorgeous fragrance of the Frangipani flowers in Hawaii? We have some in our garden and are actually thriving this year!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hawaii looks amazing, I've always wanted to go there, ever since watching Elvis films with my brother when we were young !
    Your beachy décor looks great. I often look for sea glass but as our beach is full of pebbles it's difficult to find.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Looks fabulous, the beachy look! I love those heart shaped shells!
    Hugs,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your beach decor couldn't be more perfect for where you live! Isn't it nice to be home again? :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your tic-tac-toe board is wonderful! Over the years. I've collected few different ones (chicks & eggs, little sheep dogs and sheep, etc.) but yours with the shells is lovely. And the red, white, and blue colors are perfect. Very clever! xoxoxo

    And your photo montages/collages from Hawaii are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh what a fabulous idea Carol - love the tic tac toe board - it fits your " home by the beach " perfectly
    In fact I'd like one and I'm nowhere near a beach :)
    Your vacation sounds like it was heavenly too - love those heart shaped shells XOXOOX

    ReplyDelete
  46. How cute is that tic tax toe board?! And really, heart shapes shells? Leave it to you Carol!

    We went to Hawaii for our 25th anniversary six years ago. At the time I thought it was a long trip from NY, but then when I went to Singapore by comparison Hawaii is a piece of cake ;). You're lucky to live relatively close.

    ReplyDelete
  47. That turned out so cool! I will have to put that on my to do list...we are trying to purchase a lake house and it would be perfect for it.

    ReplyDelete