Do you love coastal, nautical, and vintage decor? Today, I’m sharing how I created a quaint little nautical corner in our home’s living room in Coastal Maine with that vintage wow factor.
Nautical Decor
Nautical decor, also known as coastal or beach-inspired decor, is a popular interior design style that draws inspiration from the sea, ships, and coastal elements. It evokes a sense of relaxation, tranquility, and a connection to the ocean. Whether you live by the coast or simply want to bring a beachy vibe into your home, nautical decor can create a serene and breezy atmosphere.
Here are some key elements and ideas to incorporate nautical decor into your living space:
Nautical Decor Vintage Inspired
How to Bring a Nautical Theme Home?
Let’s chat about garlic scapes, nautical vases, sea birds, driftwood, Dawson’s paintings, vintage dressers, blues and reds, drapes, pillows, and more!
Garlic Scapes – Unusual Nautical Decor
And it was all inspired by this garlic scapes flower bouquet that I picked up at a roadside farm stand last week. You never know where your inspiration may come from, am I right?
You see, the flower bouquet included dill and garlic scapes, which also projected a captivating summer fragrance.
You may see and read more in the Irresistible New England Antique Barn Sale | Budget Friendly post.
Nautical Glass Vases
However, a week later, the flowers had wilted, but the garlic scapes were still hardy and thriving. They were whimsical, and I loved their natural beauty.
And staring right at me were these two tall coastal vases I had purchased at one of my favorite local shops, The Shops at Cape Neddick. They were the perfect pieces to display tall garlic scapes in.
What I also love about these nautical vases is that if you tip them upside down, you can add a candle, turning them into candleholders.
Yeah, for a dual purpose!
I have a tall set and another smaller set back in Vermont.
You may also enjoy How to Repurpose an Oil Lamp into a Unique Flowers Vase post.
This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
These nautical vases/candleholders, now displaying the garlic scapes, create a sense of whimsy with a root of summertime essence.
You may be inspired by this Antiquing 101: A Guide From the Trail post.
Vintage Nautical Sea Birds & Driftwood
A scattering of vintage sea birds on old driftwood that were once my mother’s collections cast an affection for the sea and a desired coastal quaintness.
You may also be inspired by this Plant Decor in Living Room Book Nook post.
Montague Dawson Painting
The sailing painting on the wall is by Montague Dawson and is thrifted.
Montague Dawson RSMA, FRSA (1890–1973) was a British painter who was renowned as a maritime artist. His famous paintings depict sailing ships, usually clippers or warships of the 18th and 19th centuries.
I found this Dawson framed print while Antiquing Down East, A Day’s Jaunt last summer. It was a steal, too… This one is called “Neck and Neck.”
And then I found another framed Dawson print for under $30 when I was antiquing in Vermont, which now hangs in our adjacent Maine dining room, named “A Winning Tack.”
You may also enjoy the 21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine post.
Check out this vintage haul from back in April when I found it in the 38 Antique Flower Arrangements & One Vintage Student Plant Press post.
I’m also looking to find more of Dawson’s paintings. The pastel colors, aged mats, and antique frames fit so beautifully into the theme of this old coastal home.
You may also enjoy A Bernese Mountain Dog & The Gift of a Whale post.
Nautical Drapes
You may also enjoy the Coastal Curtains for Living Room: A Nautical Vintage Story post. These blue and red sailboat drapes are one of my favorite thrifted finds. They were originally custom-made for a yacht back in the ’70s.
Vintage Dressers
Decorating with vintage dressers, I can honestly say I have one in every room in our home.
Old bureaus come in all shapes and sizes and are an effortless way to add cozy warmth and charm to a corner, bedroom, bathroom, dining room, sunroom, etc.
You can also find them very affordably at thrift stores and second-hand shops. I don’t think I’ve paid over $100 for any of our vintage dressers.
You may also enjoy a couple more of these posts all about vintage dressers:
A Petite Antique Dresser in the Bathroom
Oh, and the lamp and round nautical pillow are also thrifted…
What color furniture goes well with a coastal living room? At our home, I embrace blues and reds with vintage woods. And the living room sectional is classic linen with navy blue woven throughout. It is also a slipcover, so it can be easily washed and feels like summer. I have also found that light blues and pastels go well with a pop of red for color.
You may see more of this Coastal Maine home’s living room in posts like:
Christmas Old Colonial Fireplace, Hearth, and Mantel
This antique easel with a lighthouse painting is regularly moved around in this room. I picked it up last summer at Cabot Mill Antiques in Downeast, Maine.
I hope this quaint little nautical decor corner with that vintage wow factor inspired you today. Whether adding shore birds, driftwood, shells, nautical paintings, or garlic scapes to your favorite vase, it’s all about what makes our homes cozy and enjoyable for each one of us.
I’m so glad you dropped by, and if you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoyed visiting our Home in Coastal Maine with us today.
Nautical decor is all about creating a soothing and refreshing atmosphere reminiscent of the sea. By incorporating these elements and ideas, you can bring the coastal charm into your home and enjoy a relaxing and breezy ambiance year-round.
A Vintage Affair
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
I am a nautical enthusiast so I like it all.
I’m so glad, thanks kindly Teresa!
Charming and uplifting without resorting to corny, go to objects.
Love it!
Thank you so much Benesse! Thanks kindly for stopping by!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more perfect home for nautical treasures. Seriously, I love it all! The colors, the vintage treasures and how you’ve laid out your furniture pieces. It’s stunning! pinned
Thank you so much Cindy, I’m so glad you like it my friend, and I’m always so happy to see you when you pop in.
Ann, I love seeing how you style your beautiful finds!
Love your homes. The curtains in this home in Maine are awesome! We are a bit nautical ourselves as we don’t live far from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. So I really can appreciate them! I’m sure you’re thrilled you found them! Enjoy your summer!!
Thank you Linda I’m so glad you like them⛵️ They were originally custom made for a boat in the 70s⛵️⛵️
Hi Ann and Ella
Love. Love. Love the garlic scapes! I e never seen them before but my daughter lives within minutes of a garlic farm so I will be searching for them! Also love the “dual purpose” vases. You always find the coolest items! Thank you for sharing!!
Of course Kathy, I’m glad you liked them. I thought they were a fun idea too. Hope you’re having a nice summer!
Ann
Everything looks so beautiful. I love all the vintage.
Thanks so much Rachel!