| Having distinctive decor doesn't have to break the | | | | it. Buy a model kit of a sailboat or whatever type of |
| bank. In fact the best way to start with any new | | | | boat you want in your scene. Get a piece of wood |
| themed decor room is to acquire one or two fine | | | | that's a little bigger than the model. I like to use wood |
| pieces and then build around them. A nautical etched | | | | plaques that you can find at craft supply stores. (They |
| mirror, etched glass lighthouse coffee table or a unique | | | | often already have felt attached to one side, and you |
| clipper ship couch might be a great starting point. | | | | can get them finished or unfinished. If you use the |
| Of course the best items to decorate with are the | | | | unfinished one go ahead and finish it) and attach to |
| things that you find yourself and that have a personal | | | | one side a piece of fine sandpaper. This is going to be |
| connection to something or someplace in your past. | | | | your beach. |
| This is why it's best to go slow and acquire your items | | | | Then build the model, spray paint it with a thin coat of |
| a little at a time. Try whenever possible, to make the | | | | light gray paint and let it dry. After the first coat of |
| items yourself and do your own work. This makes the | | | | paint is apply a second coat of gloss white and let it |
| items even more meaningful as the decor becomes a | | | | dry. Then tape off a line about halfway down the hull |
| monument to your creativity. | | | | and paint the lower hull with either flat dark gray, black |
| To start with, look through magazines and on the | | | | or dull flat red paint. This will make it look more |
| Internet to find images of the kind of places that you | | | | authentic. After all the paint has had time to completely |
| have in mind. Then if you find an outstanding picture, | | | | dry, lightly sand the whole model so that some of the |
| don't be afraid to tear it out (or print it out) and put it in | | | | gray shows through the white. Break the mast and let |
| a nice frame. A great photograph of a beachfront or a | | | | the upper part of the mast lie on the deck. And drill a |
| lighthouse from a magazine a nice frame will add | | | | couple of holes in the hull. Use something like a hobby |
| much to your room and people don't have to know | | | | knife to carefully rough out the hole so it looks like |
| that it's a page from a magazine or from the Internet. | | | | broken boards. |
| Furnishings can be bought second hand or you can | | | | Finally place the model on the sandpaper so that it's |
| redo the furniture that you already have. There are | | | | listing to one side. Then get some model palm trees |
| stencils available in nautical themes that can be used | | | | from a hobby shop and place them around the boat. |
| to easily add new life to an old end table. And | | | | As a final touch you can get some resin clay from a |
| upholstered furniture can be covered with slipcovers | | | | hobby store and (if you have the artistic skill) use it to |
| that feature a nautical theme such as lighthouses or | | | | make tiny seashells and place those around the boat. |
| sailboats. | | | | Glue the boat to the sandpaper and you're done. You |
| To find your knickknacks go to an online auction site | | | | have a very interesting addition to your nautical theme |
| and do a search for nautical decor. You'll many and | | | | decor room. |
| varied items that will fit what you have in mind and | | | | Of course these are all suggestions there are many |
| most likely they won't cost you a lot of money. Also | | | | more things you can do to finish your nautical decor on |
| you can also find real items such as signal flags and | | | | a budget. Just take your time and let your imagination |
| sailboat cleats there as well. It all depends on what kind | | | | be your guide. Make it what you want it to be, don't be |
| of look you have in mind for your decor. | | | | afraid to try something new or different. And above all |
| One favorite nautical decor knickknack project of mine | | | | else: Have Fun! |
| is the simple shipwreck diorama. Here's how to make | | | | |