Shells & Chinoiserie

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I posted this years ago and it is still one of my favorites - a stunning black and gold Chinese cabinet filled with seashells, blue coral, and blue and white Chinese porcelain.

My own version at CCC features antique framed botanicals, a pair of vintage calligraphy ginger jars, a vintage Kate Spade wicker handbag filled with sea fans, conch shells, and Eric Cortina chinoiserie Christmas ornaments.

CCC

As many coral species are endangered and coral reefs are threatened, I recommend faux coral pieces that are readily available, look great, and are guilt free.

Faux Chambray Finger Coral

Pottery Barn has a gorgeous collection of faux coral on clearance and it is an extra 20% off with code EXTRA. Check it out here.

I love my collection of conch shells. I think the inside of a conch shell is one of the prettiest colors in the world. I love the soft pink coral with my black and gold chest and blue and white ginger jars.

Benjamin Moore has a paint color called Conch Shell #052.

Benjamin Moore Conch Shell #052

I'm not sure this exactly captures the color, but it is a very pretty neutral pink.

Benjamin Moore Sheer Pink #894 is another pretty option - 

Benjamin Moore Sheer Pink #894

If you recall the old Sylvania pink light bulbs, they were my absolute favorites (they even came in a three way version that I loved). With every lamp in my home lit with these, it was like living inside of a conch shell. I miss them....

Sylvania Pink Light Bulbs

I still get emails from people looking for other light bulb options. The answer is there are none. With LED bulbs, you can dress up a pig, but it is still a pig. IMHO LED light is ugly no matter what you do to it. (I have hundreds of incandescent bulbs carefully stored thankfully).

In the picture at the top, note the very large shell filled with smaller shells. I swear I see a loofah in it. Some people think a loofah is made from dried sea sponge or coral but it is actually from a gourd in the cucumber family. I have this large clam shell at CCC and it is beautiful and a great price.

Large Clam Shell

This is an interesting seashell display by Amanda Lindroth at the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach. 

Amanda Lindroth

Amanda mixes silver Revere bowls and Champagne buckets with a collection of seashells. The only disadvantage to the silver is that you have to polish it. That's why few couples register for sterling flatware anymore. I end up using my bamboo flatware almost all of the time instead.

Amanda's new book comes out in October and I am literally counting the days. You can pre-order it.

Island Dreaming by Amanda Lindroth