This is my favorite photo combining Chinoiserie and seashells. The black and gold cabinet with blue and white Chinese porcelain and seashells including blue and white coral could not be prettier.
When I was living in Alexandria, Virginia in a historic neighborhood minutes from DC, I restrained myself from using a lot of seashells. Now that I live at the beach, I am looking for elegant ways to include seashells in my decor. The majority of seashell decor you see in stores is seriously tacky.
I have come to the conclusion that seashells in the home either need to be very understated or very over the top. There is no in between for me.
Here is a wonderful example of understated and elegant - a collection of shells in a wicker tray - lovely.
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| Amanda Lindroth |
Then we have the over the top. I posted this and saved it for years intending to do my own version. I would substitute red coral branches for the bones and horns. Now I am on the hunt for a bust.
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| And George |
And a gardening question for southerners and locals. Camellias are among my favorite plants. I had magnificent camellias in NOVA and had planted three sasanquas here in Sarasota last winter. Do both japonica and sasanqua do well here? I have read to plant mid season bloomers so they are not blooming during the heat here. Any suggestions/recommendations/favorites? Thank you!
