Gone Fishing

J.Crew Raffia Fish Bag

 

This fabulous raffia fish handbag is one of my favorites - such a statement piece. Fish motifs or fisherman core have been very popular this year.

Favorite Summer Bags

Tortoise Shell Clutch

There are two handbags I have been waiting to go on sale and they just did. This elegant tortoise bag would be lovely not just for summer but all year.

This ultracool tortoise shell clutch features an open geometric design that holds all of your essentials with ease. (Bonus: It's a total conversation starter.)

The Fish Handbag

Blue Fish Wicker Handbag

 

Last summer seashell handbags were very popular. This season the fish bag is having a moment and there are some darling ones. Here are some favorites. This is part of the fishermancore trend that is taking the season by storm.

Setting the Coastal Table

Shells Stoneware Dinner Plates

 

Target has a new coastal dinnerware collection that is quite fabulous and the prices are great. Many pieces are $5. And no, they are not melamine but stoneware! Coastal is all the rage this summer and especially with a fish motif. These are wonderful for summer entertaining indoors or al fresco on the porch, lanai, patio, or backyard.

The Koi Chinese Garden Stool

Caroline Gidiere - Veranda

 

The home of interior designer Caroline Gidiere may be in Alabama, but that doesn't mean it can't have tropical decor. I love the koi Chinese garden stool in the bluestone back entry.

Blue and White Outdoors

Milieu Magazine

This is such wonderful blue and white inspiration in one of my favorite places, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 

Tropical Blue & White Chinese Porcelain

Schumacher

 

If you are decorating a home in a tropical climate like South Florida, or a beach house, or just love the coastal vibe, I am crazy about using blue and white Chinese porcelain depicting koi and marine life and tropical plants and such. This above is a lovely example. These would also be fabulous in a lanai or pool house. The wallpaper is Schumacher's Feather Bloom.

Chinoiserie Gone Wrong

Alessandra Branca - Architectural Digest

I guess they are supposed to be whimsical and retro, but I am not into the mounted fish in these Chinoiserie rooms. These are two of my favorite designers, but I think they were trying too hard to be fun or kitschy, and IMHO, the fish just look stupid. I am guessing the ones above are faux, and the one below is a real fish, I am not an expert, but make them go away and I will like both rooms. It said in the description of the room below that the fish mount is a throwback to 70s beach decor, but some past trends should stay buried. In the Meg Braff rooms below, I feel that the fish take over the rooms visually, and I find something very unappealing about dining or sleeping with a massive dead fish above me.

Love the fish, hate them? Your thoughts?

Meg Braff - Coastal Living

And it is clearly not just a one-off with Meg, because here is a fish mount in her sons' bedroom.

Meg Braff - House Beautiful