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You are here: Home / Maine / Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

in In My Mother's Home· Maine· Maine Living Room

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

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Do you love beachcombing and coastal decor? Join me on the beaches of Maine as we collect Blue Mussel shells for a beautiful coffee table display.

What are Blue Mussels?

The blue mussel is a medium-sized edible clam.

Empty shells are commonly found on beaches all around the world.

The Blue Mussel shell is triangular and elongated with rounded edges. The shell is smooth with some sculpturing.

This species of mussels are purple, blue, or sometimes brown in color.

The Blue Mussel shells I find here on the coast of Maine have always been purple.

Beachcombing and a Bowl Full of Quahog Shells
Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

An Antique Bowl

This past week I visited the SAGE FARM ANTIQUE’S EARLY EVENING BUY EVENT and it was there that I found this blue and white antique bowl for just $14.

Beachcombing, Quahog Shells, and an Antique Bowl

SHOP BLUE MUSSEL SHELLS AND BLUE AND WHITE BOWLS

Scroll and Click on Image to Shop

Beachcombing

The next day from our home in Coastal Maine I headed out for a walk on the beach with our Bernese Mountain Dog, Ella.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

And I noticed right away all the Blue Mussels that had washed up on the sand after the last high tide. They were seriously everywhere!

Blue Mussel Shell

I gathered up a few shells, thinking I would display them on our dark antique coffee table in the living room. You see, I love the color purple with dark wooded antiques. It’s such a flattering combination.

Check out this post from last spring on Decorating with the Color Purple to learn more about this favorite color pairing.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

That’s when I came up with the idea of filling this blue and white antique bowl with the Blue Mussel shells.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

Combining them together with the lavender peonies on the coffee table that I created on this VERY VINTAGE WEEKEND.

On a side note, can I mention how fun it is to go beachcombing, collect some shells, decorate with them, and share it all with you here? So great!

And I appreciate you so much for always following along. I sure hope it inspires you.

Coffee Table Centerpiece

SHOP FAUX PEONIES AND RUSTIC BASKETS

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I gladly headed back down to the beach on Mother’s Day with my mother’s small L.L. Bean bag in hand.

The bag was about halfway full of Blue Mussel shells when I was done.

More than enough for the small antique bowl.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

Once back home, I rinsed the Blue Mussel shells of all their sand and let them air dry on a towel in the kitchen.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl
Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

Coastal Coffee Table Decor

When the Blue Mussel shells are completely dry, they will have a really pretty soft purple color.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

Ok, don’t laugh at my old Maine Seed Potatoes pillow on the couch. I know it’s seen better days. Ella our Berner has pulled off the seed sack label so many times. But I just can’t seem to part with it.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

You may also enjoy the post Living Room in New England Colonial House.

And Our Summer House Tour from last year too.

Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

I’m so glad you dropped by, and if you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoyed your visit with us here today at our Home in Coastal Maine.

Be sure to also check out our Home in Vermont too, where we spend winters enjoying the coziness of home in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Please join me as a regular here at Dabbling & Decorating by signing up for my Saturday morning newsletter and never miss an update!

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Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

I’ve created the above custom pin just for this post!  Hearing from you makes my day and your comments mean so much to me! Please join me over on Instagram & Pinterest to see more!

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Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl

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Filed Under: In My Mother's Home, Maine, Maine Living Room

Previous Post: « Sage Farm Antiques Early Evening Buy Event
Next Post: 8 Vintage Patriotic Memorial Day Decorating Ideas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel Harper says

    May 12, 2022 at 10:16 am

    Ann,
    These look so lovely in your bowl.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 13, 2022 at 9:53 am

      Thanks kindly Rachel🤗

      Reply
  2. Marlene says

    May 14, 2022 at 11:18 am

    Those shells are so pretty, you are blessed to have your home close by.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 15, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      Thanks kindly Marlene💜💙🐚

      Reply
  3. Connie Hodgdon says

    May 15, 2022 at 9:33 pm

    I love the pretty old bowl you found and putting those beautiful shells in it so perfect 💙

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 16, 2022 at 7:40 am

      Thank you so much Connie💜💙

      Reply
  4. Mildred says

    May 16, 2022 at 4:51 pm

    I am so envious. The antique bowl is a great find and those shells. You can just pick them up on the beach. I love the color blue, it’s all over my house. Would you ever consider collecting blue clam shells to sell?

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 16, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Hi Mildred I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I don’t think I’ll be selling shells. But I thought about picking up some to sell in my booth but not sure they’d sell in Vermont😉🐚

      Reply
  5. Dee says

    May 16, 2022 at 6:59 pm

    You truly are an inspiration to me.Thank you very much.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 17, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Wow Dee I appreciate that so much. You made my day🙏

      Reply
  6. Dee says

    May 16, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    The shells and bowl look lovely together.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      May 17, 2022 at 9:12 am

      I’m so glad you like them🐚💙

      Reply

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Meet Ann

Welcome to Dabbling & Decorating, a thrifty & vintage home decorating blog.  A place where I love to share decorating tips, vintage and thrifty finds, DIY projects, and antiques from our collected homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine. And our Berner, Ella who loves to pop in from time to time…  I’m so thrilled you stopped by today and I hope you will become a regular here at Dabbling & Decorating! Read more.

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Welcome to Dabbling & Decorating, a thrifty & vintage home decorating blog.  A place where I love to share decorating tips, vintage and thrifty finds, DIY projects, and antiques from our collected homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine. And our Berner, Ella who loves to pop in from time to time…  I’m so thrilled you stopped by today and I hope you will become a regular here at Dabbling & Decorating! Read more here.

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Good morning friends, today Ella and I are thrille Good morning friends, today Ella and I are thrilled to be joining the gals of #homeandgardenig as this weeks feature🏠🌱🌸
They have a fabulous write up and hashtag if you’re interested in playing along weekly🤗👇🏻
“Ann’s beautiful Vermont and Coastal Maine homes are always ready for entertaining . She has a eye for color , thrifting and charming decor . Come see what Ann and her sidekick Ella are up too on one of their adventurous days🐾🐾
Want to be featured on HGIG?🏡🍂
✅SHARE a photo using #HomeandGardenIG
✅FOLLOW all of your HGIG hosts and guest host:
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🍂Kate @ahousewren
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🍂 Guest Host and 📸: Ann @dabbling_and_decorating
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✅We choose an account to feature each Friday as a co-host!🏡🍂
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✅Hosts share their favorites in stories so don’t forget to tag us!🏡🍂
#berner #summerdecor #lilacseason #lilacs #sunroom #sunroomdecor #sunrooms #cottagecore #cottage #cottagecoreaesthetic
Good morning friends💙💔☕️ #patrioticdeco Good morning friends💙💔☕️
#patrioticdecor #patriotic #berner #patrioticpup #americana #porchdecor #porchsitting #porchlife #myfestivefrontporch #frontporch
Looking for some patriotic decorating ideas for th Looking for some patriotic decorating ideas for this Memorial Day weekend?🇺🇸💙❤️
Today on the blog I’m sharing “Simple Vintage Americana Porch Table Ideas” and joining 8 other very talented bloggers too💙❤️🇺🇸
Go to 👉🏻@dabbling_and_decorating and click on the blog link🔗
Joining me on today’s tour is:
@pashaishome 
@rachel_thepondsfarmhouse 
@cottageinthemitten 
@simply2moms 
@robyns_frenchnest 
@tatertotsandjello 
@whitearrowshome 
Have a great day❤️💙🇺🇸
#patrioticdecor #redwhiteandblue #patriotic #memorialdaydecor #setthetable #tablesetting #berner #tabledecor #alfresco
Lilacs, McCoy & Sweet Lemon by @antiquecandleco_ 💜💛
Happy Monday friends💜💛
#lilac #lilacs #lilacseason #lilacflowers #mccoy #mccoypottery #freshblooms #vintageinspiredblooms #homeandgarden #homeandgardenig
Happy Sunday💜💙 “Bountiful Bouquets of Lil Happy Sunday💜💙
“Bountiful Bouquets of Lilacs” #ontheblog 
#basketoflilacs #lilac #lilacs #lilacseason #vermontliving #vermontlife #vermonting #mynewengland #lilacflowers #lilacaesthetic
Did you know that the “Vintage Vibe Aesthetic” Did you know that the “Vintage Vibe Aesthetic” is super popular right now💙🙌🏻
Here I hang my mother’s handmade quilt out on our clothesline for the first time this spring. I am mindful of the fresh clean clothesline sheets from my youth and the care my mother took in the everyday💙🙏🏻
That nostalgia is what we refer to as “The Vintage Vibe Aesthetic”💙🙏🏻
Join me over on the Blog to see more along with #thriftingwiththegals 👉🏻 @dabbling_and_decorating and click on the Blog link🔗💙💙
- 💙 Ann
#quilt #vintagevibes #vintagevibe #quiltsofinstagram #quiltlove #familyheirloom #quilts #handmadequilt #heirloomquilt #blueandwhiteforever #blueandwhiteamour
“Bountiful Bouquets of Lilacs”💜💜 and “ “Bountiful Bouquets of Lilacs”💜💜 and “Vintage Vibe Aesthetics to Treasure” are what’s on the blog this morning🤗
And #thriftingwiththegals has it all covered this month💜💜💪🏻
👉🏻 @dabbling_and_decorating and click on the blog link🔗
Joining me on today’s “Thrifting with the Gals” Blog Hop is:
@rachel_thepondsfarmhouse 
@whitearrowshome 
@robyns_frenchnest 
GUEST HOST:
Cindy @cindy.countyroad407 
I’d love for you to stop by and join in on all the fun over on the blogs🤗
Have the best day❣️
- Ann
#lilacs #lilac #lilacseason #basketoflilacs #thecolorpurple #purpleflowers #springflowers #bloomsoftheday #beautifulblooms #birdsandblooms
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