Nautical Decor Ideas: Vintage Vibe Corner

Do you love coastal, nautical, and vintage decor? Today, I’m sharing how I created a quaint little nautical corner in our home’s living room in Coastal Maine with that vintage wow factor.

Nautical Decor

Nautical decor, also known as coastal or beach-inspired decor, is a popular interior design style that draws inspiration from the sea, ships, and coastal elements. It evokes a sense of relaxation, tranquility, and a connection to the ocean. Whether you live by the coast or simply want to bring a beachy vibe into your home, nautical decor can create a serene and breezy atmosphere.

Here are some key elements and ideas to incorporate nautical decor into your living space:

Nautical Decor Vintage Inspired

How to Bring a Nautical Theme Home?

Let’s chat about garlic scapes, nautical vases, sea birds, driftwood, Dawson’s paintings, vintage dressers, blues and reds, drapes, pillows, and more!

Garlic Scapes – Unusual Nautical Decor

And it was all inspired by this garlic scapes flower bouquet that I picked up at a roadside farm stand last week. You never know where your inspiration may come from, am I right?

You see, the flower bouquet included dill and garlic scapes, which also projected a captivating summer fragrance.

You may see and read more in the Irresistible New England Antique Barn Sale | Budget Friendly post.

Nautical Glass Vases

However, a week later, the flowers had wilted, but the garlic scapes were still hardy and thriving. They were whimsical, and I loved their natural beauty.

And staring right at me were these two tall coastal vases I had purchased at one of my favorite local shops, The Shops at Cape Neddick. They were the perfect pieces to display tall garlic scapes in.

What I also love about these nautical vases is that if you tip them upside down, you can add a candle, turning them into candleholders.

Yeah, for a dual purpose!

I have a tall set and another smaller set back in Vermont.

You may also enjoy How to Repurpose an Oil Lamp into a Unique Flowers Vase post.

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These nautical vases/candleholders, now displaying the garlic scapes, create a sense of whimsy with a root of summertime essence.

You may be inspired by this Antiquing 101: A Guide From the Trail post.

Vintage Nautical Sea Birds & Driftwood

A scattering of vintage sea birds on old driftwood that were once my mother’s collections cast an affection for the sea and a desired coastal quaintness.

Montague Dawson Painting

The sailing painting on the wall is by Montague Dawson and is thrifted.

Montague Dawson RSMA, FRSA (1890–1973) was a British painter who was renowned as a maritime artist. His famous paintings depict sailing ships, usually clippers or warships of the 18th and 19th centuries.

I found this Dawson framed print while Antiquing Down East, A Day’s Jaunt last summer. It was a steal, too… This one is called “Neck and Neck.”

And then I found another framed Dawson print for under $30 when I was antiquing in Vermont, which now hangs in our adjacent Maine dining room, named “A Winning Tack.”

You may also enjoy the 21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine post.

Check out this vintage haul from back in April when I found it in the 38 Antique Flower Arrangements & One Vintage Student Plant Press post.

I’m also looking to find more of Dawson’s paintings. The pastel colors, aged mats, and antique frames fit so beautifully into the theme of this old coastal home.

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Nautical Drapes

You may also enjoy the Coastal Curtains for Living Room: A Nautical Vintage Story post. These blue and red sailboat drapes are one of my favorite thrifted finds. They were originally custom-made for a yacht back in the ’70s.

Vintage Dressers

Decorating with vintage dressers, I can honestly say I have one in every room in our home.

Old bureaus come in all shapes and sizes and are an effortless way to add cozy warmth and charm to a corner, bedroom, bathroom, dining room, sunroom, etc.

You can also find them very affordably at thrift stores and second-hand shops. I don’t think I’ve paid over $100 for any of our vintage dressers.

Oh, and the lamp and round nautical pillow are also thrifted…

What color furniture goes well with a coastal living room? At our home, I embrace blues and reds with vintage woods. And the living room sectional is classic linen with navy blue woven throughout. It is also a slipcover, so it can be easily washed and feels like summer. I have also found that light blues and pastels go well with a pop of red for color.

This antique easel with a lighthouse painting is regularly moved around in this room. I picked it up last summer at Cabot Mill Antiques in Downeast, Maine.

I hope this quaint little nautical decor corner with that vintage wow factor inspired you today. Whether adding shore birds, driftwood, shells, nautical paintings, or garlic scapes to your favorite vase, it’s all about what makes our homes cozy and enjoyable for each one of us.

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

Nautical decor is all about creating a soothing and refreshing atmosphere reminiscent of the sea. By incorporating these elements and ideas, you can bring the coastal charm into your home and enjoy a relaxing and breezy ambiance year-round.

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