Anchors Aweigh: Getting Nautical on Land
The end of March means one thing in the mid-Atlantic: the start of boating season. I grew up just outside Annapolis, and close proximity to the water and to sailboats definitely influenced my concept of what's beautiful. Crisp tailoring, blue, white and yellow, small spaces, natural wood and, of course, the water itself - all great-looking.
While in most parts of the world, it's not practical to actually be in a boat year-round, it's easy to incorporate nautical elements into interior design - and not just in a cheesy, beachfront seafood restaurant kind of way. Here are some great examples of maritime-influenced design that really work:
While in most parts of the world, it's not practical to actually be in a boat year-round, it's easy to incorporate nautical elements into interior design - and not just in a cheesy, beachfront seafood restaurant kind of way. Here are some great examples of maritime-influenced design that really work:
The most nautical color combination in the world, I think, is blue and yellow. Add in some wood and natural light and it is easy to imagine that you're floating, even inside. In this case, the tones of the blue and yellow are just muted enough that they look sophisticated - not silly or kitschy - and the ceiling is amazing.
One of the cool things about boat design is the way that absolutely everything functions as storage. Every bench seat rises to expose a storage container, every wall has covered shelves. This piece reminds me of that fantastic functionality. It's simple and fairly neutral, and has the potential to hide a whole lot of stuff. Plus, the great wood finish absolutely screams "nautical."
Q