Fishy Business: Tilt the Scales With Aquatic Decor
A marine element can add a splash of whimsy to your home
Whether you live near the ocean or in the suburbs, fish-inspired flourishes can add a fun dimension to cool, laid-back decor. The aquatic concept can appear in different guises: as artwork, in sculpture, as the motif on ceramics and in wall coverings. If you’re hooked on fishy home accessories, take inspiration from these under-the-sea examples.
Zone: Outdoor dining
Mood: Vintage chic
Why it works: An exterior wall covered in recycled brick needed a decorative touch to personalize the dining area. Australian design team Timothy and Rebekah Cichero of One Small Room found this vintage sign to give a retro feel to the space.
For vintage items like this, check out salvage companies and antiques stores. Or for a similar look, mount one of the cinema light boxes that are popular now.
Mood: Vintage chic
Why it works: An exterior wall covered in recycled brick needed a decorative touch to personalize the dining area. Australian design team Timothy and Rebekah Cichero of One Small Room found this vintage sign to give a retro feel to the space.
For vintage items like this, check out salvage companies and antiques stores. Or for a similar look, mount one of the cinema light boxes that are popular now.
Zone: Bedroom
Mood: The one that didn’t get away
Why it works: Moving in with someone can be treacherous, especially when it comes to agreeing on color palettes and furnishings in the bedroom. Often your partner is happy for you to take control, until he or she utters this line: “There’s just one little item I’d like to add … ”
It might be Granny’s rocker or a collection of vintage albums. Or it just might be a giant marlin that threatens to take over the entire room. Never fear: This bedroom offers a perfect example of how compromise can lead to design excellence.
Mood: The one that didn’t get away
Why it works: Moving in with someone can be treacherous, especially when it comes to agreeing on color palettes and furnishings in the bedroom. Often your partner is happy for you to take control, until he or she utters this line: “There’s just one little item I’d like to add … ”
It might be Granny’s rocker or a collection of vintage albums. Or it just might be a giant marlin that threatens to take over the entire room. Never fear: This bedroom offers a perfect example of how compromise can lead to design excellence.
Zone: Home office
Mood: Inventive design
Why it works: Floor-to-ceiling shutters may look great in a study, but they can leave you with little wall space for hanging artwork. Here, the owners came up with a solution: They compiled a fish collection and hung it on the posts between the shutters. To avoid a messy look, perfect symmetry is key.
Mood: Inventive design
Why it works: Floor-to-ceiling shutters may look great in a study, but they can leave you with little wall space for hanging artwork. Here, the owners came up with a solution: They compiled a fish collection and hung it on the posts between the shutters. To avoid a messy look, perfect symmetry is key.
Zone: Dining area
Mood: Deep blue sea
Why it works: A large ocean-inspired artwork brings serenity to a space, and drawing inspiration from a large piece of art is a handy device when decorating. Here, the shimmering blue of the piece is echoed in other elements, such as the acrylic chairs. As a finishing touch, the whitewashed wood floors reference driftwood on the beach.
Mood: Deep blue sea
Why it works: A large ocean-inspired artwork brings serenity to a space, and drawing inspiration from a large piece of art is a handy device when decorating. Here, the shimmering blue of the piece is echoed in other elements, such as the acrylic chairs. As a finishing touch, the whitewashed wood floors reference driftwood on the beach.
Zone: Front gate
Mood: Larger than life
Why it works: Sometimes bigger is better. This gate sums up the owner’s tastes: daring, creative and quirky. When installing a custom work such as this, it’s worth getting recommendations for an artist or sculptor from art curators, landscapers or even garden centers.
The concept can also be executed in a more understated way — small metal fish added to an outdoor brick wall or a piece of abstract art in the garden, for example.
Mood: Larger than life
Why it works: Sometimes bigger is better. This gate sums up the owner’s tastes: daring, creative and quirky. When installing a custom work such as this, it’s worth getting recommendations for an artist or sculptor from art curators, landscapers or even garden centers.
The concept can also be executed in a more understated way — small metal fish added to an outdoor brick wall or a piece of abstract art in the garden, for example.
Zone: Sunroom
Mood: Japanese-inspired
Why it works: If the serenity of a fish pond isn’t possible in your abode, a koi water feature can be introduced in a more controlled but still creative way. The color palette — aqua from the stream and orange from the koi — sets the tone for this spa-like space, but note the strong geometrical elements. The subtle asymmetry of the framed prints flanking the “pond” is complemented by the repeated diamond element in the upholstery and wallpaper.
Mood: Japanese-inspired
Why it works: If the serenity of a fish pond isn’t possible in your abode, a koi water feature can be introduced in a more controlled but still creative way. The color palette — aqua from the stream and orange from the koi — sets the tone for this spa-like space, but note the strong geometrical elements. The subtle asymmetry of the framed prints flanking the “pond” is complemented by the repeated diamond element in the upholstery and wallpaper.
Zone: Children’s bathroom
Mood: Splashdown
Why it works: This fishy mosaic mural is a win-win: It reminds the kids of Nemo’s journey, while the parents can appreciate the intricacy and depth of the design. The beautiful tilework is timeless enough that a redesign won’t be necessary when the children are older.
Kid-friendly bathroom ideas
Mood: Splashdown
Why it works: This fishy mosaic mural is a win-win: It reminds the kids of Nemo’s journey, while the parents can appreciate the intricacy and depth of the design. The beautiful tilework is timeless enough that a redesign won’t be necessary when the children are older.
Kid-friendly bathroom ideas
Zone: Reading nook
Mood: Life aquatic
Why it works: Adequate storage is key when designing a play area, but don’t forget about more dynamic elements that appeal to fun-loving kids and style-savvy parents. Let’s start with this cozy niche that works as a comfy seat. The opaque glass window adds privacy but still lets in plenty of light.
The main built-in cupboard provides hidden storage as well as the pièce de résistance: a recessed fish tank. Designed by Mesh Design + Projects in Australia’s Victoria state, the tank is mesmerizing and — most important — easy to clean.
See more of this house
Mood: Life aquatic
Why it works: Adequate storage is key when designing a play area, but don’t forget about more dynamic elements that appeal to fun-loving kids and style-savvy parents. Let’s start with this cozy niche that works as a comfy seat. The opaque glass window adds privacy but still lets in plenty of light.
The main built-in cupboard provides hidden storage as well as the pièce de résistance: a recessed fish tank. Designed by Mesh Design + Projects in Australia’s Victoria state, the tank is mesmerizing and — most important — easy to clean.
See more of this house
Zone: Bathroom
Mood: Fish fantasy
Why it works: Bathrooms are often seen as merely functional and utilitarian, but why not have a bit of fun with them? For some real originality, decorate the space with wallpaper such as this one from the Fornasetti II “Acquario” collection from Cole & Son.
Wallpaper was out of fashion for many years, but it’s making a comeback thanks to new materials that can withstand moisture and condensation. If you’re still a little nervous about adding wallpaper to a busy bathroom, another option is removable wallpaper. These are usually non-vinyl, non-PVC fabrics with an adhesive backing, and are perfect for any wet area.
Mood: Fish fantasy
Why it works: Bathrooms are often seen as merely functional and utilitarian, but why not have a bit of fun with them? For some real originality, decorate the space with wallpaper such as this one from the Fornasetti II “Acquario” collection from Cole & Son.
Wallpaper was out of fashion for many years, but it’s making a comeback thanks to new materials that can withstand moisture and condensation. If you’re still a little nervous about adding wallpaper to a busy bathroom, another option is removable wallpaper. These are usually non-vinyl, non-PVC fabrics with an adhesive backing, and are perfect for any wet area.
Zone: Kitchen
Mood: Trophy room
Why it works: This contemporary take on mounted fish is a great way to liven up a small, all-white kitchen.
Mood: Trophy room
Why it works: This contemporary take on mounted fish is a great way to liven up a small, all-white kitchen.
Zone: Open-plan kitchen and living area
Mood: Sculptural element
Why it works: A wire fish sculpture fills in and adds softness to the soaring architectural lines of this space. A high or angled ceiling is ideal for this type of art. Some strong high-test fishing line is all that’s required to create the floating effect.
Tell us: Do you have any marine-life-inspired elements in your home? Share a photo in the Comments.
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Mood: Sculptural element
Why it works: A wire fish sculpture fills in and adds softness to the soaring architectural lines of this space. A high or angled ceiling is ideal for this type of art. Some strong high-test fishing line is all that’s required to create the floating effect.
Tell us: Do you have any marine-life-inspired elements in your home? Share a photo in the Comments.
More
So Your Style Is: Coastal
Missing the Ocean? Bring the Beach Vacation to Your Home
Mood: A touch of whimsy
Why it works: While the dresser pictured here is quite formal and sober, the collection of fish-shaped plates above it adds humor and beauty to the hallway. The positioning may appear random, but the owners have taken the time to get the right balance between large and small fish. Since the collection creates a strong visual element on its own, little decoration is required on the dresser — just a couple of items to make it more homey.
Take hallways from drab to fab