As with any topic, it’s important not to go overboard with nautical. Ha! Get it? Overboard.
Ahem, anyway. I really like nautical stuff: ropes, navy blue, stripes, wool, canvas, buoys and lanterns. But too much of a fantastic thing and it can look just like you are opening a Long John Silver’s. So sign at it with materials, accessories, colors and even textures. You do not need a boat in a bottle or a chainsaw sculpture of a salty old priest to communicate your love of their water. Go easy, go modern, and your house can be as fresh as a sea breeze.
OK, no more corny seafaring puns. Just 17 beautiful examples of modern nautical done correctly.
Woodmeister Master Builders
Just look at this understated cutie. A single octopus cushion along with a row of ship’s instruments in an open, white space produce a nautical sense without being too obvious about it.
Some navy blue, a couple stripes, a cute styled vintage bathing suit and a little boat on a shelf. Oh, there’s definitely a theme here, but it’s not cloying. (I would eliminate that lighthouse, however — too much)
Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs
This nursery succeeds to really have a motif but to remain calm about it. A single sailboat and that steering wheel onto the orange chair are just the right hints. We get it. It is lovely.
Richard Bubnowski Design LLC
Obviously this nautical motif benefits from its location and view. But that ship’s lamp is a really wonderful touch too.
CWB Architects
I adore this. Nothing about it’s obviously nautical, but that very simple cream and navy striped wool blanket is sufficient to send me directly to seafaring paradise.
Life in the Fun Lane
It is the painting which does it. Don’t you agree? I’d maybe add a single rope knot or glass float to complete the tableau.
Bockman + Forbes Design
The rope banister is certainly clever, but what I really love are the stenciled numbers on the measures. They remind me of steamer trunks.
Rethink Design Studio
This bedroom manages to attain that clanging, down-by-the-dock setting with a navy throw rug and rope pulls the canvas drapes. It is about stuff; there’s not an anchor or a spyglass in sight.
Rethink Design Studio
See the rope and canvas drapes. These, together with a couple of vintage beach-theme trinkets and mirrors shaped like portholes, achieve perfect modern climatic equilibrium.
Zhush LLC
Nautical Knot Door Stopper – $52
A knot doorstop. It is nautical, but it’s not too”Ahoy, matey!”
The Lettered Cottage
A knotted doorstop doesn’t need to be a doorstop whatsoever it. It may be a bookend or a giant paper weight, or just something pretty and boaty to add into a vignette.
Thom Filicia Inc..
Vintage (or made-to-look-vintage) glass fishing floats are amazing in their own right. With some other bits — here a rope knot and some lanterns — they can help make an authentic vintage nautical look.
Cristi Holcombe Interiors, LLC
One easy glass float is well worth a thousand sea chanties.
2Modern
Thomaspaul – Anchor Pillow – $70
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the judicious use of anchors.
CapeRace Cultural Adventures
I adore this display of found ocean objects. It is modern and true all at once.
Etsy
Vintage Brass Ship’s Bell With Rope Nautical Decor by Bird in Hand – $32
A supper bell worthy of a priest. I really could get used to calling the troops with this brass beauty.