How to Decorate a Cape Cod Beach House
Cape Cod is a long peninsula that forms the eastern coastline of Massachusetts. Visitors flock to the Cape to enjoy water-related activities such as swimming, sailing, snorkeling and fishing. A house in one of the many small towns that dot the landscape of Cape Cod can be the perfect getaway from the stresses of city life. Decorate the house to remind occupants of the area's proximity to the sea and many historical cultural traditions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wicker chairs
- Low slung tables
- Futon
- Hurricane lamps
- Dried grass
- Lobster traps
- Quilts
- Dried starfish
Instructions
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Choose colors that reflect the peninsula. Pick out soft browns that evoke the area's many long beaches. Add in touches of gray that bring to mind the region's nearby whaling grounds and the clams that lie under the sand on the shore. Paint the walls white and yellow to make the house feel airy on warm summer days. White also evokes the color of the sails used in the many sailboats nearby. Use dark navy and bright red to bring to mind lobster boats and the catch they carry to port. Green is also a good choice to remind people of beach grasses and shrubbery.
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Think about the kind of furniture you want to use. Many Cape Cod houses serve as a place to gather next to sea during long, lazy afternoons spent going in and out of the waves. Choose items that reflect the casual nature of the area. Wicker chairs have an open look and stand up to feet that might be covered in sand. Low slung tables with rounded corners are a good choice for areas that may see participants running in and out of a room during the day to fetch items. Look for pieces that can be used for multiple purposes. A futon that can serve as a couch during the day and a bed at night for unexpected guests.
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Pick out details that make the house feel finished. Choose lighting that reflects the home's purpose. Hurricane lamps bring romance to a space and are practical when storms threaten the coastline's power sources. Use inspiration from nature. Make a wreath for the wall from dried grasses and local flowers. Glue decorative shells to a backing. Cover with glass and hang on the wall. Used lobster traps can serve as small tables. Quilts can be hung over a chair or couch to add detail and life to the space. Place chains of dried starfish across a table. Use table linens printed with maps of nearby Nantucket Island. Nail a brightly painted coat hook next to the door to allow people to neatly hang up all beach accessories in a convenient place.
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