More Beach Decor: DIY Pottery Barn Faux Coral

July 14, 2012


You all must think I'm nuts, but here I am going on about shells and beach decor.  Again.   I hope promise that this will be the end of it. At least until next summer, that is. In my last post I shared with you my PB hurricane knock-off.   And in all honesty I probably should have left well enough alone. But we all know that THAT will never happen, so.....I tried my hand at DIY coral and then created a vignette out of ALL my seashells. Before I show you my shell mania, I'll tell you about the coral. I read about this method on one of my favorite blogs, Home Stories A to Z. If you haven't checked it out yet you have to stop over there and tell Beth I sent you!

Anyway, I followed her advice and took a trip to my local Wal-Mart. Lo and behold, in the pet aisle, I found some really funky plastic pink coral.  Is there really such a thing as aquarium decor?  I think I just made that up. Take a look.


I think these beauties ran me about. $ 3.00 each.  Since I wanted to go with more of a Pottery Barn beachy vibe (surprise) I spray painted them white.  Then I couldn't wait for them to dry.  Once they dried, I placed them in my ever-growing display of shells. 



This hurricane filled with shells was a $2.99 Goodwill purchase, score! 

Now I may have gone a bit too far here......I added even more to the mix.  Enter my PB hurricane knock-off and its' twin that I just couldn't resist making.  Well, I already had all the materials, so why not? And I figure I'll use that one eventually in our master bath decor re-do, details to follow.  So, put it to me straight, have I gone over the edge into all out crazy-town or what? (And yes, I know the frame appears crooked in the picture but in person it just didn't!)

 
  I do think the coral looks pretty cool, adding just the right touch for just the right price. 



PB's cost: $29.99 on sale. Originally $39.50.  Yikes!  And just for the record, some of the shells (and all the starfish) were bought at the beach, but a lot of them were picked up at the Dollar Tree. Cha-Ching! 


So you see, you CAN have high-end home decor on the cheap. You just need to know where to look!


That about wraps it up for my shell mania series.  Although, I did pick up that pretty sea glass.....


xoxo


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I'll be linking up here:
Homemaker On a Dime
Baked in the South
Coastal Charm
Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl Up
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
Faded Charm White Wednesday
Todays Creative Blog Get Your Craft On
Not Just a Housewife Show Me What Ya Got
Free Pretty Things For You Whatever You Want Wednesday
Krafty Kat
The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Charm of Home
No Minimalist Here
My Romantic Home
It's a Hodgepodge Life
Finding Fabulous
Tip Junkie    handmade      projects

Leave a Comment!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Love seeing your pretty seashell posts...never too much! Your vignette looks so pretty with the addition of the plastic painted coral. I won't tell anyone:-)

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great idea and love the price. I would probably have never thought to go to where aquarium supplies are sold.
Enjoy your evening.

Roxanne Reinhart said...

I LOVE your display and think the faux coral looks fab! I am a seashell fanatic so I love most ( although not all ) displays involving shells. I think yours is great and I don't mind at all if you keep posting about it.

Comeca Jones said...

Now this is a great tip! Your display looks great.

At Home in English Valley said...

Hi Kathy, You can never over do shells, I think the abundance of them is what makes your displays special. I like your aquarium deco makeover, anytime you can copy the old PB for cheap is awesome. Love, Penny

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

You own this look. It's amazing what you do on a budget.

Karena said...

Kathleen I cannot get enough of seashell and natural decor in the spring/summertime. I am amazed! You go girl!

I think you will like my new Giveaway from Royal Design Stencils..

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Baked In The South said...

I love this idea! pb coral is so expensive! Thanks for sharing! We would love it if you would link up over at our party!

http://baked-inthesouth.blogspot.com/2012/07/made-it-by-monday-link-party.html

Katherine said...

Great idea! I have seen some of the "aquarium decor" but never thought about making it "home decor"! Would like you to share this at my party if you get the chance!
http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/

Jennifer@Decorated Chaos said...

What a cool idea. Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer

Blue Creek Home said...

I think the coral turned out great. I have a few real pieces but I want lots and it's hard to find at reasonable prices. I may just have to add a few faux pieces to my little collection.
Just signed up to follow.
Rhonda

Kady said...

Awesome idea! Looks great!

Unknown said...

What a great idea. Love the look! :)

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

Great tip! I'm at the beach right now and looked in some shops and the coral here is $30 as well. Now, I'm gonna go to Walmart and get me some for $3!!! Thanks for sharing!

Highpoint Circle said...

You can NEVER post too much about beach stuff for this reader! I think this idea is crazy good! I'm headed to Wal Mart ASAP! Thanks for the idea (I'm one of the crazies who bought a PB coral)

Elegant Economies said...

Over the top is just how you roll, Kathleen! I love that about you! Beautiful posts and no can't get too much of the beach!

Curtains in My Tree said...

looks good

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow it all turned out looking great and what a great deal on the plastic coral. It looked awesome with the white paint!!

The Charm of Home said...

That looks wonderful! I have thought of using it too! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Heart Vintage Design said...

This a great post. I love this look and you were so creative in your [dare I say knock-off?] As a charter member of Club GW, it's pretty easy to find the occasional "aquarium decor" to use. I can't wait to find some tacky plastic coral! I just subbed via Google Connect.

Thank you for visiting my blog too : )

Miss Kitty said...

Just beautiful and so very elegant! I am just now getting around to getting some summer decorating completed...about time huh? I better hurry and get it posted 'cause folks will be doing posts about Fall decorating any time now. I saw your post over at "Krafty Kat" (I think...do you ever get "lost" and can't remember how you got to a certain blog post?)

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