Remember this photo? The shelves themselves have since been completed, but I have not been back yet to our beach house to work on the styling. As I was literally walking out the door in December, I threw a few things up there to shoot a vignette for a post, including the French watercolor that inspired the bathroom in the first place, some nicely tarnished brass finds from Singapore, shell and coral collections the girls are gathering, and a shallow patterned kashigata (Japanese sweet mold) that reminded me of starfish and sand dollars.
Here’s a close-up.
Since then I have been gathering inspiration photos to help me crystallize my thinking. There is no one better to turn to for artful display than John Derian and I have long loved this photo with its giant sponge, shells and mercury glass.
A more recent photo from The New Victorian Ruralist is more regimented, but I love the mix of baskets, silver, white ironstone and glass.
And of course I can’t forget the vignette master herself, Joan from For the Love of a House, with this beautiful shelving array from her master bathroom.
All three photos share something in common, which is groupings of like objects contrasted with other groupings in different materials, usually about three kinds, including something natural, something metal and something glass. More than three gets busy and less than three has no animation. Without being too literal about this formula, I would like shells and coral, aged wood and old brass to be part of my display. My recent purchase of more kashigata with shallow relief patterns might just provide the touch I need. What looks to be coral fans is more likely lotus or some other botanical, but to my eye they read like oceanic plants.
I find these circular patterns irresistible too. They are double-sided, with different motifs on the reverse.
I think this classic Japanese pattern of little plover birds with waves is adorable for a beach house!
In addition, I have a friend who has also been buying kashigata with shells and sea life on them for her beach house on Long Island so I am hoping to get a look at them in situ this summer.
As I am not limiting myself to wood, but planning on complementing the unlaquered brass bathroom fittings with some aged brass display items, I was so excited to find this adorable set of brass cookie cutters with scalloped rims and a rolling crimper. Not sure yet whether I plan to use them on the bathroom shelves or save them for the kitchen. Speaking of the kitchen, Camille from The Vintique Object and I have been having fun brainstorming how to improve it without actually spending any money on it. I do eventually plan to renovate the kitchen completely, but in the meantime I want to take the ugly edge off. There will be much more on this project coming later, including the bleak photos of its current state, but one idea I have is to use warm brass and copper to help it along. If you are interested, she and I have a shared Pinterest page going where we exchange photos and ideas. It is such a great way to work with someone long distance!
And I’ve also got boards going for copper and silver on Pinterest, but with my obsession with aged brass, I think I need to start one for that too.
Related Posts:
Renovation Report…”Oldating” the Beach House Bathroom
Summer Simple…Vignettes and the Art of Arranging
Image Credits:1-2, 6-9. me, 3. Martha Stewart Living September 2009, 4. via The New Victorian Ruralist, 5. via For the Love of a House
Steve@UrbanCottage
The kashigata are wonderful but I really love the brass pieces on your bookshelves. Really beautiful!
Tokyo Jinja
Thanks Steve! I love those aged brass pieces and can’t wait to get back to the US this summer and see how the unlaquered brass fixtures are aging too.
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Sandy
Looking forward to checking out your Pinterest boards. Wi-Fi on the airplane to NY tomorrow, I hope!
Tokyo Jinja
Have a great flight. But I agree with you – Pinterest can be a huge time suck – and no matter what, I am never ever going to Tweet!
Emily Cannell
Come decorate my house. Now.
Tokyo Jinja
Give me a tour first at least…..
Anne
Love the patterns on the kashigata and to see your incorporation of your Singapore finds….specifically the aged brass container holding the coral.
Tokyo Jinja
I am still obsessed with the brass so keep your eyes open for me at the Dinky Di!!!
The Vintique Object
So much on which to comment! First, how have you managed to get so many posts up? Where I have I been? Obviously in the clouds somewhere. Your bathroom vignette is nothing short of perfect. Don’t change a thing! I can’t believe you just threw it up!
Second, the kashigata are so pretty. They’re are understandably undeniable. I’d snatch them up in second myself.
Third, I was hoping to do a post about “decorating to distract” sometime this week and hope to mention you, if that’s alright?
Camille
Tokyo Jinja
Can’t wait to read “decorating to distract” – please feel free to include me. And thanks so much for the wonderful comment!
Margaret R Lambert
I’ve never seen so many of those little Italian alabaster bird baths…charming. I love bird motifs for Spring. And shells are natural near water, but adding the old shell buttons on their original cards is clever, following that idea of a diverse but related group. And always something reflective. You have to have a bit of light or sparkle in the mix. It’s good fun doing these vignettes.
Tokyo Jinja
Count on you Margaret to get the shell reference in the vintage button cards!!!
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Cris Angsten
I love those kashigatas – never see any in these parts, but I do love all things Japanese. Beautiful mixture – and an admire of John Derian also.
Mary Doveton
Margaret Lambert always writes the best comments! I feel quite self conscious posting after her. The kashigata you found are amazing, especially that second set. And that little watercolor is so lovely. I think a pretty little mirror and a nice piece of white coral would finish your vignette off nicely.
Tokyo Jinja
So true! I feel self conscious replying sometimes!!! But you are not exactly a slacker yourself Mary!!!!
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Margaret R Lambert
You are both kind, Mary, and Tokyo Jinja… thank you for your compliments! It is easy to be enthusiastic, when the inspiration is present. Honestly, I have learned so much reading this blog, and am so grateful for it.