Accessorize! (For Erin)

The new built ins are FABULOUS!  The new navy and white furniture is SHARP.  I love your idea of adding accents of red and sea greens....GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!

Here are the pictures of your living/kitchen area...all that's needed are some accessories to highlight some accent colors:

To start, I would introduce color with throw pillows.  I found the perfect choice - they are not too busy because you have stripes and a pattern already happening in your sofa and arm chairs, yet they help to introduce the accent colors you want highlighted in the room, and most importantly, on your new built ins.  I found these at www.oceanstyles.com and they are actually REASONABLE at $29.74 each...

In addition to the throw pillows, I would purchase a throw blanket in a solid red or solid sea green, and casually toss it over the arm of your sofa - this adds a pretty touch of color and also will come in handy on a chilly rainy day or cold winter night.  The throws shown below are from Pottery Barn (Cable Knit Throw, $79)...but can be easily found at discount home stores for much less :)

I would also introduce some more color in your kitchen with a set of Willow House Cinnabar Cannisters (Item # 41222, Set of Three $132.96).  These would be located in the corner where your toaster currently sits.  These cannisters will give you a pop of color in your kitchen to help your color choice flow in the connected rooms.

Notice, behind the cannisters in the picture above, the fabric covered book.  This is an easy do-it-yourself touch that we should incorporate into your kitchen as well.  I would use the same colors shown in the picture - your red and sea green - lots of beautiful fabrics available.  All I would need is three cookbooks (hardcover - I am sure you have some you either use at The Cape or some that could be spared for decor purposes only).  Again, this would help set the stage for your color scheme. 

Now...THE BUILT INS!!  They are so beautiful that you do not want too much "stuff" on them.  I would keep it simple and classy with pops of your accent colors.

I would include the following:

1.  Your Favorite Beach reads!  How great to have some beach reads for friends who visit and want something to bring to the beach.  Remember - these books should vary in size and some should be placed vertically and some horizontally...most in hardcover preferrably.

2.  Frames!  You could choose a few frames that are in a beachy gray-washed stain and I would fill them with your favorite family and friend photos...all photos in black and white.  B&W photos can easily and inexpensively be ordered from Shutterfly.

3.  Christmas Tree Shops!  No Cape Cod built in would be complete without a few inexpensive starfish, shells, candleholders from the Christmas Tree Shoppes...whatever you fancy!

4.  Fabric Hardcover Books:  Again - same idea as kitchen cookbooks...same fabric to bring some commonality between two rooms.  This will also add some red to your shelves...lay them horizontally...

5.  Statement Pieces!  You should have a few statement pieces on your shelving.  The pieces will bring ooohhhs and ahhhs...here are a couple of my favorites:

Athena Crackle Vase (BELOW):  Gorgeous Greek Goddess on your very own shelves :)  By Willow House (Item #41550, $39.96)  This vase would be left empty (it is stylish enough to be a bookend or to stand alone) due to height of your bookshelves...you can fill it with pussy willows (so Cape Cod), branches, silver dollars...lots of options here...if you ever choose to move it elsewhere! 

Lady Jane Bottleneck Vases (BELOW):  GORGEOUS Demijohn Bottles that are 100% beachy!  Easily stand alone!  By Willow House (ON SALE IN JANUARY ONLY!  Large in turquoise is $62.96, Small in apple is $40.96).  I would get both - they look great paired together or in separate spots on your shelving.

Wood Birdhouse (BELOW):  This birdhouse is sweet and adds a touch of something different to the typical built in shelving decor of books and frames.  Available through Pottery Barn (Small is $69...and plenty big enough at 22 inches high).

EXTRAS!  Of course, a "nice to have"...not a priority but would make a nice final touch....

1.  Bradford Lattice Lanterns (BELOW):  These are absolutely beautiful, worth every penny, lanterns that would be pretty on the floor in your living room....they could stand alone or be filled with dried flowers - tops tilt over!!  The wood is a weathered gray - Cape Cod classic!  You can even put a candle in them and bring them out onto your deck during parties!  By Willow House (Item #41420 Set of TWO:  $159.96)

I hope you had as much fun reading this as I had putting it together!!