Spin That Ship Wheel in a Different Style Direction
The trend: It’s an oldie but a goodie. Vintage ship wheels as well as those made just for decorating purposes add nautical style to coastal and coastal-style homes.
The problem: The style is great for getting a nautical look, but once you add a ship wheel, you may not know when to say when and go over the top. Think of the style of a restaurant with “Captain” in the name, where one expects to see Homer Simpson eating his way through the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.
The solution: Let the ship wheel be a focal point but don’t let it dictate a bunch of nautical flags, anchors and other ship details. It can still add a touch of kitsch without making your room kitschy.
Why it works here: White walls. One often thinks of ship wheels as part of decor that includes dated 1970s paneling, captain’s chairs and lots of other dark wood furniture. Drywall or light-colored painted planks let the wheel stand out as a sculptural object.
Why it works here: Restraint. The ship wheel will always work well in a child’s room, where you can go very theme-y if you want. This nursery is crisp and well edited, which keeps the look fresh.
Why it works here: Symmetry. Instead of the wheels being the focal point, they embellish the centered window.
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The problem: The style is great for getting a nautical look, but once you add a ship wheel, you may not know when to say when and go over the top. Think of the style of a restaurant with “Captain” in the name, where one expects to see Homer Simpson eating his way through the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.
The solution: Let the ship wheel be a focal point but don’t let it dictate a bunch of nautical flags, anchors and other ship details. It can still add a touch of kitsch without making your room kitschy.
Why it works here: White walls. One often thinks of ship wheels as part of decor that includes dated 1970s paneling, captain’s chairs and lots of other dark wood furniture. Drywall or light-colored painted planks let the wheel stand out as a sculptural object.
Why it works here: Restraint. The ship wheel will always work well in a child’s room, where you can go very theme-y if you want. This nursery is crisp and well edited, which keeps the look fresh.
Why it works here: Symmetry. Instead of the wheels being the focal point, they embellish the centered window.
More…
