For the summer months, I’ve updated my kitchen with coastal decor, tableware, and accessories.
A mostly red, white and blue color scheme makes for a seamless transition after more patriotic decorations and dishes in the kitchen from Flag Day through July 4th.
Since none of our family members were going to be in town for the holiday, we invited friends to join us for a Pirate game. Even with seats in the shade, it was hot and oh so humid! A heavy downpour held off until the end of the game, but gave us a good soaking as we walked across the Roberto Clemente Bridge into downtown for dinner. Fortunately, the rain ended and we were treated to a great fireworks show over the Three Rivers.
We weren’t so lucky for the supposed “rain or shine” patriotic music concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony on Saturday night. Even though the storm had already passed, flash flood warnings cancelled the performance. There we were with our lawn chairs, picnic dinner and bottle of wine and no 1812 Overture. Hope the weather was more cooperative during you long holiday weekend?
Heading inside now for calmer seas and not-so-warm summer breezes.
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Prime Shelf Space for Display
I swap my kitchen decor, tableware and accessories numerous times during the year to reflect the seasons and holidays. 
A prime spot for display are the two-shelves above the countertop and convection oven.
Regular readers have seen this area decorated in several tablescape and holiday home tours. It usually coordinates with place settings on the island bar and kitchen table.
Snowmen or polar bears often populate the shelves during the winter months. As in, Casual Christmas Table & Set for Holiday, and Polar Bear Frolic.
But, for most of July and August you’ll see crabs and lobsters joined by a few friends.
Trouble is, it’s so darn hard to photograph that area without shelf lighting and the glare from the overhead spotlights.
No matter what angle I try to shoot from, shadows make it look darker than real life.
Don’t Bee Crabby Kitchen
Recognize any of the red lobster and crab serving pieces from last summer?
Here’s the multi-section server on the Not So Crabby Coastal Buffet Table. When not entertaining, the lobster hangs out as coastal decor on the kitchen shelf with the coordinating crab bucket.
On the coastal buffet, the bucket was used to hold cloth napkins. When sitting on the kitchen shelf, it’s a convenient place to stash summer utensils like seafood crackers and picks.
Not seen in the coastal buffet is this small companion serving platter (Kohls Nantucket Collection, now retired). It’s nice for serving appetizers or slices of lemon. Sitting nearby on it’s side, is one of a pair of matching lobster butter warmers.
More coastal decor tableware like the butters warmers can bee seen on Don’t Be Crabby Coastal Table on the Covered Porch.
Something’s Fishy
Keeping with the coastal decor and adding some blue and white to the scene is a large fish teapot (Home Goods).
I love his fun shape, clever handle and spout. It’s called, Magic Sky, by Blue Sky Ceramic.
He was one of only a few of my teapots that didn’t make the cut for last year’s Wonderland Tea Party Menu and Absolutely Mad, Summer Tea Party Table.
Just in case the landlocked fish can’t swim, a young sailor (Byers Choice, retired) is standing by with a life preserver. Isn’t he adorable?
Did you think you had seen the last of my carolers? Remember me explaining that the non-Christmas figures were my favs?
Byers Choice figures are always popping up in my centerpieces. And, vignettes like, Rooster Kitchen Decor and Tableware.
The rooster and chef grouping is in a spot on the kitchen counter where I frequently create seasonal vignettes. It’s below and slightly left of the two upper shelves.
Under-counter halogen fixtures make it another area in the kitchen that is hard to photograph. There’s just not enough natural light. Take the Remodeled Kitchen Design & Layout Tour (Part 1) for tips and insights.
Clamshell Vignette
A round seagrass placemat anchors the coastal decor space. It also helps to keep the large pewter stand from scratching the countertop.
The showstopper is the gorgeous clamshell serving platter. It was discovered at a boutique floral shop and is likely made by a company called, Mud Pie. On top is an ornamental silver crab. But, my favorite part is that bubble blue glass.
A coordinating lobster spreader came with the platter and is balanced on another bowl from the crab and lobster, Nantucket pattern dishware.
Put a Lid on It
The covered lobster casserole was also set on the Not So Crabby Coastal Buffet Table. In the vignette, it’s handy for serving rice, coleslaw or other summer side dishes.
When not in use, the lidded dish does double-duty as hidden storage of coastal decor accessories like napkin rings.
Or, this starfish wine stopper and seahorse spreader.
As part of a birthday gift several years ago, my sons included these white anchor and whale wine stoppers.
Two by Sea Coastal Decor Vignettes
Another prime area for seasonal tableware displays is located under the microwave, and on the counter adjacent to the coffee area.
I included this area in Remodeled Kitchen Design & Layout Tour Part 2.
Hmm, come to think of it I never finished that tour! Later this month, I’ll have to circle back and finish up with the nine-foot island, barstools, window treatment, and rest of the cabinetry.
Located in a corner by the frig, this is probably the hardest area for me to photograph (whine, whine, whine…!).
It’s also one of my favorite spots to use seasonal decor and tableware.
Or, to just set up as a self-serve beverage station when entertaining, like in Breakfast at Tiffany’s Theme Brunch.
It wasn’t my intention to start collecting octopus coastal decor, but somehow it just sort-of happened!
That darn Home Goods is like a drug to a plate addict!
Big as it is to store, I was helpless when I saw the white and blue serving bowl (Opificio Etico).
You might recognize the octopus plate from Anthropologie (From the Deep). I absolutely love the entire collection, but have limited myself to just one accent plate.
Another octopus decorates the edge of this elongated bowl. I suspect the bowl, napkin rings, wine stopper and other coastal decor accessories (Home Goods) were all made by the same manufacturer?
Like the other coastal decor vignette, I’ve anchored this one with a round seagrass placemat.
Wait, do I hear “Do You Like Pina Coladas” music playing outside on the covered porch?
Cocktail Hour
Hubby just returned home from volunteering at a summer camp program. During the school year, he helps tutor inner city kids several times a week. Today, the STEM learning session was to work in teams of four and build catapults. Not sure who would have enjoyed that more, LOL?
Actually, I’m really proud of Mr. Buzz for jumping into several volunteering efforts — right after retiring last fall. This past winter and spring, he also helped build new four homes with Habitat for Humanity.
On the way home, hubby stopped at the store for the ingredients to make pina coladas. He’s getting ready to serve them in these fabulous cocktail glasses.
Several years ago, I discovered the pewter, octopus-decorated glasses (Amazon) and pinned them on Pinterest. Shortly thereafter, I was surprised to received a pair for my birthday. My clever sons had checked out my pin feed and ordered them!
So, I’ll have to finish showing you the rest in Summer Coastal Decor Tour, Part 2.
Beach tunes and cocktails are calling…
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Love your coastal decor! I, too, like to change decor for the seasons. It is always a toss up between coastal and farmhouse. Since I live in the river, something water related seems more appropriate. I have a real problem though. My kitchen/dining area and living room are all in one space. I have a brown couch, bamboo blinds flanked with turquoise panels. I have a lot of red in the kitchen and for the life of me, I font know what color throw pillows and accessories to use in the living area. I also have a real problem finding cute things for the kitchen in red. How do I make the open area more cohesive and be able to change decor from summer to fall and winter? Love your blog!!!!
Janice, it’s always great to hear from readers — especially that you are enjoying the blog. I think this is the first time we’ve “chatted?” How nice it must be to live on a river setting.
It wasn’t until we did a major remodel that my kitchen, dining area and family room all opened up into each other. That’s also when I went for neutral colors in cabinetry, carpet, walls, etc. than I had previously. My kitchen originally had a light blue country print wallpaper before, and the family room had dark green carpet and burgundy wallpaper (remember the Ralph Lauren hunt look?).
I love turquoise, but I can see that might be hard to mix with red. Bet it looks great with brown though. I only use red in the kitchen in very small doses and it’s not part of anything permanent — accent decor and tableware. Roosters help add a splash of red and there is rooster everything available in home decor.
Our town fireworks were postponed one night due to a few thunderstorm predictions (which we did get) and those same storms broke up our family reunion party a bit earlier than usual too. Such cute kitchen décor for summer! I love all those bright red lobster accents; even if I don’t enjoy actual lobster. Thanks for sharing with us at the Summer Fun party. Pinned.
Clever, Debbee! I like to just relax in the summer and not decorate too much. It is so hot and humid in Houston that we stay inside mostly for the 4th. I am looking forward to fall decor.
Carolyn, I agree summer is for relaxing. I do like to bring out all my summer tableware and accessories to enjoy on our covered porch though. Our weather is more moderate here, and June through August is prime grilling season. I hear there’s another tropical storm, heavy winds possibly coming your way. Houston has already had more than its fair share of extreme weather! Hope all is well there.
Oh Joanne, how nice it must be to have a family reunion party! That must be the ideal way to celebrate July 4th.
Love all your nautical touches, Debbee! Unfortunately, red, white, and blue does not go well with our cherry cabinetry and granite so I have to save those colors for the dining room or outdoors. Hugs!
Thanks Bobbi. My sister-in-law had dark cherry kitchen cabinets and blackish granite with all kinds of rooster decor and red and yellow colors in window treatments and linens. I think it all worked because of the high ceilings, light color ways and huge, open space. Since I went with the light birch cabinets I can get away with using lots of different color combos on the shelves and countertops.
Loved how you styled your coastal vignettes! And I love your sea life tableware. The blue glass serving platter is my favorite, but then there’s the sailor boy and……
Always nice to hear from you Sandra; hope you are enjoying your summer? If there was a fire and I could only grab one item, it’d be that platter.. or the octopus bowl…or…
Now those are some very, very cool aquatic elements assembled there! My favorites, but not necessarily in any order (other than the first one mentioned), that bubble glass clam shell platter (!), the octopus plate / platter, and those lobsters take on a whole new appearance when turned on their sides. I love it all.
So, I haven’t displayed any seasonal dishes yet, nor have I gone into my storage unit much since completely finishing the move in early June. What does that say?! I’m claiming to be a summer sloth, taking it nice and slow…..
ps Our weather for July 4th was nice, and our symphony played on the riverfront park less than two blocks away. Not sure if surrounding buildings would obstruct our view of the fireworks, but we ended up watching from our balcony with a direct view. What a treat not to fight the crowds!
Rita, you are hardly a summer sloth, and have earned a nice relaxing break! Plus, if I were you, I’d want to enjoy my new digs without any other seasonal or holiday decor. It would take me forever just to arrange the kitchen cabinets and figure out what to put where!
Glad you had good weather for the holiday and what a treat to view the fireworks from home sweet home. I suspect next year you’ll find yourself hosting a crowd?
I love your coastal decor. Our 5th Wheel camper is decorated with a coastal theme and I am going to borrow some of your ideas!
Sylvia, imitation is the best form of flattery, so borrow away! Since it’s a camper you might want to consider melamine tableware and serving pieces to avoid breakage? I have a set of nautical dishes with a large whale platter made of melamine I like to use on the covered porch. There’s a link at the bottom of the post to some octopus plates I just purchased too.
I’m clearly loving all your ‘sea’ decor. I actually have enough goodies to do a display in my kitchen, which I may try. We usually have a Fish boil in early Fall—and I think I will pull all the stops out for that!
Hi Sandi, glad you enjoyed your visit. I’m actually working on part 2 of the coastal decor tour right now, so I hope you’ll stop back. A fish boil sounds like a wonderful event to be invited to! I’ve had one catered for a large group at a SC beach house once, but never tried one on my own.
You have so many fabulous fishy things Debbee! Such fun! I actually went to HomeGoods last week and didn’t buy anything, faint! A first for me ? Note to self: don’t shop mid July, they are in full transition to fall and holiday and hardly any summer stuff left! I love all your vignettes and the octopus glasses are wild!
It’s rare I leave HG empty handed! What a bummer to be on the hunt and not find anything Jenna. I had the same problem this week at Dollar Tree and Michaels looking for pineapple and flamingo stuff for the August tablescape hop. I want to enjoy summer as long as possible, even into September! At this rate, everything will be Christmas by Labor Day!
Red is the primary color accent in my kitchen, needless to say which of your accent plates are my favorites. I absolutely love how you use the Lobster shaped plates . They make a big statement. You’ve created a beautiful display; everything seemed to fit perfectly. Nicely done and put together!
Thanks so much Edmee! Funny that the lobster dish gets more use on display on that shelf than for serving! I forgot to show the matching crab bowl in the center of the kitchen table. I’m lucky that my neutral kitchen allows me to use a variety of accent colors for different seasons and holidays.
I love all your coastal pieces and how you styled them. I always have said, if I owned a beach house, I would decorate in red, white and blue! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend. You were one of my features. Enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend!
Shelley
Hurray for enjoying summer through Labor Day and not rushing the season! Thanks for the feature Shelley, it’s much appreciated!
Thanks Debbee for great collection. Like many viewers here, I also love all your coastal pieces. Getting the idea to decor’ our home for each season is not easy process. Therefore, your guides here is significant for me.
So glad you shared this table at Charming Homes & Gardens!! It is soooooo perfect for Summer and so much fun! I love that you have a shelf to style and coordinate!!
It’s the next best thing to being at the beach! There’s not wall space for hanging pictures and other decor, so the shelf and counter provide an area to display seasonal and holiday tableware. Thanks for stopping by Kristin.
So many beautiful things – but I think the whale stole my heart! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Moby Dick is a favorite of mine too Ann. Love to party in my pj’s!