Infusing a home with a nautical spirit involves more than just sticking a ship's wheel on a wall, or using a navy and white colour palette. An interesting new design trend focuses on taking elements involving sea life and weaving them into an interior. The result is jaunty cushions, artwork inspired by nautical knots and glass works informed by marine plants.
Scottish textile designer Angharad McLaren (angharadmclaren.co.uk) incorporates nautical ropework and her experiences with windsurfing and sailing into her elaborate rugs and wall-hangings. Her pieces are soft and textured and feature marine colours such as coral and sea anemone. Inquiries about custom design can be directed through her website.
New York-based bedding retailer Warm Biscuit (warmbiscuit.com; ships internationally) has created a nifty and unusual doorstop from heavy knotted ships' ropes. Fun wall clocks are trimmed with the same effect; both would look as good in a spare or child's bedroom as on a boat.
New York-based Trove (troveline.com), a maker of high-end wall coverings, recently unveiled Sargasso (above), named after the only sea in the world with no coastline. The pattern is in washed shades of pale blue and white, conveying calm and tranquillity.
Artist Stuart Garfoot has created Brainwave, a glass bowl 'inspired by the rich, colourful, natural forms found in marine life ... the texture and flow of coral reefs and other sea creatures'. It sells for GBP1,700 (HK$20,000) through British glassmaker Bruntnell-Astley (bruntnell-astley.com).