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trying to make Beach-themed living room on a budget? Seashells are a natural choice, but you don’t just have to have them sitting around or use them as vase fillers. You can use it as a permanent decoration on existing pieces in your home – like your fireplace mantel. TikTok Creator is exactly that clare.sullivan_ She did when she designed what she called a “schmantle”. She applied a variety of seashells in a mosaic style to cover her mantle. It’s the perfect way to create a Florida beach look in your home, even if you’re miles from the ocean.
The main material you need for this project is a large collection of shells. Having different sizes, colors and types of shells keeps the design interesting and makes it possible to create different patterns in the design. If you take a lot of beach trips, use the shells you collect to add a personal touch to the concept. For cheap filler shells, check thrift stores and garage sales — you may find old collections that people are tired of keeping. If not, buy shells at craft stores or online, like this 200-piece set. Weoxpr Bulk Seashells. The number of shells you need depends on how big they are and how much area you’re covering.
In the original DIY, the maker used high-heat cement to adhere the mantle shells. Home Depot sells Harvey High-Temperature Furnace CementWhich is pre-mixed and ready to use for easy application. Furnace cement withstands high temperatures, such as those around a working fireplace, and adheres to most building materials. Apart from that, you will also need a putty knife to smooth the cement over the mantle surface.
Cover your mantle in seashells for a chic beach look
This project is completely above all other stages Artistic DIY ideas for decorating with real seashells – Of course, you can incorporate those other ideas with the finished results to really enhance the coastal vibes. But for now, choose your best shells for the mantle. Sort shells by size, color and shape to make designing your layout easier.
A practice run on the floor helps you see how different shells fit together. You can make sure you like the layout before you stick it permanently on your mantel. Decide how much you want to cover to get the dimensions. The original creator covers the perimeter of the wood, but you can just do a small horizontal section along the top or front edge of the mantle shelf to keep the beech infusion to a minimum. Next, transfer the measurements you are covering to the floor and finalize your arrangement there. Feel free to arrange the shells into flower-inspired shapes. Or, hide a secret design, like the first letter of your last name or a hidden Mickey if you’re a Disney fan, in the layout to personalize it.
@clare.sullivan_ Replying to @🪩 The #Shamantal Maybe not your cup of tea, but tea is *your house, your rules!* and I’m enjoying my lavender lemon 😛 tea as I look at this shell fireplace with so much pride and excitement! #Shelling # Maximalism #Shellert #diyinteriors #diy
From there, tape off the parts around the fireplace that you don’t want covered in shell. Spread a smooth layer of cement over the small section, and press the shells into the wet material. Then, place the larger shells first and fill with the smaller ones. You can also include beach glass, glass gems, or other materials for a sprinkle of color and contrast. And if your living room needs a little more help achieving that Florida beach look, consider painting the walls. These coastal paint colors create major beach vibes.
