How to decorate with vintage nautical finds


A close-up of a small, red metal rudder attached to a scratched wooden boat hull on a scratched wooden surface, showing signs of wear and chipped paint.

Someone once said that when you decorate, you should never have the oldest thing in the room.

wow

I was closing it with this bedroom.

A lot of things in this room are new or thrifted or from when I was in my Nancy Drew phase in fourth grade.

But I didn’t really have anything that was really, really vintage. Something that stood the test of time and came out the other side looking even better. Something that had a million stories to tell.

Until now.

Because now?

I got this.

This wonderful, nautical, chippy, distressed nautical invention that would go perfectly in my bedroom at the Cape, and I got it for next to nothing.

Except.

Except I’m not really sure what it is.

So I am asking for help.

Have you ever seen one of these and do you know what it was used for?

A small red and brown boat-shaped ornament with gold hooks is mounted on a white wall, with a string hanging from the front.

ok

Let’s start with what we know.

  1. It is about 16″ long.
  2. It’s some kind of boat.
  3. At the bottom of it is a huge metal piece (I’m not sure of the piece’s name).
  4. It has a little rudder at the front that turns.
  5. At the top is a mini steering wheel.
  6. There is a string in the front, so maybe it was pulled?

Let me show you a close-up of the parts.

(Total aside: are you laughing right now? Are you rolling your eyes because everyone in the world knows what this is but me?)

A close-up of a worn hardcover book with an ornate spine, its brown cover showing scratches and scuffs on the red and wooden surface.

A close-up of a wooden ruler, worn with black scale markings and symbols along the edge, rests on a scratched brown wooden surface with a red background below.

There is a small piece of wood at the top with drawings of windows.

So maybe it’s a toy?

There are also hooks on the top so maybe it was once a sail?

A close-up of a weathered red and black metal object with chipped paint and visible rust resting on a textured brown surface.

Here’s a close-up of the bottom metal piece.

My husband just informed me that this is called KEEL.

It is called a full keel because it runs almost the length of the ship.

Some boats only have a fin keel, but these are considered full keels.

(Total aside: He explained more to me about Keels than I ever wanted to know and he’s currently listening to a video about Keels, so if you have any questions? Please put them in the comments.)

Close-up of an old wooden toy boat, with a red painted hull and a worn brown and yellow deck, resting on a scratched and weathered wooden surface.

A close-up of a small, red metal rudder attached to a scratched wooden boat hull on a scratched wooden surface, showing signs of wear and chipped paint.

There is also a mean rudder at the front of the boat.

It bends in an almost perfect semicircle.

It is about four inches from the keel.

Two shiny brass wall hooks are placed on the wooden surface, one standing upright and the other lying flat, both with visible mounting screws.

I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s beautiful.

And hence the vintage look.

And he looks much older than me.

So in the spirit of adding character to my cape bedroom? I found these brass hooks at a local hardware store here and my husband hung them on the wall with hooks and a board.

A shiny brass hook is mounted under a wooden shelf with red and white paint; A shelf holds a book with a decorative cover.

A wooden model boat sits on a shelf against a white wall with two brass hooks holding a red bikini underneath the boat. The background is plain white.

Here’s a close-up of how he hung it on the wall.

And now it fits perfectly with the rest of the bedroom.

Want to take a mini-tour of the rest of the rooms?


A cozy blue and white beach bedroom with a bed neatly made with navy and white linen, complemented by pillows arranged against a dark accent wall. The wall has shelves and sign reading "Starfish." Large windows on the right let in natural light, brightening the room.

// Starfish Pillow Cover (similar) // White duvet cover // Enter the white duvet // Blue and white hotel bedding // A neutral mattress //

A navy blue dresser with crystal knobs sits against a herringbone patterned wall. A vase filled with white and blue flowers sits on top of the dresser. A rectangular mirror and white pendant light hang above the dresser, which perfectly completes this blue and white beach bedroom painted white.

// Peel and stick wallpaper //

I added This peel-and-stick wallpaper on the other side of the room in this alcove.

it is The same one I used in the closet makeover.

You can makeover an entire wall (and more) for under $8

It is very easy to apply. I just peeled off the backing and stuck it in place.

In a blue and white beach bedroom, a blue wall features an organizer with shelves containing red and yellow books. Holds a blue tote bag with a hook on the wall "KPW" in large white letters. An artwork of a sailboat made of string is displayed on a shelf next to the books.

The most amazing thing about the space?

My husband built this wall and We painted it Naval SW 6244 from Sherwin-Williams.

To save space in the room, a headboard is now made and bookcases are made on both sides.

(Total aside: Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale is right up there.)

A beautifully appointed blue and white beach bedroom features a neatly made bed with navy and white striped pillows against a black horizontal slate headboard. A white nightstand with a wicker basket and whale decor holds a small lamp. A sign above the bed reads, "When you wish on starfish.

// Starfish Pillow Cover (similar) // White duvet cover // Enter the white duvet // Blue and white hotel bedding //

A geometric black sailboat design painted on a white wooden panel framed by a black and red border, with a hint of a purple flower in the foreground.

This bookcase is the perfect answer for a small room like this.

There are places to keep notebooks for all the books I’m reading and ideas I have, and it all makes the room look so spacious.

It is a space saver.

A close-up view of a white curtain hanging from a curtain rod in front of a partially open window. Sunlight filters through the windows, casting a soft glow on the curtains and illuminating the greenery outside, perfect for accentuating the tranquil ambiance of your blue and white beach bedroom.

// curtain rod // Curtain ring // White Curtains (Similar) //

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to curtain rods and rings, I’ve ordered these for every window and twin dorm room and they never disappoint.

you can See curtain rods here.

you can See curtain rings here.

A clear glass vase filled with a bouquet of white roses, blue hydrangeas, purple flowers and white daisies with green leaves sits on a dark blue surface. The mirror behind it has a chevron pattern, evoking the serene atmosphere of a blue and white beach bedroom.

A stylish bedroom setting focusing on a bedside table featuring a modern white lamp with a blue base, flanked by a neatly made bed with navy and white patterned pillows.

// Starfish pillow cover (same as)//

A small wooden sailboat with a red sail is set on a white wall above hooks in a bright room with white curtains and a blue checkered bedspread.

A small red and brown boat-shaped ornament with gold hooks is mounted on a white wall, with a string hanging from the front.

And now here is the newest addition to the room, suspended in the corner by a white curtain.

It feels like home here.

Sea breezes are supporting it.

now?

If only I knew what it was. 🙂

anyone? anyone?

A navy blue string art sailboat on a white wooden board is displayed on a dark shelf. Image contains text: "How to decorate with nautical finds" And "thistlewoodfarms.com.

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Date: Posted on July 2, 2026

Written by: KariAnne Wood





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