Inspirations: Totally Nautical!

Ships ahoy, matey! A few weeks back, I confessed to my recent nautical mania, and with my current obsession at a fever pitch, I feel like I may as well wear a sign that says "Stripes, please!" In addition to the great sea-worthy products we turned up for you earlier, I thought I'd share some interior inspiration for nautical style.

A touch of rope here, a blue stripe there -- the key to marine-themed decorating is to weave these elements into a space so that you don't feel like you're at a Red Lobster. These four rooms demonstrate that you can take a cue from the sea without going completely overboard. In the room above, a sailboat wallpaper is a bold choice, but it's tempered by low-key touches and neutral furnishings.
Break out of the traditional nautical palette of red, white and blue with hits of bottle green and sunshine yellow. This room gets its sailor flavor from a rope-wrapped mirror, a jute rug, a collection of coral and a steamer trunk instead of from color and pattern. Ocean-inspired rooms don't have to have a country look, as this modern bedroom proves. Designed by Pamplemousse Designs, this room is the picture of contemporary cool, but little touches of red and blue give it a nautical flavor to match its Bridgehampton location.

A collection of ocean-worthy bric-a-brac is a great way to bring nautical style to your home. Bring your curios to the next level by displaying them in a bookcase painted in a seaside hue. This pretty paint is Valspar's Laura Ashley Glass Green paint, $29 a gallon; visit lowes.com for stores.

Want more decorating inspiration? Check out these posts:

Be inspired by Mad Men's retro-cool interiors.

Set sail! The Great Escape: Decor by Destination

BONUS: For more inspiration, check out nautical photo galleries on CountryLiving.com and LivingEtc.com.