CHEAP TO CHIC: CORRALLING ALL THINGS CORAL COCOCOZY

Four coral prints in mirrored frames from Plantation

Plantation – Blue Coral Prints Set of 4 – $295 (decorative art for walls, coral prints in mirrored frames) (above)

Coral is here to stay in interior design and home decor. 2008 is another summer filled with coral themed decorating items for the house.

As I was doing this post…I decided to do some informal research online on coral. For the scientific explanation click here…Wikipedia has a bit about what this marine organism actually is and does in the sea.

In trying to understand why images of coral are so widely used in decorating – I found that coral is thought to symbolize youth, health and, in Greek mythology, rebirth.

So this beautiful sea organism with great symbolism attached to it also is aesthetically pleasing to look at…often forming a colorful branch-like web on the ocean floor.

Design-wise these branch like coral pieces form a figure that is timeless and abstract… modern and classic, bringing the wonder of the outdoors inside…into the home.

From lush fabrics, bright pillows, art that is both real and abstract, patterned rugs, gorgeous wallpapers, fanciful home decor items…coral can be transformed into anything and everything for a room, space or home.

That’s why coral is the subject of today’s Cococozy CHEAP TO CHIC:

Anthropologie – Coral Knob – $6 (brass knob, matte finish, hardware included; also comes in black and red) (above)

Three coral needlepoint pillows from Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs – Coral Needlepoint Pillow – $79.95 (Stitched by hand,100% wool with coordinating solid cotton velveteen back and zipper closure. Colors: coral, green or blue) (above)

Inhabit Living – COAQ Coral in Aqua Stretched Wall Art – $106 for 24″x 24″ (comes in a variety of colors and sizes. COAQ features Aqua, Sunshine, White and Chocolate colors. Enivoronmentally friendly (eco friendly). Made from 100% sustainable recycled polyester. Hand printed and handmade in the USA with environmentally-friendly inks with no chemical waste or disposal generated. Product is recyclable at the end of its life-cycle) (above)

Ivory and beige table lamp featuring base cast from real coral, mounted on lucite base from Plantation

Plantation – Coral Boca Lamp – $495 (ivory and beige table lamp featuring base cast from real coral, mounted on lucite base) (above)

William Sonoma Home – Coral Crewel Rug – $595 for 5′ x 8′ (comes in a variety of sizes; wool rug in ivory and paprika red, embroidered by hand in a crewel stitch to make flat surface) (above)