Driftwood for the Home

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in interior design. I never thought it would be something I would pursue as a career but it certainly brings me happiness to pull a room together, to make a place really feel like home. I think one of the reasons I never pursued it further is because I have very particular taste and I just don’t think I’d be any good at decorating rooms for people with differing tastes than mine. Some may say selfish, I say particular.

I have always been near the sea and I wouldn’t have it any other way. A water view is something I am very fortunate to have but that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t attempt to bring the feel of a shore cottage in to any (and every) place I inhabit whether trees, mountains, or the beach happens to actually be outside my window.

For my latest project I used the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy as my muse and a little help from Pinterest. Walking the shores of Napatree my heart broke to see the eroding dunes and garbage lined water’s edge but like diamonds in the rough, weathered drift wood and logs covered the landscape. Some weren’t so weathered with leaves still attached, but others were worn with time and the help of the pounding sea. Smooth surfaces with worn edges, these pieces looked less like tree limbs and a little bit like art. 

I knew one of these logs would fit right in atop my white coffee table. I struggle with home decor sometimes because I am such a minimalist. Simple is better I remind myself as I browse through stores, more clutter means more to dust. But I have to admit, a barren coffee table with the occasional glass or candle really comes off as stark. I liked the light and natural feel of this particular log I had laid eyes on so I hoisted it into my arms and made the trek back to the car. I may have looked a bit odd but I had a vision.

Once I cleaned the sand out of my shoes, I went to finding the drill, a hole saw, a 1 1/2 inch spade bit, and a chisel and hammer. At some point in time I had picked up glass tea light holders so I dug those out too along with some tea lights.

I was lucky enough to find a nice, dry and sun baked piece of wood but had I not then I would suggest leaving the wood out in the sun until it is free of moisture. I got to drilling out the widest opening I would need to fit my glass tea light holders. The size and depth required will mainly be determined by the size of the dish or holder you choose to place in the wood. I then used the spade bit (1 1/2 inch was the widest I could find) to remove additional wood from the center of the drilled holes and followed up with my chisel and hammer to remove more of the wood. 

And there you have it, a warm and natural piece of the beach to add to a table or fireplace mantel. This could also be used as a centerpiece for a dining room table I think.