Bringing the Ocean Home: How We Create Coastal Magic in Our Small Mountain House

I may live in the mountains now, but my soul will always belong to the sea. I grew up spending summers by the water, collecting shells, breathing in salt air, and falling asleep to the sound of waves. When I moved to western North Carolina, I knew I’d have to bring that saltwater spirit home with me.

Not through trendy decor or Pinterest-perfect rooms—but through small, meaningful touches that remind me of where I’ve been, what I love, and who I want to be.

Here’s how we’ve created a home that feels like a little coastal retreat, even here in the mountains:

1. Shells that tell stories

Every piece on this shelf tells a story—from surf art to shells we’ve collected on family adventures.

Shells are woven into every corner of our home. Our mantle is lined with shells we’ve collected from shores all over the world—from childhood summers in Ocean City, Maryland, to beaches in Costa Rica where I lived for a season of my life.

We use them as paperweights on desks. We hang them on the walls as simple art. We scatter them across shelves, windowsills, and coffee tables. Each one holds a memory, a place, a story.

It’s not just decoration—it’s a quiet way of remembering the places that have shaped me, and the places I hope to share with my daughters.

2. A coat rack inspired by the sea

When we needed a coat rack for our entryway, I knew I didn’t want something ordinary. I reached out to a local artisan and asked if he could customize it—and he delivered something better than I imagined.

Instead of traditional hooks, he used boat cleats as the hanging hooks. It’s a subtle nod to the ocean, a functional piece with a story, and one of my favorite little design moments in our home.

Every time I hang a jacket, I’m reminded of boats bobbing in the marina, ropes tied snug, salt crusted on the dock.

3. Everyday touches that honor the sea

We add small, practical coastal touches—like this whale tail napkin holder and fish-printed reusable napkins.

We don’t have a “beach house” aesthetic—but we sprinkle little coastal nods into our daily routines. Things like:

• Fish-printed reusable napkins in a whale-tail napkin holder

• A sea glass-colored glass pitcher on our table

• Driftwood sticks used as curtain tie-backs

• An old ship lantern we found at a thrift store

These aren’t big design moves. They’re quiet, intentional choices that make our home feel like us.

A home that reflects our values

We’re a pretty minimalist family. We thrift most of what we own. We reuse and repurpose whenever we can.

Our home habits reflect the love and respect we have for the planet—especially the oceans and waterways that give us so much joy. Choosing secondhand, using natural materials, keeping things simple… it’s our way of treading a little lighter on the earth.

Creating a home that feels like a coastal getaway isn’t about filling it with “stuff.” For us, it’s about filling it with stories, textures, and reminders of the life we love living.

The saltwater soul never leaves

Someday we’ll be closer to the sea again. But until then, these little touches let me bring the ocean home—while raising two daughters who are already falling in love with water, waves, and wandering.

I’m excited to take them to the shore this summer for a six-week Eastern Seaboard road trip, showing them the same sandy, salty magic I grew up knowing.

Want to follow along? Follow me on Instagram for daily moments from our adventures.