The Shell Game......

Marinni

Objects from the oceans have been elevated into art for centuries.....

Palazzo Boromeo- Isola Bella

Ornate shelled rooms became popular in  Europe as early as the 1600's....

Blott Kerr-Wilson

Shelled rooms evolved from the love of exterior grottos.....these interior rooms were more formal with symmetrical designs...unlike the stalagtite inspired grotto art. This bathroom was inspired by Sailor's valentines...small , detailed shell designs-sometimes boxes, made by sailors at sea for their loved ones.

Artist Blott Kerr-Wilson has dedicated her life to restoring and creating these fantastic designs. Blott won the World of Interiors design award in 1993 and has seriously devoted her life to the creation and accurate restoration of shelled rooms.

Helen Dillon asked Wilson to make the shells "flower" from the walls for this bathroom....

Viaggi-Cucina-et io blog

Many shell rooms include bone, precious minerals and corals along with the shells to create elaborate designs.

This exuberant example includes clam shells and arrises adorned with bone and shells.

another example of work by Blott Kerr-Wilson is this grotto style bathroom done in conjunction with a mural artist..

I love the fantasy of the ocean combined with the arched stone walls..

Cilwendeg Shell house- Pembrokeshire

Cilwendeg is another  folly that has been restored to its fullest beauty.

Cilwendeg

The dome was reconstructed using clues from shells buried in the area and sketches made based on similar shell rooms.

So, enjoy the ocean and its gifts.....whether simple or whimsical!

This post is dedicated to Lynne and Erling and their new life together.....you wanted a post on shell rooms....and I even managed to work in the word arris!!