Decorating on the Half Shell: Clamshells in Home Decor

Restoration Hardware

Even though the clamshells I’m looking at aren’t real (most are made of resin), I love how the shape, size, and texture of these beauties adds a dramatic yet natural feel to a room. I’ve seen designers use them in almost every room of the house and not only those with a coastal themed design. Large clamshells are a great decorative accent on bookcases and consoles whether they are filled with greenery, coral or other ocean treasures, or left unfilled:

Wisteria

Clamshells can also be used in bathrooms as shown {here} (they are great for holding towels!), to add some interest to a fireplace as shown {here} or in place of your typical sink as shown in {this} and {this beach house powder room}.

Some of the giant resin clamshells are made to be used both indoors and out – they can hold towels by the pool

Pottery Barn

or iced drinks for an outdoor part as shown {here}.

There are actually lots of clamshell options out there, including Ballard Designs’ Giant Clam Shell  (21.5″ x 16.5″) for $129.00,

Wisteria’s Decorative Oyster Bowl (27″ x 16.25″) for $139,

Restoration Hardware’s 18th C. French Rocaille Clamshells, which come in four different sizes and range in price from $105 – $269 (although they are currently on sale for less),

Pottery Barn’s Richard Taylor Scallop Shell Bowl (31″ x 22″) for $149,

and Z Gallerie’s Extra-Large Atlantis Clam Shell (28″ x 18″) for $129.95:

My favorites are the ones from Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn because they incorporate some brown tones, giving them a more aged, weathered finish. Do you have a clamshell as a decorative accent anywhere in your home?