Sun Bleached Tortoise Shells

Have you seen the sun bleached tortoise shells from Jayson Home?  I fell in love with the look and decided to try to make my own with a shell I already had .  

Jayson Home Shells

Here's how I created my own version with a large shell.  All I did was paint the shell with some linen white paint.  Once it was dry, I sanded some sections away and then sealed with a clear spray poly.  Here's mine.  I guess I would call it white washed instead of sun bleached.

Now that I see it next to the Jayson Home shells I think I need to sand a little more away from the edges, but other than that, I like the result.

I frequently use nature as inspiration in my decor.  Here are some photos of tortoise inspiration in my home.  Of course, these all aren't around now, just samples of my ever-changing decor.  I love how the blog catalogs all my design experiments.

Some Small Shells on My Mantel

The underside of this shell is as beautiful as the top.  

Underside of Shell Mixed With Antlers, Floats, and Framed Book Plates

I love using faux shells too.  This large shell is on a stand on my bookshelf.

Faux Tortoise Shell on My Bookshelf

Currently, this large shell decided to take up residence on one of my latest finds, a Mid Century Modern brass and chrome bookshelf.

Faux Turtle Shell on a Stack of Leather books

This next shell is real and was hanging above a framed piece of Trina Turk fabric.  I'm pretty sure it's the one I just painted.  Ha.

Large Turtle Shell

This next shell is also faux and painted black.   It's on my desk in the family room and surprise--it's actually still there.

Black Faux Shell

The shell with the unusual underside actually started out in a dough bowl on my dining room table.

Turtle Shells, Spheres, Antlers and Sea Life in a Dough Bowl

It was a no brainer when Nate Berkus created faux turtle shells for Target.  My only decision was what color.  I decided to go for the green.  I hung it above an antique framed botanical book plate in my dining room.

Nate Berkus Tortoise Shell in My Dining Room

So, is your decor nature inspired?

Kathy