7/6/09

Raising the Flags -Decorating Ideas with Nautical Signal Flags

hanging nautical signal flags on ceilingThis is the "groom shack" of the Mallard Island Yacht Club in New Jersey..., but it might as well be a living room, dressed up with nautical signal flags for a party.

nautical signal flags in bathroom
Decorating with a set of 1950s nautical signal flags from South France.

hanging signal flags in dining room
Flags complete the ship ambiance in this sitting area (same source as above).


And a dining room featured @ Nautical Decor -Loving Life at Sea. The flags represent the letters of the alphabet and you can spell out a message such as "Welcome" or "Happy Birthday"..., Translate your Message into flag language and find out their meaning here.

large vintage signal flag
Then going oversize with an outdated allied signal flag design that stands for the number 4, seen at Apartment Therapy.


Raising nautical signal flags Outdoors. So where can you buy them?

nautical signal flags
Pottery Barn carries strands of eight flags modeled after those used by ships at sea...

vintage nautical signal flag
... or get the real deal and look for vintage nautical signal flags on Vintage Nautical Signal Flags on Ebay.


13 comments:

Linda at Lime in the Coconut! said...

I love those nautical flags! And love how you pointed us where to buy them! I have seen some great nautical flag pillows on etsy too!

kathi said...

I'm following your site for ideas for my dollhouse! That first photo and the one with the corner benches are great! I'm surely going to add some nautical flags too! Thanks so much for your inspiration!!

Juju said...

Those are fun!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

OH I love these little nautical flags.. I so want some.. wonder if Pottery Barn posts to Australia.!! Don't you love the painting in pic#2. Now wish I could buy that!

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

Wonderful post! Thanks!

Olive Rue said...

Great photos, Maya. Makes me want to go to the beach.

erinlovesdesign said...

I love these flags, they add such nice color to a room.

Enchanted Treasures said...

Love the vintage flags from South France! Cute idea!
Roberta

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I need to go Google Mallard Island Yacht Club...maybe they'll let me crash for the day! :-)

Pearl Maple said...

Great post, flags sure can add a lot to the beach theme.

suscipe said...

coastal-cushions.com has pillows 'inspired by nautical flags' in lots of different colors

IB Designs, USA - Kathy said...

Hi,
We came across your site and love the pictures of how people use nautical signal flags to decorate! That's exactly why we put together our own small business. We make handcrafted 8x8" flags entirely out of cotton and broadcloth, specifically for home decorating. Commercial flags are often just too large.

As we got going, starting with rope banners, we found many people wanted a way to make a signal-flag valance for window treatments. We also invented a vertical ladder for places without a lot of room.

We offer all the alphabet flags in as many flags as someone wants. Customers can spell their own, personal message and not be limited to entire sets, a few antique flags, or expensive ship-sized flags.

We really love the colors and patterns, and thought others would like them too. So for the past four years, we've been making banners, valances and ladders for folks all over the country.

You've definitely got some great examples. :-)

Best regards,
Kathy F.
IB Designs, USA
"Anything you can spell, we can make."

adrienne said...

We also carry/sell authentic, flown maritime signal flags - every letter of the alphabet! www.PiecesOfShip.com. We ship all over the U.S. as well. Love your site!