Feathering Your Floating Nest – Getting Started
Getting Started: Taking A Space Inventory
Even on a small boat, the prospect of decorating can be daunting. We recommend breaking the process down into individual steps. The first step, is to get a clear idea of exactly what spaces on the boat you want to decorate.
Your list of available spaces will vary, depending on your boat, and you may decide not to decorate all of the available spaces, but here’s a good starting outline for reviewing all available onboard spaces. While you might come up with many more decorating options, or decide not to include as many, the following list will provide you with a good starting point.
SPACES AVAILABLE |
DÉCOR OPTIONS |
COCKPIT/AFT DECK |
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- Settees & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws, Towels |
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- Table |
Mats, Linens, Centerpiece, Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware |
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- Open Areas |
Ice Chest, Seating, Shoe/Towel Baskets, Cushions |
FLYBRIDGE/UPPER DECK |
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- Settees & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws, Towels |
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- Open Areas |
Ice Chest, Seating, Cushions, Sunbathing Gear Baskets |
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- Table |
Mats, Linens, Centerpiece, Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware |
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- Bar |
Drinkware, Serveware, Linens |
GALLEY/DINING AREA |
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- Countertops |
Cooking/Serving/Storage Accessories, Florals |
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- Cabinets & Drawers |
Cookware, Serveware |
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- Dining Table |
Mats, Linens, Centerpiece |
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Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware |
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- Settees/Benches & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
MAIN SALON |
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- Settees/Benches & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
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- Windows/Portholes |
Curtains |
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- Coffee/Accent Tables |
Centerpieces, Coasters, Florals, Decorative Accessories |
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- Bulkheads |
Wall Art, Instrumentation |
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- Open Areas |
Ottomans, Baskets, Florals, Decorative Accessories |
HEADS, BUNKS & CABINS |
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- Heads |
Towels, Mats, Holders, Decorative Accessories |
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- Bunks/Beds |
Sheets, Blankets/Spreads, Pillows, Throws |
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- Settees/Benches |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
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- Cabins |
Mats/Rugs, Wall Art, Curtains, Decorative Accessories |
A thorough review of your boat will give you a detailed list of the spaces you have available to decorate as well as identify the usable items already onboard and the items that need to be added or replaced.
Here’s a sample inventory of Decorating Space Options and Needs.
SPACES AVAILABLE |
DÉCOR OPTIONS |
NEEDS |
COCKPIT/AFT DECK |
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- Settees & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws & Towels |
Cushions OK as is Pillows for two settees – outdoor fabric 2x outdoor throws, 4-8 beach towels Monogram? |
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- Table |
Linens, Dinnerware, Drinkware & Flatware |
Use same as indoors- Outdoor fabric Outdoor serving trays |
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Centerpiece |
Floral – suitable for outdoors |
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- Open Areas |
Ice Chest, Extra Seating |
Both N/A |
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Cushions, Shoe/Towel Baskets |
Cushions OK as is Need to hold 4-8 beach towels |
FLYBRIDGE/UPPER DECK |
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- Settees & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws, Towels |
Pillows for one settee – outdoor fabric Cushions OK as is, use same towels & throws as aft deck/cockpit |
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- Open Areas |
Ice Chest, Seating, Cushions, Sunbathing Gear Baskets |
2x teak lounge chairs? Use same towel baskets as aft deck |
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- Table |
Mats, Linens, Centerpiece, Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware |
Use same pieces as aft deck |
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- Bar |
Drinkware, Serveware, Linens |
Use same pieces as aft deck |
GALLEY/DINING AREA |
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- Countertops |
Cooking/Serving/Storage Accessories, Florals |
Need new airtight plastic containers. Floral arrangement for counter? |
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- Cabinets & Drawers |
Cookware, Serveware |
Cookware ok as is. Need non-breakable serving bowls & platters & servers |
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- Dining Table |
Mats, Linens, Centerpiece |
8x non-skid settings 8x special occasion settings |
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Dinnerware, Flatware |
8x non-breakable 8x stainless flatware |
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Drinkware |
8x all purpose non-breakable 8x wine non-breakable, 8coffee mugs |
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- Settees/Benches & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
Cushions OK as is. Need Pillows for a semi-circular settee |
MAIN SALON |
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- Settees/Benches & Chairs |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
Pillows for one settee & 2 chairs Cushions ok. Use same throws as aft deck |
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- Windows/Portholes |
Curtains |
OK as is |
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- Coffee/Accent Tables |
Centerpieces, Coasters, Florals, Decorative Accessories |
Coffee table centerpiece & décor. One side table – lamp? & decor |
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- Bulkheads |
Wall Art, Instrumentation |
2 bulkheads – art? Framed pics? |
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- Open Areas |
Ottomans, Baskets, Florals, Decorative Accessories |
Florals behind sofa? Accessorize? |
HEADS, BUNKS & CABINS |
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- Heads |
Towels, Mats, Holders, Decorative Accessories |
Coordinating TP holder, Tissue holder, towel rod/hooks, waste bin under sink, counter floral? Bath, Hand & face towels Teak or washable mat? All x 4 heads |
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- Bunks/Beds |
Sheets, Blankets/Spreads, Pillows, Throws |
Sheets, spreads & pillows for 2 beds Sheets, blankets, pillows for 4 bunks |
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- Settees/Benches |
Cushions, Pillows, Throws |
Pillows/throw for master |
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- Cabins |
Mats/Rugs, Wall Art, Curtains, Decorative Accessories |
Wall art for 2 bunk cabins, 2 staterooms Side table accessories for 4 cabins |
From this thorough inventory, you can develop your decorating shopping list:
Boat Decor Shopping List:
Pillows & Throws
– 6 Outdoor pillows for aft deck settees & flybridge settee
– 2 matching throws for 2 aft deck & flybridge settees
– 4 Indoor pillows for dining table settee
– 4 Indoor pillows for main salon settee & 2 for chairs
– 10 Decorative pillows & 2 throws for 2 beds & 4 bunks – coordinate with bedding
– 2-3 Indoor pillows for master stateroom settee – coordinate with bedding
Bedding
– sheets, spreads, pillows for 2 beds, 4 bunks
Tabletop & Bar
– Non-skid placemats/matching napkins & rings for 8
– Special occasion placemats/matching napkins & rings for 8
– Non-breakable dinnerware for 8 (Corelle or melamine)
– Non-breakable all-purpose tall & short tumblers, red/white wine glasses & flutes for 8
– Stainless flatware for 8 (Serving Spoons/Forks)
Galley
– Airtight plastic containers for galley
– Non-breakable serving bowls, pitcher & platters – coordinate with dinnerware & linens
Florals
– Table centerpieces (main salon coffee table, dining table, aft deck, flybridge)
– Main salon floor & side tables, galley countertop
Decorative Accessories
– Main salon coffee table
– Main salon side & behind settee decor – sculpture? books? lamps?
– Wall art for main salon & 4 cabins
Heads
– Coordinating TP holder, towel holder, hooks (4 heads)
– Waste bin & tissue holder (4 heads)
– Coordinating towels (bath, hand, face) & mats for 4 heads
Misc.
– 8 beach towels – monogrammed?
– basket for beach towels & sun gear
– 2 teak lounge chairs?
Now that you have your shopping list, the next step to Feathering Your Nest is deciding on your decorating style and researching what’s available.
DJ
