Boat Interiors

Beyond Lighthouses and Seagulls

January 2003
 
 
When we got our hands *back* on our 40' Chris Craft 1948 double cabin cruiser (with an enclosed bridge) it had been stripped of all belongings.  It was a fresh canvas (so-to-speak).  We had to "repo" it. Appearently, the guy who had been aboard was afraid of sandpaper and didn't know how to work a paintbrush. Personally, I think he just slept there...for over five years. I wanted to cry.

It was very dirty and we needed to get it ready for a speedy resale!  My husband has owned it since '89 and lived aboard for 8 years.  He had kept it original, opting to fill it with antiques...right down to the heavy black rotary telephone from the 50's.  (That's about the only item that had been left on the boat as a matter-of-fact.)

 
Anyway, it needed a good "fluff" to help with the sale.  We needed to play up the fact that it is like stepping back in time and tone down the "It needs to be updated like the boat in the slip next to it".  In fact, we saw a similar classic Chris Craft beauty for sale, but it was like comparing apples to oranges.  
  • Theirs was the weekend camper -- ours was the "cocktail cruiser".  
  • Theirs had all the chrome painted to blend into the wood tones of the deck -- my husband had been taking the chrome piece-by-piece over the years to be re-plated.  
  • Theirs had all the flashy gear -- ours had that rotary telephone I mentioned. However, we had tried to hide all the "state-of-the-art" necessities behind cupboard doors.
  • Theirs had linoleum flooring -- my husband had installed oak flooring throughout. 

Our boat isn't straight from the factory authentic, but it has so much warmth that it touches the heart of guests.

My husband and I talked about letting me have a small budget to fill it with fun, funky items from the era.  I started looking back in August.  It has been a blast!  

It seemed odd that just about every boating shop sold accessories that had red and white lighthouses and seagulls.  These primary color tones were on towels, dinnerware, glasses and anything else you needed for your boat. What about adding personality and flair?  A classic boat would be more fun with antiques and fantastic fabrics!  You are only limited by your own imagination.

 

I learned so much that I'd like to pass on to others. The theme on ours is "elegant early 50's retro".  

I searched antique shops, yard and garage sales, on line auction sites and junk shops.  I was surprised at the number of early 50's items were available for yard sale prices.  There is a lot out there to be had for pennies.  I searched on line auction sites for "MELMAC dishes" and found the perfect plastic aqua color to match the galley colors.  I ended up with multiple pieces from mixed sets.  they added a "gathered over time" quaintness as if the boat had the same owner since 1948. 

I knew I needed fresh fabrics for the bunks, but I wanted era appropriate prints.  "BARKCLOTH" curtain panels from the 50's were made for floor to ceiling windows...long enough for a bunk bed coverlet with some sewing!  I also made pillow shams (not pictured) from the extra fabric, but instead of pillows, I folded our kids' slumber bags and tucked them inside.  A "Barbie" sleeping bag isn't exactly attractive, but a nice BARKCLOTH pillow sham is wonderful for hiding clutter!  

I had enough left over to reupholster the "captain's chair" which had a seam ripped out that couldn't be repaired without a professional being called in.  That wasn't within our budget.

 

 

I started thinking we needed to buy a boat every couple of years to redecorate and resale.
Now, I ran this idea by my husband.  He was funny, "NO MORE BOATS FOR AWHILE..."

 

 

I'll be a consultant for you! Pick a theme and era and I could put together a "$100 package, $200 package... on up".

 

A good cleaning and "fluff" before putting a boat up for sale, or a great service for a new owner that would like to redecorate.  I could create unique "package deals".  Linens, dinnerware, fabrics, accessory items and artwork. 

So, just pick a theme. Most folks just need an idea, or direction and then they can RUN with it

 The boat owner could sell the items with the vessel, or a broker could rotate items from boat to boat. Long time boat owners may enjoy a fresh fun look to share with their guests that come aboard.

 

 

Here's some theme ideas:
 
HOWDY DOODY.  A big 50's wooden boat with vintage fabrics like you would picture in a little boy's bedroom in the 50's.  Cowboys, plaids, rope detail, red and white dinnerware and artwork or hint at that "Howdy Doody" quaint appeal. 

 
TIKI BAR or COCKTAIL CRUISER.  More fun vintage tropical print fabrics, bamboo accessories.  Silly barware items and artwork tucked throughout the boat.  Even the head could be a fun spot to decorate for your guests.

 
COTTON CANDY.  This one is for a smaller 40's or early 50's Chris Craft.  "Cotton Candy" as the name on the transom.  Use aqua green and pink with white colors inside.  Could go with an "atomic" print in those colors for fabrics or a silly polka dot.  Once again, Melmac plastic dishes in the aqua and pink.  For whimsy, why not throw in a pink flamingo in the artwork?  I've seen great mirrors in the antique stores with pink flamingos that are actually classy.

 
A pink galley aboard THE COTTON CANDY ?
 
 

 

Pick a theme or era

tropical prints

 

 

 

 

 

  Melmac plastic dishes come in many colors, shapes and patterns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiki Bar or Cocktail Cruiser

Mod Squad fan?

Let the vintage fabric inspire you

Here's how to pick paint colors too.



Atomic theme

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Completely Unrelated To Farm

1948 40' Chris Craft FOR SALE

 

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