When you return from a vacation, there are always details that stay with you long after your suitcase is unpacked – from the gelato flavor you kept coming back for to the first dip in the ocean. But for me, as an interiors obsessive, it's the shell wall sconces from my dreamy Italian hotel room.
I always take away a lot of inspiration from hotel stays, and it is one of my favorite ways to get ideas for my home renovation (and a great excuse for a trip), but there was something about this retro-style coastal decor idea that I just couldn't forget.
So, determined to find a dupe on my return home, I turned to the internet. I didn’t expect to find them again – until I stumbled across a pretty dupe on Amazon for just $25.95. And I added to basket immediately.
This is the beautiful, straight out of a Wes Anderson movie, bedroom at the Il Capri Hotel in Capri, Italy. The entire hotel is a neo-Gothic style pink palace and is peppered with stylish, subtle nods to the seaside.
Now, while I don't own a coastal palazzo, I do like a shell. Sue me. And there's something so romantic and nostalgic about these sconces that feels like they'd work in any space imaginable, no matter your interior design style. They emit a super soft glow that is perfect for creating a luxury hotel-style bedroom.
The Ekena Millwork Shell Wall Sconces from Amazon are the perfect dupe. They're lightweight, primed, and can be painted should you wish to match them to your wall color. And for under $30, they offer a surprisingly high-end feel. I also love that they are carved into so much detail that gives a more realistic look, rather than a simple shell silhouette.
These pretty shells are made from urethane, a strong and durable material that acts like a foam when injected into a mould and behaves like plaster without the risk of cracking or warping. They're easy to install using adhesive or nails and will make the most beautiful addition to walls or cabinetry.
Now, what the shells on holiday have over these is that they are actual lights. These sconces from Amazon can simply be used as wall decor, as a chic idea for things to hang on walls that aren't prints, or I've got a hack for you.
Simply add in these Wireless LED Puck Lights from Amazon and you've got light-up shell wall lights that are battery and remote operated, for a bargain. Reviewers have claimed they have done the same, and that they're easy to carve into should you need more space for the light, or can be drilled into to add wiring of your own if you're a bit more of a DIY whizz.
This is what we did in our home, and they honestly feel like adding our own piece of Italy to the bedroom. The perfect post-vacation memento.
If you'd rather shop simply (minus the DIY-ing), I've found three pretty shell wall sconces below that require little more effort than hanging them up if your budget can stretch a little further.
Handmade in California from durable ceramic, these pretty shells come complete with installation hardware and are easy to mount with concealed wiring. They're then finished in a natural bare state, which you can choose to be in any color, just simply send the seller your chosen paint color.
Designed to be bathroom safe, these glass shell-shaped vanity lights are another great Amazon find. I love that you can still grab a bargain with these, and they're both functional as lights and super decorative, too. They can be hung facing up or down, and reviewers recommend E12 bulbs.
This Art Deco-style Serena & Lily light might be one of the most expensive shell sconces I've found, but it certainly is also the most elegant. It's also much better, and made from cast stone, which is then hand-painted white. This light isn't suitable for bathrooms, but it can be hardwired into any other room.
If you're in the mood to keep upgrading your space on a budget, now's the perfect time – especially with Amazon Prime Day in full steam this week. If you're looking for more beautiful bargains to add to your basket, check out our round-up of the best Amazon deals that will give your home that designer feel without the designer price tag.
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