“Sea Oats,” Anna Maria Beach, 2012

“Sea Oats,” Anna Maria Beach, 2012

In the 1970s, I remember tall vases of wispy grasses and feathers considered stylish in American decor. The scene was flush with funky wicker chairs that hung from the ceiling or rattan and circular “ginormous pillow holders” — not to mention horrible color combinations that I fear are coming back as retro. It was a style in my formative years, and when I’d see signs about not picking the sea oats because they help stabilize beaches, I thought it was to warn people like me who wanted to use the stunning stalks for interior decorating. Maybe at first that was the idea behind the public information campaign, but then I learned what it costs to try to restore and stabilize a beach. Any idea what local governments pay to purchase nursery-produced sea oats? Warning beach visitors about state statutes and the fines involved in harvesting any of the sea oat seeds is about more than beach stabilization. It’s a multi-million dollar industry. Still, with all the development we’ve allowed along Florida’s beaches, I’m glad to see them at work.

Small: 11.25” x 7.5” – $100.00 | Medium: 33.75” x 22.5” – $210.00 | Large: 45” x 30” – $375.00