Here's how to pull off the capiz shell in your home while looking glam

Consider the capiz shell Mother Nature putting on her very best to impress. These glamorous, translucent oyster shells are a breathtaking element from the sea that is putting a unique stamp on home décor.

Designer Joanna Buchanan says, “Capiz is the most beautiful material because of the way it takes color and its luminosity. It’s a brilliant way to add glam and a luxe feeling to a room in a subtle way.”

Living her childhood years in the Philippines, Buchanan saw capiz used in decorative objects and handicrafts everywhere. This shell is so versatile that it’s also known as a windowpane oyster, a nod to its original use as a glass substitute in the Philippines.

Taken from the Placuna placenta mollusk that is native to the seas of Southeast Asia, thin capiz shells boast an ethereal effect when inlaid in furniture, mirror frames, and decorative boxes, hung against a wall in a simple display, or elegantly cascading down a chandelier.

Buchanan says, “I adore the subtle luster, and the way it throws colors is just stunning.”

While a beach bungalow begs for a décor full of shells, most homes might take issue with going full-on capiz. These shells do remind us of the ocean, sand, and everything coastal, but that doesn’t mean they can’t elevate home décor outside the realm of the coastal cottage.

Here are a few tips on how to place this lovely, pearlescent element throughout your home without any kitsch at all.

Capiz brings an otherworldly vibe to ordinary objects

“This medium doesn't need to be limited to beach shapes,” explains Buchanan, who has launched her own Capiz Home Décor collection. “To avoid overkill, stay away from coastal shapes. A fish in capiz may be a bit much and look more kitsch than chic.”

The nature of the capiz shell material offers up an otherworldliness without feeling novelty, so you can mix mediums and shapes easily for show-stopping conversation pieces.

• Get the Capiz Skull at Joanna Buchanan for $98
• Get the Capiz Wall Flower at Anthropologie for $108
• Get the Faceted Square Capiz Wall Art at West Elm for $439

With light and lamps, capiz shells will glow

Play up the translucent nature by putting capiz where they can glow. A dangling capiz chandelier adds a great vibe to a dining area, while a simple table lamp shade made entirely of capiz reflects the light beautifully.

As capiz shells typically come as disks, they also play well against a wall and fill the space beautifully.

• Get the Gold Capiz Tapered Table Lamp Shade at World Market for $39.99
• Get the Capiz Scalloped Chandelier at Serena & Lily for $698
• Get the Luna Capiz Pendant Light at CB2 for $349

Pair capiz shells with bold colors and patterns

To balance out the fragility of a capiz shell and create a statement in any type of décor from modern to coastal, try blending it with bold color and patterns such as deep blues, elegant black, and even thick stripes.

This will transition you from cottage to chic, according to Buchanan.

• Get the Extra-large Striped Capiz Tray in Black at Joanna Buchanan for $288
• Get the Lavender Lotus Flower Capiz Candleholder at Etsy for $23.50

One capiz statement piece per room is enough

While capiz shells can be glam and gorgeous, avoid having an ocean of them in a single space.

“Keep the shapes of the capiz product simple and clean, and limit the amount of pieces to one per room,” suggests Buchanan. “This way, the object will really have its own moment to shine. It’s better to indulge in one capiz piece that you absolutely love than to pack in too much.”

• Get the Ella Capiz Media Console at West Elm for $1,999
• Get the Miranda Capiz Round Mirror at Pottery Barn for $399

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.