13 Must-Haves for Your Home’s Nautical Theme With Memo Faraj

With bases in coastal Delaware and New York City, artist and interior decorator, Memo Faraj, loves sourcing vintage decor and art. His own world travels and experience in the fashion industry over the last twenty years inspires his designs. His business, Memo Faraj Studio, has a unique, collected aesthetic stemming from Memo's diverse background.

Memo bases his unique approach to design on contradiction, which allows him to create spaces that reflect each client's personality. This approach drives his business and differentiates it from other design firms.

He focuses his art on science or nature subjects themes, with coral reefs and entomology (insects) being constant sources of inspiration.

A unique vignette of Memo's framed insect art collection

Memo Faraj Studio offers services in interior design, decorating and styling, consulting, sourcing, and inspiration development.

How did you get started in your business?

I spent almost twenty years working in multiple facets of the fashion industry. I spent the majority of that time in sales leadership roles. However merchandising and styling have always been a strong suit of mine, a pure joy for me.

I love playing matchmaker, uniting people with items they will love and speak to their personal style. Identifying and developing someone's style is part of the adventure too. Although fashion became my career, my passion was in interiors and art.

Looking for a unique gallery wall idea? Consider a nautical theme gallery wall.

The pandemic was the push I needed to take a leap into following my love of decor. With everyone stuck at home, the timing was in my favor. I began to source and sell vintage online through Instagram. I would paint in my downtime and pair my paintings with vintage frames.

Clients who were purchasing vintage invested in my work and I began taking commissions as well. My job suddenly became this thing that was so fun and enjoyable - is it really a job at that point?

I am at the start of my third year and have developed some wonderful clients who have become dear friends. I have orchestrated a unique style in which I drop my collections and I continuously develop my artistic aesthetic. I have so many ideas and I am thankful to be able to explore them as I further develop my niche.

How would you describe your personal aesthetic/taste/style?

People often associate my style with nautical themes because my gallery wall is full of ship paintings. I love nautical paintings, and I have over 100 of them in my collection. I live near the sea, and it's a big part of my life - but it's just one element of my style.

I would describe my style as "Naturalist, traveler, explorer – with a love of art, curiosities and oddities." I can't seem to settle on one word.

I love orchestrating the beautiful and the ugly into a sort of harmony. I have a very capricious style. I am inspired by so many things, experiences and places I've been, and cultures I've experienced.

Movies are a significant inspiration directly, and indirectly to my style as well. Out of Africa. What A Way To Go. Beetlejuice. Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. Of course, anything Wes Anderson – just to name a few.

Touches of nautical pieces subtley dot the room from the the ship painting above the fireplace to the collection of shells on the coffee table. Be inspired to mix-it-up!

What is your favorite item you have ever purchased through an estate sale or online auction?

An oversized equestrian painting that I have in my living room above the main couch. It's about five feet wide. The horse has so much character!! It's one of those paintings you wouldn't think anyone would ever get rid of. It's huge and unique!

I wish I knew more about the artist, but sometimes you can't find any information about them or the painting's history. When I won the bid, I went on a roadtrip and drove four hours to Pocahontas, Pennsylvania. Picked it up from a house literally in the middle of this heavily forested area with no cell reception. It was SO worth the journey and experience picking it up, I love it!

An oversized equestrian painting hands above a cream white sofa while a mixed assortment of shells and other artifacts decorate the coffee table

Memo Faraj’s Curation

With his unique taste and experience in home decorating, Memo selects some must-have items for an eclectic nautical-themed decor. These items have a rich history and are currently available in several online auctions.

These pieces can inspire you to create a gallery wall of your own. These unique and eclectic items may call you to decorate your space with a new twist.

1. Fabulous Mid Century French Provincial Upholstered Sofa (item #: 215489)

2. Pair of Signed Charles Biesel (American, 1865-1945) Etchings, Seascapes (item #: 217445)

3. Vintage Upholstered Wingback Bergere Chair and Footstool (item #: 215488)

4. 20th Century Goldtone Temple Rubbing Depicting Saint George and The Dragon (item #: 217557)

5. Signed St. Vincent Etching from Mostecka Old Town, Modern Day Czech Republic (item #: 217532)

6. Ornate Gilt Mirror with Flowers and Swags (item #: 218991)

7. Antique Nautical Oil in Canvas with Steam Ship (item #: 217412)

8. Antique Oil on Canvas with Steamship Nord (item #: 217413)

9. Antique American Humphrey Bookcase & Co. Oak Barrister Bookcase (Circa 1900) (item #: 215487)

10. A Great English Victorian Mahogany Specimen Cabinet for Restoration (item #: 217371)

11. American Late Federal Snake Foot Candlestand, CA. 1800-1830 (item #: 217789)

12. Large Ceramic Vase with an Abstract Pattern (item #: 218490)

13. Large Hand Knotted Wool Persian Carpet - 12' 1½" X 101½" (item #: 217855)

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