Photo by Chelsea Harms

One thing I love about the ocean is the variety of flora inhabiting the coastlines. I particularly love the sea grapes of the southeast US and the Caribbean islands. These bushes-turned-trees occupy dunes and sandy patches on the beach, covered in salt from the ocean breeze they face day and night. Besides providing some of the best shade on the beach, I also like to use these leaves for decor and writing purposes.

Once dried, these large, thick leaves retain a bit of flexibility but lack their gorgeous green color. Instead, their soft browns allow for your creative mind to run wild after summer ends. For painting, they become a blank natural canvas. For decor, string them together for that “Autumn in the Islands” look for your tropical home. Need a clever piece of stationary? Use some acrylic paints or ink pens to scribble out that message. How else would you use them?