Beach side cottage charm has long been inspired by the nautical creatures that it neighbors, but we’re starting to see a shift in the trend of aquatic accents. The seaside-inspired designs are being given a modern makeover, and though still channeling the ocean’s characters, are proving that aquatic can absolutely have an artistic edge, widening the design styles that they can be incorporated in, from quaint cottage to sleek city loft. Artist and photographer Adam Wallacavage’s coveted trademark is his tentacled chandeliers. The magnificent creatures are made with epoxy clay, lamp parts, spray paint and a secret that gives the octopus adornments a glassy look. David Trubridge also channeled the depths of the ocean for his lighting design for Y Lighting. The coral-shaped bamboo pieces are handmade, coming in a variety of colors, and cast interesting shadows on the walls creating a luxe glow.

Inspired by his childhood, New York City-based artist Kevin McHugh puts a glittering twist on his family tradition of deep-sea fishing enthusiasm in his wall art design for Vivre. Here, in a fiberglass rendition encrusted with more than 10,000 sparkling bright orange and hyacinth Swarovski crystals, McHugh reinterprets the trophy fish as brilliantly executed wall art.

And while these high-end designers are tackling the aquatic accents trend, the stores we know and love are taking note. They’ve managed to effortlessly blend the aquatic motif into modern, sleek designs, such as the Maggie wallpaper design by Spruce and the Starfish table by From the Source NY, both of which feature designs that aren’t in-your-face aquatic, but stylishly nod to the trend in their own savvy sea creature way. Others are taking the trend and giving it a boho or glam twist, as seen in Anthropologie’s whimsical hand-painted angelfish platter, C. Wonder’s elegant polished silver-plated seahorse pillars and the glitz starfish bowl by Z Gallerie.

This twist on the trend just goes to show that you don’t need a beach house to enjoy seaside-inspired designs!