A collage of three photos featuring a black inverse Mermaid's Purse pillow, a bedroom with Mermaid's Purse wallpaper and lumbar pillow in navy, and a scene of mermaid's purse washashores sitting atop red mermaid's purse printed linen.

Mermaid's Purse: What is it and why is it one of our best sellers?

Written by: Bethany Odence

A whimsical name for a special beach find...

These little curly legged beach wash ashores are commonly found on any beach walk. A mermaid's purse is the whimsical name for the protective egg case of some species of sharks, skates, and rays. These dark brown or black leathery pouches wash up on shorelines and can often be found tangled in seaweed or nestled in beach debris.

A mermaid

Our Mermaid’s Purse collection blends artistry, sustainability, and seaside creativity in every detail.

Inspired by the unique shapes of the Mermaid’s Purses and our connection to coastal living, we created hand-sketched illustrations as a way to offer a truly authentic beach-inpsired and coastal pattern. Each design is digitally printed on sustainable wallpaper and 100% eco-friendly Belgian linen, making it ideal for anyone looking to bring nature-inspired coastal decor into their beach home. Whether you're going for a total interior decor redo, or a single room, or simply want a splash of ocean-inspired wallpaper or fabric, our Mermaid’s Purse collection blends artistry, sustainability, and seaside creativity in every detail.

The fabric is available in five fun colors and the wallpaper is created to include three of our coastal hues. Nothing says Coastal quite like indoor-outdoor living. Bringing this original pattern into your decor will set your design.


Let’s explore how you can bring the beach home without the sand...

Laughing Gull Hill

Beach House Wallpaper Ideas

Our Mermaid’s Purse design was hand-sketched and brought to life on Sustainable Coastal Premium Matte Wallpaper.

The design is whimsical and certainly unexpected! 

A collage of various  Mermaid
More reasons to LOVE our Premium Matte Wallpaper

Note that our wallpaper is crafted from PVC-free paper sourced in the U.S., made with 10% post-consumer waste and FSC-certified wood pulp, ensuring eco-friendly forestry practices. Printed with water-based, odorless Latex inks, our wallpapers are durable, safe for children and pets, and free of harmful chemicals. The wallpaper features a slightly thicker and stiffer hand, ensuring enhanced durability, while its matte finish lends a beautifully refined and tactile elegance.


Our Mermaid's Purse wallpaper is a way to take your own path—whether you're reimagining an everyday entryway, wrapping a powder room in something bold, or lining the back of a bookcase for a hidden coastal wink. It's made for those of you who want their getaway, real or imagined, to feel a little more like them. Plus you’ll have conversation piece to WOW your guests!

A navy bedroom designed by Lisa Tharp using Laughing Gull Hill
Design by Lisa Tharp

The Benefits of Linen Fabric for Slipcovers, Curtains, and Relaxed Coastal Interiors

Linen fabric is a top choice for interior use, especially for slipcovers and window treatments. One of linen’s standout features is its timeless, relaxed look. It brings an effortless style to any room, whether you’re going for casual coastal or a more refined traditional style. Its subtle texture and soft drape make it ideal for curtains that fall just right and slipcovers that look tailored without being stiff. And it looks amazing in our Mermaid's Purse print!


Linen is also incredibly durable. Made from the fibers of the flax plant, it’s stronger than cotton and wears well over time. This makes it a smart investment for slipcovers, which get a lot of use. Linen can handle daily life—kids, pets, spills—and still maintain its shape and style. In fact, linen often looks better with age, developing a soft, lived-in patina that adds character.


Another reason linen is so popular for interiors is its breathability. It’s naturally temperature-regulating, which means it helps keep things cool in the summer and cozy in the cooler months.

That’s especially useful in window treatments where you want to filter light without making a room feel stuffy. Linen curtains allow light to pass through in a soft, diffused way, creating a warm, inviting glow. This window treatment designed by SV Design adds a soft breezy vibe while bringing in a touch of coastal whimsy with our Mermaid's Purse fabric.


Linen is also eco-friendly. Flax requires fewer pesticides and less water than cotton, and the entire plant can be used, leaving very little waste. For homeowners and designers who care about sustainability, linen is an excellent choice.


In short, linen offers a perfect mix of beauty, performance, and environmental benefits. It’s sturdy enough for everyday use, soft enough to add comfort, and always stylish. Whether you’re making slipcovers for a well-loved armchair or hanging breezy panels at your windows, linen is one of those materials that delivers on both form and function.

A white shiplap bathroom with black fixtures and soft linen window treatment in Laughing Gull Hill
Design by SV Design

Linen for the Everyday: Bedding, Napkins & Tabletop Style

Linen is a natural choice for bedding, thanks to its breathable, moisture-wicking properties and soft, lived-in feel that only gets better with time. A linen duvet cover brings a casual elegance to the bedroom—cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and effortlessly beautiful year-round. But linen’s versatility doesn’t stop there. It transitions seamlessly from the bedroom to the dining table, where its subtle texture and durability make it ideal for napkins and tablecloths. Whether you're layering a relaxed coastal table for guests or just adding charm to weeknight dinners, linen sets the tone with ease. And if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of decorator, linen opens the door for creativity. Cut your own table runners, stitch napkins in your favorite hem, or mix and match patterns for a personal touch. Its natural wrinkles and organic texture make perfection optional—and that’s part of its charm.

A red Mermaid
A linen napkin in Laughing Gull Hill

Need Help with Coastal Decor? We’re Here

Our Mermaid’s Purse collection—wallpaper, fabric, and pillows—is authentically coastal, uniquely detailed, and artisan-made from start to finish. Each design is hand-drawn, capturing the charm of these curious little treasures found along the shore, and printed on eco-friendly materials that suit both laid-back cottages and Coastal-luxe. 


If you’re dreaming up a project and not quite sure where to start, our in-house team—along with founder Beth Odence—is here to help. Use our contact form to get in touch. We live coastal every day and bring decades of interior design and home decor experience to the table. Whether you’re working on a full-room makeover or just need help picking the perfect pillow, we’re only an email or phone call away. We genuinely love talking design and always welcome a chance to live vicariously through our clients’ creative journeys (especially if there’s a cute dog involved).

Mermaid
Linen fabric in nantucket red Mermaid
Beth Odence, owner of Design No. Five at Laughing Gull Hill

The Author : Beth Odence

Beth Odence is the owner and designer behind Laughing Gull Hill. With a background in interior design and home staging, she is no stranger to finding strikingly beautiful ways to incorporate old and new details into cohesive spaces. Her home and studio at Laughing Gull Hill are testament to her keen eye for design.

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