Unless we visit the New England coast for a vacation, most landlocked Dallasites won't get to see lobster buoys in action.

NATALIE CAUDILL/DMN

Lobster buoys can be hung singly or in groups to evoke seaside ambience.

Some lobstermen "fish singles," which means they have one buoy floating on the water to mark the location of each lobster trap.

But in many areas, they "fish strings," meaning they have a number of traps roped together and set in a line, with buoys at each end of the string.

And buoy oh buoy, they look neat in clusters, whether in or out of the water.

I found a nice string of lobster buoys at an architectural salvage yard in Galveston and decided to create a summer mantel decoration.

I took each colorful buoy and hung it from a single white nail on my white brick mantel.

The buoys are a conversation piece, and they help me feel close to the ocean.

Beach accents are plentiful in home décor shops this year, so I knew I was in step with the trend.

Buoys also could be used in a child's room that has a nautical theme.

Other ideas: tie a group of buoys together and hang them on a boathouse wall, or use them to decorate a door.

And what about stringing individual buoys on fishing line and hanging them from the ceiling over a rustic serving table? Allow the buoys to be suspended at varying levels and enjoy a well-decorated summer gathering.

Clare Miers is a Dallas freelance writer and stylist.

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