Mermaid Kisses & Coastal Wishes: Create a Beachy Rustic Sign Full of Seaside Charm

If you're dreaming of sandy beaches, salty air, and coastal decor, this easy DIY sign is the perfect project to bring those seaside vibes into your home. Amanda Dillon of Mettle Modern Design created this charming Coastal Rustic Mermaid Sign using Essential Stencil products, simple painting techniques, and layered rub-on transfers. The result is a weathered beach-inspired piece that's perfect for a bathroom, beach house, entryway, or any coastal-themed space.

Inspired by Amanda's creative style? Be sure to follow Amanda Dillon of Mettle Modern Design for more DIY inspiration and creative home decor projects.

Table of Contents

• Materials Needed
• Step 1: Prep the Wood Plank
• Step 2: Apply the Wood Stain
• Step 3: Create a Weathered Coastal Finish
• Step 4: Stencil the Mermaid Phrase
• Step 5: Add Colorful Starfish Accents
• Step 6: Apply the Mermaid Tail Transfer
• Step 7: Finish with Seashell Details
• Final Reveal

Coastal Rustic Mermaid Sign

Step 1: Prep the Wood Plank

Begin by lightly sanding your wood plank to create a smooth surface for staining and painting. This helps remove rough spots and prevents splinters while giving your finished project a more polished look.

Step 2: Apply the Wood Stain

Using a staining sponge, apply brown wood stain over the entire board, including the edges and sides. Allow the stain to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Create a Weathered Coastal Finish

Brush white chalk paint across the stained board using a chip brush. Allow some of the stained wood to remain visible underneath. This dry-brushed technique creates beautiful texture and gives the sign a weathered beach-house appearance.

Once dry, lightly sand the surface if desired for an even softer, aged finish.

Step 4: Stencil the Mermaid Phrase

Center the Mermaid Kisses Stencil Set on the board. Using turquoise paint and a Stencil Brush, apply paint with a light up-and-down motion.

Carefully remove the stencil and allow the design to dry.

The bright turquoise lettering instantly creates a fun coastal focal point.

Step 5: Add Colorful Starfish Accents

After the phrase has dried, use the starfish designs included in the stencil set to add decorative accents around the sign. Fill the starfish with pink paint using a Mini Stencil Brush.

These colorful details help balance the design and reinforce the beach-inspired theme.

Step 6: Apply the Mermaid Tail Transfer

Cut out the mermaid tail design from the Under The Sea Transfer Set and position it along the bottom of the sign.

Use the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool to burnish the transfer until it fully releases onto the surface.

Step 7: Finish with Seashell Details

Cut out the seashell and seaweed designs from the same transfer set and arrange them around the mermaid tail. Burnish them into place to create dimension and visual interest.

Layering transfers is an easy way to make a simple sign look professionally designed.

Final Reveal

Your Coastal Rustic Mermaid Sign is complete! The combination of weathered wood, vibrant stencil details, and layered coastal transfers creates a beautiful piece of beach-inspired decor that's easy to customize for your own space.

Ready to create your own coastal masterpiece? Shop the Mermaid Kisses Stencil Set and Under The Sea Transfer Set to get started on your next beach-inspired DIY project.

🎥 Watch the Full Tutorial

Want to follow along with Amanda as she creates this beautiful Coastal Rustic Mermaid Sign? Watch the full step-by-step video below and see each technique in action!

If you enjoyed this project, be sure to give the video a 👍, subscribe for more creative tutorials, and share your finished mermaid sign with us—we'd love to see your coastal creations!