Coastal Pleasures and Island Treasures

10 Rooms: Color Post: How the Natural Light in your Space Af...

2013-06-24T12:09:00.001-04:00

10 Rooms: Color Post: How the Natural Light in your Space Af...: I'm going to start including a few more color posts on the blog, because it seems like so many of my clients have similar questions for...

10 Rooms: the difference between gray, grey, warm grey, beig...

2013-06-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

10 Rooms: the difference between gray, grey, warm grey, beig...: Yesterday, I was speaking to a client about the difference between grey, greige, beige and taupe. It's a conversation I have A ...

Interior Design for the Coastal Lifestyle……..

2011-09-03T00:21:00.051-04:00

Hectic lives and stressful days can be left behind when you step across your threshold into surroundings that melt away the cares of the world and remind you of a good day at the at the beach even if you don't live near the sea.

Interiors that are designed with seaside living in mind provide a refuge and create a feeling of serenity and tranquility. It's all about bringing the outdoors indoors by emulating the textures, patterns and colors of the sea, sky, sun and sand.

Colors of the Sea, Sky, Sand and Sun

These spaces can be decorated in an extreme casual or “shabby” look to a more formal but relaxed feel. The color palette can range from vibrant to the subdued. Regardless if you desire an interior that says surfboard decor or high end habitat, the coastal lover wants an environment that is welcoming, comfortable and memorable.

A Hint of Whimsy

Interiors that bring the outdoors into the living space are therapeutic and promote a healthy connection between mind, body and spirit. Leave your stresses at the door and enter into your sanctuary where you are re-energized physically, mentally and emotionally.

Relax, Unwind and Rejuvenate

Relax, laugh, enjoy and relive the wonderful experiences of the past, share good times in the present and and look to the future in a positive light.

Look to the ocean to rock us to sleep in the evenings, and in the morning, the sun to bring life to our slumbering world. Imagine the gentle sound of the morning tide, the warmth of the rising sun , blue skies, the feel of the cool ocean breezes engulfing our senses bringing a heightened sense of awareness of our place in that perfect moment in time.

The Beach House Cookbook

2011-03-12T15:05:00.014-05:00

There's nothing better than a day at the beach and great meal before, during and after!

In this book culinary expert Barbara Scott-Goodman shows you how to create mouthwatering dishes that still leave time to enjoy the ocean breeze.

Fill your summer days and nights with fabulous food! Whether you're a weekend traveler or a year-round beach house dweller, here are more than seventy-five healthful, easy-to-prepare recipes that will make your next meal no ordinary day at the beach.

Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die

2011-03-04T11:31:00.003-05:00

This book was chosen as the book of the month for March because, for the first time in my life, I will be taking a cruise and thought it an appropriate way to celebrate my new adventure.

Every time I go on a trip to a beautiful locale and think there is no place more beautiful I'm made aware that the beauty of this earth is unending.

If I had a "bucket list" of places I wanted to visit before I die I would fill it with the names of many of the destinations in this book and if I could actually make it to a mere handful I would consider myself extremely fortunate!

Excerpt from inside cover:

Landlubbers joke that sailors are ever ready to head off to the ends of the earth, but Chris Santella has learned that some people take this life-changing desire very seriously. In this, the 3rd installment in his immensely successful "Fifty Places" series, Santella assembles a crew of championship racers, professional adventurers, and other sailing aficionados and asks them to share their favorite destinations around the globe.

French Polynesia - Mopelia

Coastlines around the world are represented, and the chosen spots include some spectacular inland waters like this shot of Mopelia in French Polynesia.

Coastal Cottage Living Courtesy of Maine Cottage

2011-02-18T10:01:00.009-05:00

In tribute to the Little Engine that Tried and Thought It Could but.......

Like so many other companies that tried to weather the storm of the economic downturn of 2008-2009 Maine Cottage could no longer stay the course and succumbed to an economy that continues to struggle. What is left behind once the doors are closed are a multitude of issues that, to say the least, are mostly unpleasant. Business closures affect so many people in a variety of ways and my hope is that once the dust settles that Maine Cottage will be able to at least close the doors with dignity intact.

Maine Cottage was started by Peter and Carol Bass in 1988. The company was headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine and was known for their painted furniture and vibrant colors.

The company left it's wholesale roots and branched out into a retail operation opening it's first store in Yarmouth, Maine and eventually 2 others - one in Charleston, SC and West Palm Beach, FL bringing the total retail operation to 3.

Walk into a Maine Cottage store and you will never want to leave. That's a quote from a majority of the people that walked through the doors. Alive with color you couldn't help but feel an automatic sense of renewel like drinking an ice cold glass of water after a 10 mile hike in the Mohave dessert! You could almost call it a spiritual event! .

The Look of Driftwood
Ogden Ivory Washed Oak Dresser with Mirror,
3 Drawer Chest, Bay Bench and Island Bed

Unlike so many other furniture companies in the US their showrooms were full of American made products. Every wood piece was custom made in the northeast and the upholstery was manufactured in South Carolina. They supported local artists, small business's and women in business by purchasing their products for retail sale. They were an American company supporting American products and manufacturing.

Dermond Peterson Pillows
A woman owned business

Artwork: Carol Bass, Lamp: Jill Rosenwald
Pillow: Pablo Mekis

Mariposa Sanddollar Bowl

Schoolie Glasses and
Teardrop Lamp by Jill Rosenwald

Pablo Mekis Hand Embroidered Pillows
Made in the USA

Artichoke Lamps made from Paper Mache

In closing I can only hope that this unfortunate ending is not a final one and that somehow, somewhere, someone will come forward and save this wonderful little treasure of a company.