Completely Coastal Unplugged: An Interview With Maya Nagel

I recently caught up with my friend Maya,  creator and author extraordinaire of one of my favorite blogs, "Completely Coastal" and requested an interview with this remarkable lady. So here's an unplugged look; sort of a behind the scenes from Maya Nagel- the inspiration behind Completely Coastal.

What was the driving force behind the creation of “Completely Coastal” and when did you publish the first blog?

My love for the sea and the coastal living life style! And I wanted to do something with that. So I started a blog in early 2008, not knowing where I was going to go with it, meaning with no clear direction. It took me about half a year to get a vision of what I wanted to create. So I deleted all posts prior to August 2008 and began to focus on decor, art and crafts, later also including books and movies. I think I changed the layout at least five times until I arrived at what I have now.

Maya's model yacht.

 What are your personal favorite completely coastal products that you own.

Inspired by my post "Display Idea's for Model Yachts",  I finally bought my own model yacht which is on display on top of my TV cabinet. And I love it! Link to model yacht article.

Maya's hand-painted shell tea light holders

 Then, featuring so many great craft projects on a regular basis, weekly actually, I finally did (a little) project myself and painted some local large shells, using them as tea light holders. Link to painted shell tea light holders.

Lighthouse photo pillow

Another favorite of mine is something I won in a giveaway. A custom made photo pillow. I adore it. The artist made it with one of my photographs, the Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport, RI. Link to Lighthouse photo article.


Are there others that you are considering adding  to your own home?

I'd love to eventually have a few model lighthouses and fishing glass floats! See these posts:

Collecting Lighthouses:
http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/04/collecting-decorative-lighthouses-on.html

Fishing Glass Floats for your Home:
http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/06/japanese-fishing-floats-for-your-home.html

 What are your favorite colors - Favorite music - Favorite Completely Coastal designs?

Blue-gray, blue-green, orange,  beige, white - oldies - I love everything I post, haha! My favorites I'd say, which I'd like to have in my next home would be some cool nautical wallpaper!! Link to subcategory Wallpapers  And I will be having more examples coming up too.

 How has Completely Coastal changed since it’s beginnings?

It's become more focused and I'd like to think more "beautiful". Also, since this year, I have lots of advertisers, all awesome quality sites that I'm very proud of having on Completely Coastal, such as yours!!


What’s beyond the horizon?

Better and bigger, I imagine!

Thank you Maya. Your an inspiration to us all! Coastal Creations & Design.