Products, People, Places and Things Representing the Best in Coastal Living

Products, People, Places and Things Representing the Best in Coastal Living.
Welcome to our blog "Coastal Creations & Design." We hope that you'll visit us often and read about our favorite coastal destinations, beach-inspired products, inviting seaside spaces, original artists works and people living the coastal lifestyle.

Friday, May 28, 2010

"Nights of the Black Flag" Paintings by Donna Lee Nyzio

"FIRE"
Three new paintings by Donna Lee Nyzio are now on exhibit at Skipjack Nautical Wares and  Marine Gallery. Click here to visit Donna's page at Skipjack Marine Gallery. These three paintings were created as part of an exhibit titled "Nights of the Black Flag" that was recently on display at the North Carolina Museum of History and again at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Pictured above: "Fire" acrylic, gauche painting on hot pressed illustration board by Donna Lee Nyzio. Two pirate ships, the "Meka II abd the "Royal Liste" fire upon each other in close battle off the coast of Wilmington, N.C.. Measures 17 X 34 and 29 X 46 inches framed.

“Knight of the Black Flag”
“Knight of the Black Flag” by Donna Lee Nyzio. Acrylic gauche mixed media painted on hot pressed illustration board. 39" X 30 ½" framed. Blackbeard the pirate aboard the "Queen Anne's Revenge with firing cannons and ghostly visions of departed pirates in the background.

"Dawn in the Rigging"

Dawn in the Rigging” by Donna Lee Nyzio. Female pirate aboard the “Meka II” off the coast of Beaufort, N.C. Acrylic Gauche mixed media painted on hot pressed illustration board. 31 ½" X 39 inches framed.



To read about the exhibit, visit these links. "Knights of the Black Flag" at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

BARBARA JACKSIER'S WATERSIDE COTTAGES


Waterside Cottages Cover. Photography by Dan Mayers
Waterside style decorating is a great way to recapture your past or create an exciting new future.
Author Barbara Jacksier grew up in Brooklyn, New York, home to what may be the most famous beach in the world -- Coney Island. Her family lived in an apartment a few miles inland but each year they would spend their summer vacation at the shore. Barbara loved everything about living close to the water, including the sound of the waves, the pastel painted bungalows and the beachcomber’s keepsakes. Her memories of those beloved summer getaways inspired her new book, Waterside Cottages. It celebrates coastal style décor and makes the perfect summer reading.

Boathouse Living Room. Photography by Dan Mayers
When I was a child, my family and I spent our summer vacation at the beach. We didn’t stay in hotels. Instead, we rented small houses with easy access to whatever beach we were near. Those houses were called beach cottages, and I’ve loved them ever since.

In Waterside Cottages, I’ll take you on a cross-country tour to visit fourteen homeowners. The houses differ greatly in their decorating schemes, yet all have the ability to instantly transport you to the water’s edge. Some are centuries old and others built recently. A few boast vibrant Caribbean colors or nautical hues, while others rely on an all-white palette for a sense of serenity. Some feature rooms filled with accumulated treasures; others celebrate simplicity.

Photography by Dan Mayer
Whether they are primary residences, artist’s retreats or weekend getaway, all of the cottages in my book offer their owners and guests a place to enjoy time together; to chill out; and to feel sheltered and protected from the raging sea and the world outside. I hope you’ll use the book as a tool for translating a love of the waterside into successful decorating schemes.

Photography by Dan Mayer
Of course, as my mother told me, living near the water isn’t a necessary part of living beach house bliss. You can feel close to the sun and surf wherever you live when you decorate with waterside style. Visit Barbara’s blog at http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com/

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Nautical Jewelry: Sail Away With Classic Sterling Silver Sailboat Jewelry by Barbara Vincent

Sterling silver nautical sailboat necklace from the Barbara Vincent Collection

Set sail this spring in style with sterling silver nautical sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent Collection- perfect for daytime or evening. These distinctive nautical designs reflect her passion for fine sterling silver jewelry and celebrate her enthusiasm for sailing and a coastal lifestyle.


"HOPE" sterling silver nautical necklace from the Barbara Vincent Collection

Choose from Barbara's J boat, sloop, schooner and sailboat racing with spinnaker flying and her most recent design simply titled "Hope."  These nautical designs are available individually as pendants for necklaces or as a collection. (see pictured above) Complete the look with Barbara's matching sailboat earrings.


Sterling silver hoop earrings with a rope design from the Barbara Vincent Nautical
Jewelry Collection. Designed to complement the "Hope" pendant. 

The sterling silver Schooner pendant. The Schooner is all dressed up under full sail
 and is polished to a mirror finish. A perfect item to dress up your wardrobe.
Available with sterling silver snake chain and matching sterling silver earrings.
A classic design from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection.



"Schooner" earrings rendered in sterling silver from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry
 Collection. Polished to a mirror finish. Wonderful paired with the matching pendant.



Sterling silver charm bracelet with nine nautical themed sterling silver charms.
 From the Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection!

The sailboat collection is also available in 14 kt. gold.  Click here to preview the total Barbara Vincent Nautical Jewelry Collection exclusively at