WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: HAWAIIAN FANTASY

In addition to being the birthplace of our 44th President Hawaii is known for many things. It's where surfing, luaus (a traditional type of bbq) and the hula dance originated, and where warm tropical breezes and fragrant orchids are abundant.

But did you know that Maui boasts a crater the size of Manhattan island?

Or that this Polynesian paradise is the only state made up entirely of islands? What could be a more perfect topic for Waterside Wednesday?

Ever since my globe trotting grandfather sent me a postcard from Hawaii when I was twelve years old, I have been fascinated by everything and anything from The Aloha State.

Sure many of the objects of my affection, such as Tiki tumblers and hula Barbie dolls are stereotypical tchotchkiss (junk). But I love them nonetheless.

Hawaiian keepsakes are the perfect fit in a retro style home. My friend Pam Coyle and her husband Shawn display vintage Polynesian travel posters in their living room.

Did you notice their groovy Lava Lamp? This 70s icon isn't actually from Hawaii. It was patented by a Singapore-born Englishman but rose to fame on the sets of Hawaii Five-O.I'm not sure if it's legal to scan stamps but I just had to show you these new ones. Rush right out to your post office and get some... before I buy them all up.

(photo from the movie Hula Girls/ Viz Pictures)

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

This week's Waterside Wednesday is part of the designer Kelee Katillac's Pet Parade Party.

Kelee's Party is an online celebration of a remarkable group project to raise awareness and money for homeless pets who are suffering because of the recession.

In order to help beloved dogs and cats who are going hungry or being abandoned because of foreclosures and job loss, Kelee and her faithful Oliver Wendell created the "Play Strong" project. It pays to stock pet pantries so people can keep the animals they love.

My buddy Belgium is modeling the Hawaiian inspired scarf that I decorated as part of an effort to raise thousands of dollars to save the lives of helpless animals.

Surf on over to The Katillac Shack to view the World Premier of Kelee's Play Strong Video. It's not just that Belgie is in the video. Thanks to Kelee's generosity, everyone who leaves a comment earns extra money for needy pets.

How could you resist? Watch the video below or click here and watch it on Kelee's blog. Which way you watch, please leave a comment on Kelee's blog. Every comment earns $1 for The Northland Pet Pantry!

After Playing Strong in order for me to snap his scarf, my pup decided it was time for Playing Tired. "Modeling is hard work," says Belgium.

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: COLD SEASON

This week the watery things most on my mind are my eyes and nose! Like many fellow bloggers, I've caught my first cold of the season... and it's a doozy! I'm coughing so much that I can barely type, so this week's entry will be a short one.
Please enjoy the view from Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

And in case you're blissed out by last week's beautiful bedrooms, I've done the math for you (if you mentioned two numbers I counted them both.)

Number 3: The Kinghams' master bedroom--whites with a killer view --won by a landslide.

Number 4: Tulle and tropical pastels came in second.

Bedrooms 1, 2 and 5 were tied for third place.

I thought you'd enjoy seeing a few more photos from the Kingham's home. Here's one of the light-filled living room.Below is their Caribbean themed guest room.
Last but not least, a hallway sitting area feature's shells and retro motifs.
All photos by Dan Mayers.

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: BEACHY BEDROOMS

When decorating a coastal bedroom some otherwise "perfect" couples suddenly find they are incompatible. Photographer Dan Mayers and I first discovered this surprising fact several years ago when were photographing a waterside home for a magazine.

The house had 3 guest bedrooms. The wife suggested we shoot Bedrooms #1 and #2 because "they were the serene and pretty ones." The husband disagreed strongly and lobbied us to shoot Bedroom #3 instead.

Dan and I went out to the car to get a light stand and discuss the situation. He agreed with the wife. I agreed with the husband. In the name of harmony we shot all three. Disclaimer: none appear in this post. However, all of the photos were shot by Dan.

The bedrooms below were photographed at several different houses. Under each one I've jotted a few reasons Dan or I think the decor works for a waterside bedroom. I'd love to hear what you think. Which is your favorite? Why?


Bedroom One: The Coffey's coastal bedroom is fun and casual. The soft blue and white color scheme, nautical striped pillows, beachy artwork, and sand pail hanging from the ceiling fixture keep things bright and breezy.

Bedroom Two: Jeff West's coastal bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. Here, a pair of oars, an oval fish rug, and jute wrapped ship's jugs make the room a place to daydream of sun and surf on a rainy day.


Bedroom Three: More than any other room in your home, a beachy bedroom depends on your personal vision of bliss. With a view of the dunes, the Kinghams' chose a limited neutral color palette and spare beauty in harmony with the surroundings.

Bedroom Four: Cottage decors win points for doing more with less. You don't need an expensive antique bed or glamorous headboard. Claudia Martin used yards of tulle and a tropical pastel palette to create a budget-wise island fantasy.

Bedroom Five: Vacation cottages are often decorated over a period of years by different family members. To get that look, Missy Asen's opted for nostalgic style window toppers, a cozy quilt, and painted pieces shown off against a backdrop of pickled tongue-and-groove paneling.



Bedroom Six: Bright Caribbean colors give this guest room a "The Party Starts Here" vibe. The rattan ceiling fan, sea theme rug, mint green wicker chair and fabulous glass lamp all contribute to Brooke Steuart's great guest room.


Love the lamp!

Bedroom Seven: Last but not least, a blissful bedroom need not be indoors. Brooke's outdoor sleeper takes advantage of warm days and a water view.

CHANDELIER HEAVEN

Do you get weak in the knees and start hyperventilating at the sight of a gorgeous chandelier?

If you do, this post is for you! Back on August 12th, I left off sharing photos of my trip to Europe with a post about hand-painted ceramics.


Today I'd like introduce you to the chandeliers I met.


The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) in Naples, Italy was built over a century starting in 1738. When completed it rivaled Versaille for magnificent gardens and lavishly decorated salons.


There was so much to look at -- antique furniture, priceless paintings, world famous sculptures, gilded carved mouldings and ceiling frescoes. It was so overwhelming that I decided to focus on one feature...the stupendous chandeliers.


The metal casting on the one above is superb. It's positively architectural.


I was almost blinded by the reflections from the thousand or more crystals on this French delite.


This one won my heart for the sheer abundance of candles it could hold.


It probably weighs a ton but this huge fixture looks light and airy.


This one was one of my favorites. The arms resemble branches with dozens of golden leaves.


A blown glass chandelier by American artist Dale Chihuly caught my eye at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Let me know if you'd like to see more Chihuly's. I've shot several of his exhibits, including one of floral shapes at the NY Botanical Gardens.



In Brussels, these silk lanterns were for sale in a chic boutique. Of all the chandeliers I saw on my Grand Tour, these were probably the only ones I could afford!

*** BRAGGING RIGHTS***

I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to share some of the nice notes that I've received about my book, Waterside Cottages. Keep those e-mails coming ladies, they really make my day. And, if you get a chance stop by Amazon and write a review, too.

"Got your book and loved it!!!!! You did a great job. It's beautiful!"

Joni

Cote de Texas

"I received my book yesterday and it's absolutely gorgeous. What a cool job you and Dan have traveling around the country selecting adorable cottages and photographing lovely coastal homes then sharing the beauty. The end result is breathtaking!"

Carole

"Your beautiful book arrived today. Thank you so much it is sensational."

Alison Gibbs

"One of the best checks I’ve ever written! Congratulations on the book."

Judith

"To put it simply, your book is a masterpiece. It has been a long time since I've enjoyed a new decor book this much. You and Dan did a magnificent job."

Linda

"I received my Waterside Cottages and am in total AWE… & in heaven reading your words & looking at Dan's magical photos!! Unbelievable talent on this book-you deserve to become a zillionaire!!!!! Truly a collectible! I LOVE it & LOVE the sweet autograph. I can just imagine in 50 years having my ancestors look through this with its oldautograph from a very talented lady."

Chris

Tutti Chic

"The book arrived. It’s positively gorgeous, says my daughter. I am waiting for her to look at it and then she will let me take a peak. She loves loves loves the book. Thanks so much."

Sarah

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: Bring Home The Beach

Now that the summer is winding down in North America, it’s time to think about preserving that summertime feeling.
Even during the coldest months, I instantly feel a warm when I catch site of a coastal centerpiece sitting on a dining room table.
Decorating with gifts from the sea is not a new idea. For hundreds of years beachcombers have used them to embellish their homes, their furniture and even themselves.
Shells, starfish, sea biscuits and other beachcombing treasure never go out of style. Their sun-bleached colors and intricate shapes seem to fascinate every generation anew.

Whether you gather your bounty on the beach or purchase it in a craft store, it’s wise to shake out loose sand and rinse them in a solution of water and bleach before putting them on display. Fishy odors are to be avoided!

Even a simple shell or two given star treatment can evoke long ago vacations spent at the beach.

Or you can mix seashells and starfish with driftwood and beachy signs for a terrific wall display.
In addition to bowls heaped with these mysteries from the sea, shells can be used in other imaginative ways. Here are a few of my favorites. What are yours? Please share. Pretty please!

• Put your seashells in a shadow box.

• Glue shells into circles and use as candle rings.
• Tuck shells into a vine wreath.

• Top toothpicks with small shells and use as party picks.

All photos by Dan Mayers.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Here's a swap for those who love swaps, hate swaps, have no idea what a swap is. Natasha's IT'S ALL ABOUT ME day (Oct 22) is brilliant. Why didn't I think of it first?

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

For today’s Waterside Wednesday, I’d like to share a sensational makeover.
Decorator Joetta Moulden is the sorceress who turned this tired living room...

... into a seaside paradise on a budget of only $2,000.

Here's how she did it:

When Joetta first saw her clients 11' x 17' living room it was filled with hand-me-down-stuff that looked outdated. The room had dark industrial carpeting and a brown ceiling fan that dominated the ceiling making it feel lower than eight feet.

"With two opposing window walls and a large doorway that opened into the kitchen the room had virtually no walls," says Joetta. " The homeowners, Kathryn and Bradford, tried repeatedly to find a functional furniture arrangement but had given up."After a new floor plan and ocean, sky and sand color scheme was established, Joetta, her intern Toni and the homeowners set to work.

Joetta suggested removing the ceiling fan's schoolhouse light, and painting the fan and the ceiling the same color as the walls to create the illusion of more height.

Lightening the room came next. They couple painted the the walls, ceiling and fan in Behr's 'Riviera Sand' and the aluminum windows, tile window ledges, woodwork, and shelving in Behr's 'Moon Rise'. After painting the window frames, it looked s if they had installed new windows.

Casual blue denim slipcovers (www.surefit.net) made an overwhelming difference on the existing seating. It also transformed a beat up ottoman borrowed from another room and topped with a bed pillow.

Before

After

Joetta purchased several new items for the room, including a 9' x 12' seagrass rug (www.homedecorators.com). A Colonial style rocker ($200), a rattan trunk/coffee table ($150) and several $8 lined baskets came from Pier 1.

Toni and Joetta cut down discontinued lumbar striped pillow covers from Pottery Barn ($12.49) and used the fabric to cover 'Gosa Gott' down pillows from Ikea. Each $3.99 down pillow was stitched down the center to create a pair of squares!
Ikea was also the source for inexpensive reed blinds ($12.99) and 'Lenda' curtain panels ($29.99). Joetta trimmed the panels with blue ticking stripe for a coordinated effect.


Inspired by the room's new lighter palette, Kathryn painted the base and neck of a seashell lamp, as well as a driftwood lamp in bright white. "We took the lamps with us to Target to try on lampshades, and purchased three new cottage worthy toppers for $38," Joetta says proudly.

Before

After

New shelving (www.closits.com) is stacked on top of the existing barrister bookcases. It serves as practical storage for the couple's books and adds a decorative element to the wall. The beach scene above the tv was treated to a new simple white frame that the couple made crafted.

The original oil painting was lowered and balanced with another painting.Pretty impressive!

To see more of Joetta's makeovers or subscribe to her free newsletter, go to www.shelterstyle.com.

All photos by Janet Lenzen (www.janetlenzen.com)

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