Design Your Own Custom Beach Art!

(Navy Blue Diver)

Have I told you lately about one of my favorite small companies that we have partnered with?  We've worked with John and his fabulous team at Red Horse Signs for nearly 5 years, and they are absolutely the BEST.   I like that every art piece and custom beach sign is made to order, and so many of the pieces can be custom created for just your home with pretty much anything that you'd like to add to your art!

The Coastal Cafe - one of our most popular signs!

First they create an original piece of art, designed and hand painted by one of their artists. Then using this "real" art, a master print is created to reproduce prints. That is why each wall art piece or coastal mirror has a fresh and authentic look to it.  Pretty darn creative we think!

Every single sign, mirror or  art piece is printed on real tongue and groove wood slats - that will include all of the tiny imperfections and knots that real wood creates.  NO mdf or fiberboard is allowed. (love that!)

We love them, and every season John rolls out even more fun coastal and beach art for us to share with our customers.


Wanna see our new faves for this spring?

Cannot get enough of Vintage Bathing Suit Art!  These new pieces designed by artist Suzanne Nicoll are out of straight out of a bygone era, and are simply captivating with their patriotic colors and seaside resort themed backgrounds.

 The Anchor Bathing Suit

 The Blue Lifeguard

 The Blue Halter Suit

The Sailor Suit

Slowly but surely we are continuing to add "Lake Shore" themed signs too - here are a few faves of ours.  They don't have to be "Lake" themed, the words and phrases can be changed to reflect any "beachy-coastal" place of your choosing.

  

The Water Skiing Sign is also one of our most popular designs!

Can't help it.... I am just a Chris Craft girl at heart. 

Lake Resort

Know any surfers?  These fun surf themed signs (art) are so fun!

ah..... Memories of the North Shore 

"Sharkies" So fun and can be totally customized for your "surf shack" beach home! 

And let's not forget to mention mermaids galore!

Mermaid Lounge

Pretty blonde mermaid from artist Suzanne Nicoll - Change the words to say whatever you would like to make this sign personal to your home!

We have nearly 150 different designs to choose from, something for everyone!

Come see on our new and improved site - Vintage Beach Signs and Art

Creating a Beach House Bookshelf

I admit it, I have a book "problem". Addiction might be a better description; Interior Design, Travel, Coastal Cookbooks, business tomes and of course, a favorite novel or two.... 

They are stacked all over the floor in my office, (I already used up all the space in my built in "closet" bookshelves) hiding in nooks and crannies in my bedroom, on top of the dresser and window frame in my guest room, and stacked on our living room floor...

We moved closer to the beach in August, and I have not had a spare second to figure out a new bookshelf and reading corner in our new place.  After getting ready for company this past weekend, it has become suddenly very evident that I need to figure out something quickly. We have plenty of wall space and extra corner space, not to just need to configure  the space right. (and find the right furniture!)

Here's a few ideas that I have been collecting!   What do you think?

So wish I had a nook like this! I could hide away from the world. Not sure if I would spend my time reading though, probably would just stare out at the harbor... (so sorry - not sure of the actual image source!) 

From Country Living Magazine, an adorable reading spot complete with built in bench and cozy pillows.   Love the color!  (there's not quite enough books on this shelf though!) 

What a fun project from Thrifty Decor Chick!  If only I had someone small at my house, I would definitely try this.  A remodeled unused closet with a new little padded bench and built in book shelves.  The nautical themed light is perfect to light up this snuggle spot.

Love this space!  Especially the extra built in space above the door frame. (so sorry - not sure of the actual image source!) 

What a great use of a view corner! Pretty bookshelves underneath the windows creates an instant window seat.  Not crazy about these particular cushions, but love the idea. (found on HomeDit.com, but probably not the original source)

If only we had the space for a complete little room like this!  Love the lights above the shelves...(original image source unknown)

From my friend Victoria at sfgirlbythebay.com - LOVE how her shelves in her San Francisco Cottage turned out!  Sleek, modern and spaces for books and treasures..  Must see the whole blog post for her special pics. 

Only in my dreams.... but how I lust after those teal velvet cushions.

Silver Bells and Silver Shells

This years' coffee table display was created using silver plated shells (I have had them for years!) pretty mercury glass balls, a sea glass ornament gift and accompanied by my fave pink and glitter murex shell ornaments.

The shells and aqua sea glass were mostly collected on our California Beaches (my pockets are always stuffed with something I have found...), our look was complete with a string of pearls and a treasured snow globe.

....And maybe a Tom and Jerry's yummy holiday cocktail!

Tom and I had our Christmas dinner last week before we headed up north to spend the holidays with our family in the Pacific Northwest. Tom was the master chef of a fabulously wonderful prime rib dinner, with goat cheese twice baked potatoes and delish Ina Garten roasted carrots. (Thanks Serena for my new cook book!)

Then we toasted the season with hot Tom and Jerry toddies in my grandmother's vintage gold rimmed cups.  I have packed and repacked these little darling cups more times than I can remember, but this is the first time I have ever actually used them.

Made me so happy, and I think it would have made her very happy too.

Tom and Jerry's:
There are a ton of recipes out there to whip these up, but we took a short-cut on ours and then added the whipped cream and cinnamon sticks to make them extra special. We recommend Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum and Trader Vic's Tom and Jerry Mix - both were excellent and can be found easily.

Here's a few links to recipes if you'd like to make them without buying the mix:

All Recipes - Tom and Jerry Cocktails

Esquire Magazine - Tom and Jerry (has a fun little history lesson!)

Epicurious - Tom and Jerry

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve!