Nautical Luxuries Blog | 2009 | October

As baseball winds its way to the World Series, football season hits full-stride, and daylight savings time gives way to long wintry nights, thoughts here at Nautical Luxuries are already focused on the new year! New designs and new style trends are emerging for next year, with both good and bad news for your 2010 coastal/nautical decorating plans.

On the bad news front, it appears that Harvest Gold and Avocado Green are attempting a come-back.  (It was bad enough in the late 60’s – early 70’s… I could have lived without a renaissance!) Thankfully, shabby chic neutrals and sun-bleached coastal whites will go with anything! But – on to the good news.

I’m happy to report that next year is looking decidedly nautical!  Several manufacturers are featuring nautical collections for the first time in many seasons, in bold new shapes and fabrications. Traditional colors are accented with new silhouettes and intriguing materials.

Based on how popular our Rope Knot Doorstops have been, we know these new, super versatile woven Rope Ottomans and the Rope Trim Wall Mirror will also be a big hit. 

The Ottomans are sturdy – can be used as extra seating, or to hold a small tray. They’ve also got a handy loop so you can move them around the house, porch, or boat! 

The Rope Trim Mirror would look great above a dresser, on a nautically-papered wall, or over a bathroom sink.

Continuing the nautical rope theme, we’ll be expanding our offerings of Giovanna Locatelli’s dramatic line of rope tabletop accessories, including napkin rings, wine decanters, 

even the most elegant holders for the lowly, but ever-so-practical, plastic cup!

 If your decor is more coastal-themed, you’ll love some of the new items heading this way.

This trio of Aluminum Shell-Shaped Serving Bowls will be a welcome staple for any busy seaside hostesses – and will also make a great wedding gift. Classic styling means theyll go with any tabletop style, from casual to formal and, made of aluminum, they won’t require polishing. Living on an island, let me tell you, aluminum is a blessing!

Or, how about these handmade wooden mailboxes – available in either black or white, with the most elegant shell design!

And, in a retro-mood of our own, we’re even bringing back another old favorite, our Carribean Sea Turtle ceramics, including the Lidded Turtle Tureen, with matching ruffle-edged soup bowls, and the charming Sea Turtle Dip Server with matching Appetizer Plates.

They may not go with Harvest Gold or Avocado Green, but they’ll certainly be welcome additions to any home by the water – no matter the season!

Had I gone totally mad?  Standing in chest-high surf, with no wetsuit, my teeth chattering uncontrollably and struggling to stand against the constant pull of a strong current, I considered the possibility.  At 8:15 AM on a chilly, overcast October morning, I reminded myself that I could be sitting by a fire, with a nice hot cup of coffee!

As another breath-stealing wave snuck up from behind, I grabbed for the board and said to my two intrepid young helpers – with as much confidence as I could muster – “This one!” And in a three-way effort, we propelled a terrified Jack Russell Terrier on his way to surfing legend.

Sunday was Mr Jones’ inauguration to surfing, and the inaugural Surf City Surf Dog competition in Surf City USA, Huntington Beach.  A huge success, the event was… well, just plain hilarious. Costume and dog/owner look-alike-contests notwithstanding, the surfing was outrageously fun.  I simply do not think it’s possible to watch dogs surfing, without breaking into a huge grin! Cheers and applause greeted each dog, large or small, who managed to catch a wave – standing, sitting, forwards or backwards.  The agony of defeat was there too, with loud,  ”OHH’s!” from the crowd for each dog who wiped out; some, like Mr Jones, quite spectacularly.

At the end of the day, every dog was a winner – even my own Mr Jones managed to win for “Best Wipeout!” And, as for the madness of this weekend’s early morning ocean adventure – I’d do it again in a heartbeat. For anyone who loves dogs and the sea, I’d go so far as to add this one to your bucket list!  Cowabunga, Moondoggie, that was a hoot!

DJ

(Many thanks to Diane Edmonds, for capturing the moment through her lens.)