Living by the Water | Sea Views & News

     Fall?  Already?  Schools are already back in session?  Monday Night Football starts in two weeks? Well, it’s still a hot August summer here by the beach, which makes it hard to be thinking about fall, much less shooting our new holiday line.  There’s still much photography work to do, but here’s a quick peak at some of my favorite new luxuries you’ll be seeing on NauticalLuxuries.com in September.

For the Beach Cottage: How fun is this rustic wood wall/mantle sign board for your own beach retreat, or to give as a gift! We’re also making a “What Happens Onboard…” sign.  Both are exclusive to Nautical Luxuries - and I’ve already put aside half-a-dozen for Christmas gifts to friends, family, and a few boating friends.

For the Lido Waterfront: I can certainly see this exquisite Sea Urchin Lamp in the study or living room of the gorgeous waterfront homes here on the island. A stunning coastal accent with a super-chic ‘burnt coral’ shade- fabulous with a neutral color scheme!

Keyes Shutter Lighthouse Table Fan

Bristol White Lighthouse Floor Fan

For those Hot September Days! After seeing these terrific new fans, I went home and immediately retired my old house fan.

Finally! Some clever and talented designer has come up with a decorative solution to a truly boring household appliance! The lighthouse floor fan is so nice, (All have wood bases), you may never want to put it away for the winter!

Sail Trophy Vases

For the Sailing Enthusiast: What a great find! Beautiful crystal vases gracefully arching in the shape of a sail are a wonderful home accent and - engraved- make a truly unique trophy! (Somebody tell the yacht club trophy chair.)

New Sandy Shells Pet Bed

For the Nautical Pet:

Even our office mascot, Mr. Jones, couldn’t resist a mid-day snooze on one of our new pet beds - and I couldn’t resist the candid photo. We’re introducing this great new seashell design in blue or sand, as well as a more traditional nautical compass rose and rope design - also in two color options.

For the Littlest Crew: It was unanimous among the ladies here, that these are the cutest things we’ve seen lately! Needlepoint baby shoes in nautical and coastal designs. Just too cute!

For the Planet: I may not be at the forefront of the green movement yet, but I enjoy products like this one that help me do my part with a major dose of nautical style! Love the sail number on this recycled Dacron sail cloth tote,  and the long handles, and the stiffness of the fabric that doesn’t collapse when you’re putting in the first groceries.

    Another great environment-friendly find are these terrific and boldy graphic pillows. Hand-painted on unbleached cotton, they’re made from the finest quality green materials available. Fluffy, poly-fill inserts are made from plastic bottles rescued from landfills.  We’ll have five different coastal designs available.

   The complete Fall Collection - not to mention Holiday gifts and decor - launches online next month.  Can’t wait!

DJ

  Unfortunately for our Web Crew, I’m always looking to raise the bar on elegance at NauticalLuxuries.com.  I’ve never once heard them grumble, and they’ve always risen to the challenge.

  This time, they’ve done an outstanding job translating vague input for a more sophisticated look into what you now see on our home page, and throughout the entire site.  The new look is terrific, but that’s not all…

  They’ve also set up a new Living By The Water section that will allow us to keep you posted on a wide variety of coastal/nautical lifestyle topics. The new blog, for example, is one of my favorite additions. I started writing posts a couple of months ago, to set the stage with a little background on who and where we are, and why I love the nautical lifestyle. Now that we’re live, I’ll be able to focus more on our products and the experiences and input we’ve received from our customers.

I look forward to your comments and I raise my glass in toast to Bud and Alane, our Website crew for a job well done!

DJ

  How can something be so grueling, yet so fun?

  Going to the markets twice each year is as exhilarating to my creative senses as it is excruciating to my feet!  I’m happy to report, though, that not only did I survive the endless trek through showroom after showroom, in city after city, I am very excited about the new luxuries we’ll be introducing this fall and next spring. (Stay tuned for some sneak peaks.)

  I’d been warned during previous buying trips, though, that coastal - especially coral - was slipping in popularity. Not so, according to what I saw in more showrooms than ever,  (and in many cases, featured right up front). Clearly, the coastal/nautical theme is not only alive and well, but is benefiting from the attention of wonderful designers with new and exciting interpretations of traditional shell, coral, and marine life motifs.

  Can’t wait to introduce the new line!

  After a challenging week of traveling, it’s always nice to head back to SNA and re-immerse in the island life.

  A glass of wine and a relaxing sunset walk around the island with Mr Jones, and I’m now completely rejuvenated and ready to start work on bringing the new collection to life online and in our showroom.

  DJ  

   What a day for being on the water! 

   Mr. Jones, (handsome lad in yellow jacket), and I started the day early, with a jog around the island, accompanied by solitary rowers skimming silently past us on the water. It wasn’t long, though, before our tranquil little island was transformed by the summer onslaught of beachgoers and partying harbor-cruisers. 

  By noon, Mr. Jones and I were right in the thick of things on the harbor in our little kayak. Everywhere we paddled, there was music, and people were having the time of their lives!  Despite the price of fuel, boating continues to be one of the best values going for family fun.

   We made our way through the harbor “traffic” and on down the channel to meet up with friends aboard Cha Cha Cha. A ration or two of rum later, we were on our way back - Mr. Jones clinging tenaciously to his square of carpet on the tiny bow and barking like a lunatic at anything and everything that motored, sailed or floated our way.

  As the sun edged lower, turning the water a glorious silver, the waterside grills started sending the most wonderful aromas out over the water, and the sound of fireworks announced the beginning of a night of national celebration. We glided back towards the island and up onto the beach.

  Time to hose off the salt water, head inside, and thank my lucky stars for being an American and for living by the water.

  DJ

  Living on an island is one of my favorite luxuries.

  Being surrounded by water, there’s only one way on or off this particular island - without something that floats, anyway, and that’s the narrow, 2-lane Lido Island bridge. The bridge also offers one of the best views of Newport Harbor – right up there, in my book, with the view from the bar at Balboa Yacht Club.

  There’s a lot to see from the bridge: the white-hulled yachts filling every possible inch of dock space; the towering carbon fiber racing spars that circle the island; the endless parade of surrey-like electric Duffy boats, cruising ever-so-slowly under the bridge and past the waterfront island homes.

  Welcome to my little corner of nautical luxury, where nautical is ubiquitous and yet as individual and unique as each of the residents on this tiny little island. It is a special place and a continual inspiration for Nautical Luxuries.

  DJ