Nautical Luxuries Blog

If you love the sea, are at ease with a helm in your hands and the spray of the sea in your hair, there are two boutique hotels on the East Coast that share your passion and will make you feel right at home.

Both the Hyannis Harbor Hotel in Massachusetts,

and the Cliff House in Maine,

are situated on the water, with beautiful water views and elegant nautical styling. When they updated their properties recently, they both chose our Nautiluxe Collection rope bath accessories for their guest room baths! 

Here's a peek inside both remodeled hotels:

You'll find a variety of nautically styled cleat handles like the ones shown above, now available at Nautical Luxuries. And if you're looking for a great hotel getaway, you'll find amazing views, elegantly designed spaces, first class service and accommodations at both hotels, accented with stunning nautical luxury!  

To find out more, visit these two top-rated hotels at:

Cliff House 

Hyannis Harbor Hotel

Pillows are always my first choice for updating a room or boat - you can easily make a major difference in the look of the entire space, at a fraction of the cost of new furniture or a major redesign project.

Here’s a brief guide for adding or updating pillows onboard – or at home.

Where to add: sofas, settees, love seats, side chairs and/or benches.

HOW MANY? There are a lot of pillow arrangement options!  Here are a few ideas:

1. 2 large pillows either end of sofa and one large pillow in side chairs
   
2. 2 mixed size pillows either end of sofa, 3 in the corner and one small pillow in side chairs.
   
3. 2 mixed size pillows either end of sofa and one small pillow in side chairs
   
4. 3 small pillows on the end of the sofa, two larger pillows in the corner, and 5 small, same-size pillows stacked in a row along settee
   
5. 3 pillows in each corner of sofa and 2 pillows on one end of loveseat settee.
   

WHAT SIZE?  Some basics to consider:

1. Small pillows: 14"-17” Large pillows 18”-20” (Remember, pillow size is measured along the side of the case, without the insert. They’ll look smaller with their inserts.)
2. The smaller the seating area, the smaller the pillows. On a narrow dining settee, only a couple of small pillows might do the trick. On a chair, one pillow – possibly a rectangular shaped “lumbar” pillow.
3. The deeper the seat, the larger the pillow. Pillows can make all the difference in comfort – with a deeper seat, you will want the thickness of a larger pillow for more back cushioning/support.
4. Instead of pillows all the same size, consider “layering” a smaller pillow in front of a larger one for a more interesting, “dimensional” look.
5. Don’t scrimp on the pillows - one is not enough! In this example, 5-7 more pillows would have really turned this into a cozy space! 

Even a space as small as your electric boat is a great spot for a pillow update.  These look comfy, and very understated, in a 'boho chic' style. Clustered in a group of three and another two on the opposite side – with likely another two pillow clusters on the aft ends of the settee.

Here’s a great cockpit bench, beautifully upholstered with a nautical look. How would YOU accent it with pillows?  Possibly a fabulous blue and white print and mixed with solid white pillows with blue trim? Two on each end and a rectangular lumbar in the center?  Or go with bold code flag pillows in brilliant nautical colors?  


One additional idea - although not a pillow - the look of a cozy throw, color-coordinated with your pillows and casually draped over a sofa or chair adds a beautiful - and useful - touch to your space.

You'll find a lot of great ideas for indoor and outdoor pillows and throws in our Home Decor section.

DJ

1. Set a budget. Just because it’s summer and you’ll ultimately be entertaining in a more casual atmosphere, that doesn’t mean your soirée will come cheap! Try to make your budget span equally across the five senses, meaning: don’t blow it all in one area. It’s wonderful to serve the most refreshing rosé, but if you’re serving it in an uncomfortable setting, your guests may just take the bottle to go. Try to allocate some budget to important aspects like comfortable seating, sound and taste.

2. Know your demographic in terms of who you are inviting. Summer parties tend to be a bit more carefree, so be sure to invite guests who enjoy being in a more casual atmosphere with other people who are like-minded.

3. Music is usually what brings the party together. Create the ultimate summer party mix that is “guest friendly” and that will make your friends want to go the distance until you kick them out!
   
   
4. Create an interactive menu. Summer parties are most successful when your guests can bond over a family-style setup where they can pass food to each other and share large portions. “Shareable” cocktails like pitchers of Margaritas or Sangrias are also great ways to encourage your guests to mingle. Serving a nostalgic dessert like s’mores or fondue is also a solid interactive choice that will induce conversation and create a cohesive guest experience. Keep it simple!

5. Make life easy on yourself. Use serving pieces that look great, but more importantly, serving pieces that are user friendly. You don’t want to be worrying about broken glass everywhere during the party, so using a high-end and elegant melamine line like Q Squared, (shown here), that is tough enough to re-use, so you can entertain throughout the entire year!
   
   

Even a four leaf clover can be given a dose of natural beach style, when it's created entirely out of seashells!

Like the four leaf clover here, works of art in the sand are popular year round, with sand sculpture exhibitions and contests in just about every major beachside town.

Another extraordinary style of sand art is created not with seashells or sculpted in 3-dimensional shapes, but in 2-dimension form, and is created with a rake!  For over 15 years, American artist Andres Amador has been creating beautiful, if impermanent, works of art in the sand using nothing more than a rake. 

 

His Earthscape sand art can span over 100,000 feet, and can only be achieved during low tide. His sand art does not last long- within minutes of finishing a piece, and often while still in progress, the returning tide begins resetting the canvas.  

"My art is my way to processing the world I experience and recreating it in grand yet fleeting ways that are a tribute to the regenerative capacity of the human spirit. I wish for viewers of my work to experience a sense of wonder and renewed appreciation for the miracle of life. I offer an opportunity to step outside of one's day to day life and stand present in this timeless moment."

Hope you enjoy the following images of fleeting works of art by Andres and Jim Denevan - and may you be lucky enough on this St. Patrick's Day, to actually experience one in person!

DJ

Inspiration for the most romantic day of the year comes from many different places - for the host or hostess planning a festive Valentine's Day dinner, you might take your cue from one of the superyacht winners at the 2016 Top Notch Tabletop competition held at the Miami Boat Show.  

M/Y Livernano celebrated love with a delightful tablescape filled with red hearts, with blue and white accents. From the clever menu, to the sugar heart silhouettes on the dessert plates, it was a romantic inspiration! 

           

If you're quite creative in the kitchen, and not afraid of a good glaze icing, you might want to try your hand at a nautical themed sugar cookie - or let the experts create a few amazing ones like these, from Craft Me A Cookie and Modern Bite in Burbank, CA.

And if sending a card is about as inspired as you're likely to get this Valentine's Day, here are some great ways to express your love in writing:

Happy Valentine's Day!

DJ

 

Sure, rum and sailors go together, but did you ever wonder how that all got started?

You'd have go go back 400 years or so... Sailors in the 17th century were given a daily ration of 1 gallon of beer per day.  

Beer lasted longer than water at sea, and also helped with the morale of  the crew.   By 1655, due to the storage problems associated with beer i.e., space and spoilage on long voyages in warmer climes, a spirit allowance was introduced instead.  Given the political influence of the plantation owners in the Caribbean at that time, Rum became the spirit of choice and each sailor was given 1/2 pint of rum per day; their Rum Ration.

By 1725 the amount of alcohol consumed by the sailors was beginning to cause a problem on board the ships.  Some sailors would save their rum rations and then drink them all at once, even though drunkenness was punishable by flogging.  

Admiral Edward Vernon was given the task of finding a solution.  His answer was to water down the rum.  The rum ration was still the same but water had to be added.   Sailors were given sugar and lime to make up for the decreased quantity; the mixture became known as grog, derived from Admiral Vernon’s nickname “Grogrum”. Sugar and lime not only improved the taste of the drink, but the vitamin C also helped prevent scurvy. Grog was so popular that the drink soon spread beyond the sea to shore and inspired recipes that are still enjoyed today.  

Classic Daiquiri 1½ oz. light rum 1 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 tsp. sugar or simply syrup In a cocktail shaker, shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Dark ‘n’ Stormy 2 oz. dark rum 4 oz. ginger beer ½ cup ice In an old-fashioned glass, combine rum and ginger beer. Add ice and stir.

Rum Runner ¾ oz. spiced rum ¼ oz. blackberry liqueur ¼ oz. crème de bananes 2 oz. orange juice 8 oz. crushed ice In a blender, combine spiced rum, blackberry liqueur, crème de bananes, orange juice, grenadine, and crushed ice. Blend until slushy and pour into glass.

Tomorrow We Sail 3½ oz. champagne ½ oz. LBV port ½ oz. dark rum 1 tsp. triple sec In a champagne flute, combine ingredients and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

And if you're serving cocktails at sea, don't miss our latest additions to the Non-Breakable Glasses & Barware, Dinnerware and Serveware! Cheers! DJ

Teak is an extraordinarily resilient wood!  Grown in areas where it regularly withstands monsoons, droughts, and high winds, teak is highly desirable for use in difficult conditions. It has been used in shipbuilding for centuries because it requires little, if any, maintenance and it has a natural non-skid surface.

If you're creating the ultimate coastal/nautical bathroom, spa or pool cabana, you'll want to include the warmth and beauty of handcrafted teak. Not only will you love the inherent elegance of natural teak, you'll also appreciate its sturdy construction and non-slip functionality.

Mold and mildew resistant, due to the wood's antimicrobial properties, our teak floor mats and benches can be used both inside and outside the shower.

Our Teak floor mats, benches and accessories are handcrafted only from the pure heartwood of mature Teak trees grown in the Indonesia/South East Asia region and harvested under strict environmental and economic requirements. Teak heartwood contains oil that is water resistant and helps prevent attacks from decay, insects and bacteria. The wood's high silica content, absorbed from its sandy growing region, makes it an ideal wood to use when a slip resistant surface is needed and its natural oils make the wood resistant to mold and mildew.

Custom floor mats can also be ordered to add an elegant and practical touch to your boat heads.

    

Given its amazing properties, is it any wonder we sailors, nautical enthusiasts and coastal residents treasure teak for our boats and homes by the water?  

DJ

If you love the sea, boats, or beach cottage decorating, you'll be in heaven in our new Nautical

Tucked in next to the Lido Shipyard, (with a direct window view of all the yard activities), it's an elegant nautical/coastal gem in Newport Beach.

 

Stop in and see/feel for yourself, why our collection of acrylics and non-breakable dinnerware is among the finest anywhere!  Whether you're looking for non-skid, or triple-weight melamine, you'll be amazed at how beautiful the designs are, and how substantial everything feels in hand.

If you're outfitting a boat, you'll appreciate how easy it is to coordinate everything from dinnerware, flatware and acrylic barware and serving pieces, to linens, throws and accent pillows.

And for the coastal home, everywhere you turn, there's a delightful luxury to complement your seaside decor.

If you're decorating or redecorating a bath, you'll love our Nautiluxe Collection of rope towel bars, towel rings and paper holders in chrome or gold plate finishes, as well as a wide selection of classic nautical themed bath accessories.  

Waterside and onboard entertainers will also find the latest luxuries imported from Holland, Spain and Italy. Each piece artfully crafted and uniquely, classically nautical.   

Looking for an entertaining showstopper for the aft deck or poolside patio? How about a four-foot tall acrylic ice bucket in the shape of a champagne glass! Or a graceful Mermaid Accent Table!

If glamorous is your style, you'll love the shimmering Mother of Pearl and Swarovski Crystal-encrusted accents. Paired with our Etched Fish Barware, it's a truly elegant coastal look.

Whatever your style, and whatever your needs, be it decor or a memorable gift for someone who loves boats or the sea, you'll find a wide selection of the finest nautical/coastal decor and gift items at the new Nautical Luxuries Showroom in Newport Beach.

We look forward to welcoming you at 151 Shipyard Way, Suite A, Newport Beach, CA.

DJ

OK, I'll admit to getting a little nervous navigating an 18-ft. electric boat around the harbor sometimes. Can you imagine captaining a 256 foot long, 39-ft. wide superyacht?! 

 This HOUSE is 39-ft wide!    

Now... try to drive 6 of those houses together, through this 55-ft wide bridge: 

 .... from the 4th story.

A drone captured the late Steve Jobs' yacht Venus during her passage through the Simpson Bay Bridge in Sint Maarten. Talk about threading the needle, that's some super, superyacht captaining!

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/0I3Pq0yp6Z8

DJ

While whiskey decanters and rocks glasses might conjure up traditional images of pirates or men in business suits relaxing in dark, wood-paneled libraries decorated with old portraits of statesmen and distinguished luminaries,  in fact, it is women who are leading the current Whiskey Renaissance. With women joining the ranks of power, be it in politics or business, old attitudes are shifting --and barware patterns are also changing. We’ve developed a new look to our classic whiskey decanters that will appeal to every whiskey lover!             Our Captains Decanters with compass rose and sailboat themes have a classic look that simply never goes out of style. The new Angler’s Decanter and Rocks Glasses are inspired by mid-century stylized fish designs. Bold yet charming, they are artfully engraved and polished to breathe fresh life into an age-old theme.      

 

Our line of Bohemian hand-engraved crystal is a true showstopper, with coiling rope and iconic nautical anchors, in crystal clear or intense cobalt blue.

Here’s to the whiskey aficionados among us, especially the nautically inclined ones, whether they be on land or at sea! DJ

Few things are as beautiful or quintessentially nautical as Christmas Boat Parades. Gather up the kids, bundle up, and head for a harbor near you.  Here is a brief list of parades happening this year in the two busiest parade areas, Florida and California. If you're lucky enough to be in either place, make sure you don't miss the parade!   California: For more information visit See California Dec. 12th: Fisherman's Wharf Dec. 12-13: Dana Point, Oxnard Dec. 13th: Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Long Beach Shoreline Marina, Naples, Oceanside, Petaluma,  San Joaquin, Sausalito Dec. 13-14: Huntington Beach Dec. 14th: Marina del Rey, King Harbor, San Diego, Santa Barbara Dec. 17-21: Newport Harbor Dec. 21: San Diego Florida: For more information visit: Florida By The Water Dec. 12th: Boynton/Delray, Hernando Beach, Tarpon Springs Dec. 13th: Apollo Beach, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Carravelle, Cedar Key, Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Cortez/Longboat Key/Bradenton Beach, Deland, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Gulf Port, Key Largo, Key West, Madeira Beach, Marathon, Naples, New Smyrna Beach, Niceville, Orange Park, Orlando, Panama City Beach, Pine Island, Placida, Sarasota, St. Pete/Vina del Mar, St. Petersburg, Winter Park Dec. 14th: Clermont, Destin, Key Colony Beach, Pompano Beach Dec. 19th: Cape Canaveral, Titusville Dec. 20th: Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Homosassa, Indian Rocks Beach, Merritt Island, Miami, Okeechobee, Palm Harbor/New Port Richey, Punta Gorda, Satellite Beach, St. Augustine, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island Dec. 21st: Redington Beach/Indian Shores DJ

Sure, we'd love to enjoy summer all year, with lazy sunny days on the water and warm swims in the sea! As we turn our clocks back this weekend, though, it’s time to officially welcome the winter months, and enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of coastal living in the off-season. Celebrated artist, surfer and chef, Jim Denevan set a creative coastal tone at the end of Daylight Savings Time last year, with his amazing solar lantern art created on Laguna’s Main Beach for the Laguna Art Museum’s Art & Nature Festival. Known internationally for his monumental, temporary drawings on beaches throughout the world, Denevan's art is eco-friendly, and in sync with the sea. Beginning at the 4:00 a.m. low tide, Denevan worked with sticks and rakes to create a large geometric pattern of circles and spirals. Throughout the day, 40 volunteers traced his designs with approximately 2,500 solar lanterns that lit up as darkness set in.

 

  Laguna Art Museum will hold its second annual Art & Nature Festival this November, celebrating Laguna Beach as a center for the appreciation of art and nature.  To learn more about this year’s Art & Nature Festival, visit www.LagunaArtMuseum.org  DJ