Inspired by the coast ...

Temperatures rose above 100 degrees in New England today. It is the time of year during mid-summer when one longs to spend it cooling off along the line of the seashore. We are very fortunate that there are so many beaches within driving distance that we can visit to find relief from the heat. It is always worth the trip (as long as there is parking available ; )

Interior designer Katherine Hawkins enjoys the beaches of New England not just for their ability to cool, but for the inspiration that she finds there. An avid collector of sea glass, she is constantly on the lookout for these ocean-hued treasures. Read her article on incorporating the colors of the seashore in her article “Sea Glass Serenity” in the summer issue of New England Finery Magazine. And when you click on her illustration, you will be directed to the decorative pieces she has chosen to represent her vision of a room inspired by the water’s edge.

photograph by Katherine Hawkins

Abalone Waterfall Chandelier
from Cottage & Bungalow

Preparing for summer of 2010

T-shirt I designed for the graduating
4th graders at my son’s school

Today is the last day of school. Remember when the school year started and yellow was my favorite color? Today it is yellow and blue (our school colors).
Let the “Summer of Fun 2010” begin ...

Clearly Fish Pitcher
from Target



Blue Stripe Tumbler Set
from Target


Circo Sealife Hooded Towel
from Target

Circo Frog Beach Towel
from Target

Outdoor Patio Umbrella
from Target





Yellow Flip Flop
from Target



Blue Isles Margarita Glass
Set of four, Turquoise
from Target




Cheers and congratulations! : )

Beach Bag Giveaway!

With summer days right around the corner, I
have decided that it is time for another giveaway!
This beach bag and towel gift set (both in the
Pantone color of the year, Turquoise) are the
perfect pair to give or keep for yourself.

(vintage animal print scarf not included)

Fine details combined with indoor/outdoor fabrics
that can stand up to sea and sun make this
beach bag pretty, durable and unique.

Inside it is fully lined in a sea foam green stripe,
has a built in zippered pocket along with
divided pockets to securely hold cell phone,
keys, summer reading, sunglasses, etc.

I am enclosing one really pretty super size beach towel (that I picked up while shopping last night for stylish props for my space at the North Shore Design Show) so that our lucky winner is completely coordinated
(a swim suit to match is up to the winner!)

All you have to do to be entered to win is:

1. Be/become a follower on my blog
(simply hit the “follow” link at the top of the blogger tool bar) and leave a comment on this post telling me the color of your favorite swimsuit or the name
of your favorite beach (or just say something
nice about my blog : )

2. For a second chance to win, post a link
to this giveaway on your own blog
(send me the link) and/or through Twitter
(follow me on Twitter by clicking here).

Entries must be received by Tuesday, May 11th by 11:59pm EST. I will randomly choose one entry and then announce the winner on Wednesday, May 12th
at 9am EST. Prize will be shipped only to
an address in the United States or Canada
(to be provided by the chosen winner).

This seashell pillow from my last giveaway, now resides in an Ogunquit, Maine home. To see other items that coordinate with this collection,
please visit my etsy shop ...

Good luck!!
xoxo yvonne

More from York ... Seaside Cottage

A summer vignette ...
vintage photo of my grandparents at the beach,
small bouquet from mom’s cottage garden,
seashore treasures cover the windowsill,
basket overflowing with “things to do in York”

I have vacationed in York, Maine for as long as I can remember. My mom would take all five kids up to Long Sands Beach for two weeks each summer. Dad would join us on the weekends. Over the years, we stayed at a few different cottages on Beacon Street that were owned by my mom’s aunt Evelyn who we all called “Auntie.” Our favorite was aptly named “3 Buoys” after my second (or is it third?) cousins
... a set of triplet boys.


Auntie

A little over 10 years ago, my mom bought a cottage up York. We were all excited to create new family memories in our very own cottage by the sea. The fact that we could decorate as we wished was like a tidal pull ... bringing with it many “somethings for the cottage” that over time have been collected like so many shells from the beach.

Here are some of my favorites ...



My mom stands proudly behind her family of five(plus a handful of my cousins) at Nubble Light.
Bureau paint color: Ben Moore Kittery Point Green

I thought this would be the perfect container
to hold magazines for guests.

(years worth of Martha Stewart Living ... still enjoyable!)



The cottage has become home to a sea of mermaids.



This chair painted with Ben Moore Sag Harbor Gray
is from my Vintage Seaside Collection.

Every beach home deserves a handful of sea glass.



My friend Beth Hylan of Petals-to-Keep
created this piece of art that combines
dried flowers with a vintage map of York.



Pine-paneled walls and vintage art
set the tone in the boys room.



I couldn’t pass up this painted
metal pail. The cutie flying the kite
looks a lot like one of my sons.



Bedtime stories



The girls room ... bunnies, fairies, pinks and greens



This framed print looks like mom when she was a girl. The fairy plates remind me of her three granddaughters (the only girls – so far – out of twelve grandchildren!)






A container for the counter and
goodies from the beach ...

And every once in a while, a little design intervention:
a lamp inherited with the cottage ...

receives a mini make-over.

Like the patchwork quilts that grace each bed,
Mom’s summer cottage is warm, cozy,
and pieced together with love.

Until next time ... the sun sets on Short Sands beach