Beach House Decor And The Newport International Polo Series XIX

The Newport Polo Series is a one of Newport's oldest traditions and most popular summer attractions here at this seaside resort. In 1876 James Gordon Bennet, hosted a special dinner party for a carefully selected guest list of a dozen gentlemen who were of the sporting set. Bennet had previewed the new game of polo, on a recent trip to England. The game caught the imagination of the buccaneering class of the Gilded Age. The sport set, embraced the sport and made it part of their annual summer retreat in Newport. Playing fields were established near their summer beach homes on Bellevue Aveunue and the Westchester Cup became the fist polo club of the US. Making Newport the birthplace of polo in America. Today over 23 nations from all six contents have competed in the Polo Series at Glen Farms in Portsmouth.

When summering in Newport, an invitation for cocktails before Polo is a Newport tradition. More often then not in Newport, the beach home will be behind Iron Gates. Here views of the sea shore from one's beach house porch is the Summer Resorts luxury and beauty, that International guests love to take in. As the International sport set mingles, talks polo, and Newport's campaign to host the next America's Cup the beach house's decor must be simple and not be competing against the sea's spectacular beauty. A pair of wicker sofas from Restoration Hardware suits this classic tradition and conversation. Bottles of Veuve Clicquot mixed with coral reef pillows add to the beach house decor conversation and excitement of the social highlight of the polo season the International Polo Charity Ball, on Friday, August 6th. So come on everybody, take a surfing safari Summer trip to Newport! On the following day USA plays Australia, concluded by an authentic New England Lobster bake.

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

Beach house decor is paradise by the Sea in the month of July. Beach houses are filled with summer house guests and one realizes that Summer is here. The warm Summer nights, takes on a smile of light, and your beach house takes in the fresh Sea air. You Sea, when one live by the water, you want your home to take it in and to breath the air.

In this beach house there is the love of the Sea and Sailing. Time is spent on the families Sail boat and it is an important source of entertaining. In the month of July living outdoors plays into a large part of decorating a clients beach house . We choose this simple but sophisticated look, that can be achieved on many out door porches. A beach house decor DIY summer porch. Shown here is Sunbrella Natural fabric drapes, secured with Sunbrella Pacific Blue tie backs, four wooden rocking chairs painted white, two side tables, and two palms, two geranium potted green plants. A few blue accented pillows are placed on the rockers to achieving the elegance of blue's happy summer color.

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."
– Henry David Thoreau

The Ultimate Beach House Antique Hunt

When it comes to achieving the look and feel of a beach house, nautical antiques are the ultimate Island touch.  Which is one of the thousands of reasons, my Chicago friend and I traveled to the famous Brimfield, MA Antique market.  With over 6,000 dealers, who pack more than 20 fields in the town of Brimfield, Massachusetts for nearly a mile, it is one of the most talked about Antique markets in the world. It all started in 1950 in one big field, we learned from Fred with the J&J Field (which Fred tells us was the original market). The town of Brimfield embraced the market Fred told us, "As they realized they could all make money selling parking spaces, leasing their fields." Now Brimfield Antique Market is three times a year, and had been running strong for over 50 years.

This is the treasure hunt of all antique markets!  "How much is it?" is the question we ask through out the day. A sign, "Prices Adjusted According To Attitude," gives my friend and I a good laugh (we are both former shop owner) as we know this to be so true!  Here, you can touch thing, see things, hold things, and learn from the Dealers the history of the antique's days gone by.  It is like a trip down memory lane, as all my experiences of growing up with my Mother, her Mother, and my Ancestors before them come waving through my visionary brain.  Robert, wades through Transferware, as I spot antique lobster traps, nautical sailing wheels, and glass buoys down the field. There are no ocean breezes here, but the history, the mystery, and the pleasures of finding nautical antiques is the ultimate treasure hunt, for any coastal living and beach house owner.  Two Designers walk through the fields, eating the best Kettle Corn we have ever had, and twitter away @NoirBlancDesign for all to sea. (wave) Everyone has a chance to find a treasure at Brimfield. Designer Rock Stars like, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic), and Eddie Ross all know Brimfield is filled with enchanting pleasures and treasures for all to find and Sea.  So mark your calendar and make the trip, besides having loads of fun, this is shorely the ultimate beach house antique treasure hunt of all.

The Brimfield Antique Show runs May 11-16, July 13-18, and September 7-12. 
visit: brimfieldshow.com

A Great Room Evolves Over Time

Beach House Decor often is inspired by attending a great pool side cocktail party. The invite stated guest were to wear colorful attire. What was I to wear? I had come across great deck chairs by Vancouver’s Gallant & Jones the week before and what I loved about the chairs was the Trina Turk Fabric. On my way to Westweek at the PDC, I stopped to take a look at Schumacher's indoor/outdoor signature patterns called The Trina Turk Collection. Rich in color and adapted from Turk’s stunning apparel and obviously inspired by her lifestyle in Southern California.

It was there at this moment that I had the Epiphany to take a drive to Trina Turks LA Boutique. As I arrived, I was drawn to a Sea of Floral embroidered linen pillow, that seemed Hawaiian-inspired, the pattern a colorful collage like Kaleidoscope. I was lost in a sea of colored embroidered pillows, hook rugs, needlepoint coasters and guest towels. I learned that Trina Turk has been in the contemporary market for 15 years (her silk dresses retail for about $300), which she oversees with her stylist-photographer husband, Jonathan Skow. Her brand has grown into a $45 million enterprise , she designs 10 collections a year, about 45 to 50 pieces each time, and all her prints are original.

Always the Stylish Designer, I left with a fabulous dress for the upcoming cocktail soiree and the perfect pillows for my own beach house. Funny how I can pick things out easily for a client but for my own home I sometimes searching forever. But Trina Turks pillows had that ohhh, ahhh, zingo factor. Oh and one fabulous turquoise necklace just because it reminded me of the sea. Yes she is quite the gal Trina Turk and a colorful design inspiration muse to all. Cocktails anyone?

Photo Credits: Trina Turk

Hangin' On For Dear Life

At our Beach House we love a deep, comfortable seat on which to contemplate the day's beach activities. Our family is made up of all men/boys and the family pup. Our beach house is always filled with athletic guys looking to throw down a remote with some snacks. The Britton Collection's Sofa by Russell Mackenna is the perfect fun loving cottage/apartment style sofa for any young man. You know the guy, the one who loves a deep, comfortable seat for stretching out to watch a game on TV. The only thing that could be better, is a beach blanket nap on this man inspired sofa.

Britton Apartment Sofa

Starting At: $2,520

Photo Credit: RussellMackenna

A Fireplace In Your Beach House

From coast to coast it has been a cold February for any one living by the Sea. What I love about this beach house decor is the simplicity of the rustic, country french mixed with a basic shabby chic style white love seat. Accessorized by Antique treasures: a long surf board and sailboat oil painting. For many of us anything rich in history makes Antique shopping a pleasurable hobby.

Numerous clients have disagreed upon my suggestion of "the white cotton sofa" telling me "white gets dirty!" As a Designer you learn not to make waves. A year or so later the same client would rave about loving their white sofa. Why the sudden love? Because a white cotton or white denim slip covered sofa is easy to keep white and clean. If purchased correctly, the slip covers can be washed in the washing machine. Adding a whitener in the water and your white sofa is clean, bright, and pristine again. Another great soil fix is to use a spray bottle filled with water and drop a few tablespoons of Clorox in. Then spray ever so lightly on the soiled white cotton sofa or chair, it works like a charm to remove soil. I have done it personally for years. Another reason I suggest adding a white sofa; is beach house decor fades with the sun quickly. As much as I love color, white is also great on the beach.

If your building or renovating a beach house or home by the sea a fireplace is a added pleasure and value. One of my favorite memories of living in LaJolla, CA on the ocean in my beach house was our fireplaces. At night while the waves of the sea crashed against the rocks, we would relax by the fire with our hot toddy drinks. When it's cold and dreary, people living at the sea want beach house decor that warms them on the inside when there's no sun to warm them on the outside. It's much more soothing to the soul.

Photo Credit: Velvet Linen-Eric Piasecki

Add Coral To Your Beach House Bedroom Decor

Often when decorating a bedroom in February at a beach house you are surrounded with tropical rain storms, fog, and snow on the coast. Adding a touch of red Coral accents in the bedroom can transform your beach house decor from traditional into magical. Walk into a bedroom with soft colors of the sea and the coral will remind you how it was visited by the mermaid. Coral accessories and fabrics will instantly bring your beach house bedroom
into a healing room.

Here are some interesting facts to know when decorating with coral; The Romans believed coral could protect children from harm, as well as cure wounds made by snakes and scorpions. Coral comes from the sea and is associated with emotional healing because of its watery home.

• Emotional healer
• Brings peace
• Stimulates intuition
• Enhances virility
  
• Relieves stress

Photo Credit: Tobey Fairley

A passion for boats, being on the water, and luxury yachts, lead to the design of Harbour Restaurant on the lower west side of Manhattan, in Soho and the Maritime Hotel in the West Village. Harbour embraces everything we love about ship style. With its porthole mirrors to its boat like banquette, we love the ship shape and refined elegance with clean classic lines. The crisp white upholstery and chrome table bases make it so yacht chic! Besides not being able to get enough of that deep blue sea the restaurant cooks with "blue" (oceans' health in mind) principles. Chef/owner Joe Isidori and co-owner's Richard Schaeffer's passion for yachts, water, and food is a winning combination.

Design Can Say It All

The perfect chaise in a psychiatrists office or finally appointed office, can send a message with its relaxing comfort. One needs tranquility, calm, nature, and balance in their life. With September brings Fall air fare sales, fall fashions, the kids back in school, business heats up, and thoughts of escaping the city to your beach house where pleasures transform you.

We love this rustic yet refined washstand crafted of solid oak with a weathered distressed finish from Restoration Hardware. Customize with 1-1/4"-thick Italian Carrara or Crema marble top. Priced at less then $3,284.50 your beach house decor in the bathroom transcends into a natural oasis of design luxury.

Simple Beach Decor For a Pool House

This Hampton Beach decor for a pool house is simple with period windows and vintage hardware. Benjamin Moore paint was used on the floor and was paved in bluestone. Vintage signal flags are displayed above the doors.

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

Beach Towels For Beach House Decor

This 4th of July holiday weekend, Beach House Decor is buying beach towels for the unexpected last minute beach guests. At a house on the water your beach decor is based around your outdoors and sun umbrella. Last year we purchased a Persimmons Umbrella for our back deck facing the water. Knowing that Restoration Hardware has beach towels on SALE, we suggest you shop online now. We love the Navy Miramar Towels, however Persimmons it is. Our green cushions on our vintage teak chaises need a new cover. In the spirit of an old hippie and the economy beach towels are my new thriller. Cushions would be nice but, the beach towel is multi purposeful. Beach house decor cover up or a gorgeous cover up for bikini clad moi. Happy 4th of July!

Surfs up, company is coming and we are on our way to the Promenade in beautiful Santa Monica, Restoration Hardware to pick up two Persimmons Miramar Bordered Medallion Towels. they are sold out online. Oh to sea to shining sea, a stop for Heineken, Soda's (Chicago),Hot Dogs, Potato Chips and Beach Towels at Restoration life is good! As a former retail owner, We support brick and Morter retail. Happy 4th of July!

Looking For A Beach House Table?

Beach house decor for the summer months ahead requires a outdoor dinning table. Beach House Decor loves the Del Mar Table at Resto. Hand woven of supple strands around a rustproof aluminum frame, double-walled design and an innovative man-made fiber that won't fade, crack or tear even after seasons of use. The table is topped with tempered glass and stands on solid teak legs. Fathers day at the beach, 4th of July at the beach, birthday's, lobster fests, out of town guests all require entertaining. This clean contemporary dinning table is on sale and a beach house find!

Between The Bathroom And The Deep Blue Sea

Beach House Decor is charming in every way and this large painted Vanity from Russell & MacKenna is shore to make waves in your beach house. We love this Vanity because of its cottage feel and it is available in 33 colors. Painted maple knobs are standard and Recycled glass knobs (small or large) are available as an upgrade. Russell & MacKenna Vanities are available to order three ways:
1.) as a case only
2). with a solid maple top (no sink hole)
3.) with a solid maple top, Kohler sink and Kohler faucet.

This beach house vanity, will turn up the beach house cottage charm and have you happy as a clam.

Did You Know Coral Has Positive Powers?

In ancient times, coral was believed to have protective powers, sooth fears, and tensions, and encourage positive ways of living together. What could be a better symbol to have in your home than the "The Coral Reef Collection" from Michael Aram which takes its inspiration from the mystical and serene symbolism associated with aquatic imagery.

What could be a better symbol to have in your beach house? The Coral Reef Collection, cast aluminum, and hand hammered steel with industrial lacquer and satin finished cast accents. he coral beach house decor

Price: $195.00

Are You Looking For Beach Accessories in Newport?

On a recent jaunt to Newport Rhode Island Beach House Decor discovered, Beach House by Watercolours located at 42 West Main Rd. in Middletown, RI this Beach House Gift Shop is filled with fun local art, coastal accents, lamps, accent rugs, and cottage furniture. Voted as one of Newport Life Best of Newport County home accessories sources. Interior Designer Barbara Segal founder of Noir Blanc Interiors, found the perfect 90" round seashell pattern tablecloth from a former line she once carried in her Chicago Showroom and stores Patricia Spratt for The Home. We also found a hand crafted white wood row boat, art piece by a local artist to hang in a design clients new renovated Newport, Beach House. A bit pricey but at the end of the day a the perfect find for our clients living room.

Beach Cottage Furniture

Maine Cottage offers this collection:

CAMILLE
Whimsical and beach decor furniture with the choice of 40 colors and luxe fabrics encourages an invigorating conversation in your beach home.

32"W 33"D 35"H

Price: $990
Luxe Fabrics: $1,150

Design with Colors You Love

Interiors/Environmental Spring Color Forecast from the Color Association of the United States


Color can always make your beach house happy! You should love the colors you live with. So pick colors you like! For inspiration look to your favorite paintings, a piece of furniture or pottery, fabrics, flowers and Color Forecasts.

Daring beach decor color schemes are not created to impress. They reflect the personalities and innate style of their creators, you!

(photo credit - Ralph Lauren Florida Room)

Why Not Bring The Beach Inside?

Using shells sourced throughout the world this gorgeous fireplace designed by Tampa, Florida based beach lover Heather Kendall, is just one of the unique, coastal-themed accessories Kendall has created for her clients, who want to capture the essence of the ocean inside their homes. Heather Kendall has been designing with seashells for seven years. Her pieces can be found in beautiful homes from Nantucket to Los Angeles. Each custom design is discussed and created with the client.

www.elegantshells.com