Tied Up! More Nautical Rope Decorating Ideas

Inspired by the nautical decor showcased in the "Give Me Some Rope" article, featured in the 2015 Seaside Style magazine,  I thought I would update you all on some of our latest rope and knot maritime decorating trends discovered for this year.

Jacqueline deMontravel, the author of the article had some wonderful maritime ideas profiled, including a fun pillow and rug from our store. (so cool!) A classic design motif throughout time, rope and knot themed home decor, for us, symbolizes enjoying a shore home and living beside the sea. Not only for tying up the boat, rope decor knots your your beach house style together.

Can't go wrong with adding even just a hint of this seaworthy trend!

Our new Coastal Retreat Pillows are now in stock - LOVE the ropes!  

Timeless navy blue maritime decorating with a "rope" twist! One of our favorite finds this year - 

The Navy Blue Rope Wrapped Table Lamp

Rope Mirrors in new sizes and shapes!  We love this Nautical Rally Mirror, there is also a square and a triangle version to match.

A simple take on a porthole, this round wood mirror with its' rope handle is a nautical decorating essential. A little bit rustic, but totally coastal cool! 

Enchanting new Lanterns with rope handles!  Perfect for indoor or outdoor illumination - large enough to make a beautiful statement in a coastal home. (we have several styles - come see!)

Nautical Wood Lanterns 

Our Yellow Striped Anchor Pillow - Featured in Seaside Style Magazine!  

Check out the Blue Crab and Rope pillow also. The embroidered and appliqued details on these pillows in absolutely incredible.  Bonus - they can be used outside too! 

P.S. Coming soon - a NEW Red Striped version of the Anchor Pillow

Tie one on with this delightful Sailor's Knot Area Rug! Also featured in Seaside Style

And for just a little touch of knots and rope, these nautical Masthead napkin holders make wonderful gifts.  Plus the "rope" weight keeps your napkins ship-shape!

One more lamp to show you - The Master Higgins Rope Lamp! Created of natural rope "tied up" into knotted spheres and capped off with a natural beachy linen shade.  

Don't get me started!  Decorating with nautical rope designs is just one of my very favorite trends - 

Seriously though, if you haven't grabbed the latest copy of  Seaside Style, make sure to pick a copy up the next time you are by your local magazine rack. This spring 2015 issue is packed full of enchanting beach and shore living ideas. I am still devouring my copy!

P.S. Two more places to check for Rope Trend inspiration:

1. Our Trending - Nautical Decorating with Rope Pinterest Board
2. New Inspired Coastal Style Category - Tied Up in Rope

Grilled King Salmon via a Boat, a Whale and a Walrus

The A Boat, A Whale & A Walrus cookbook (story book really) from Renee Erickson, Seattle restaurateur, and now cookbook author, was one of the best Christmas presents I received this year. My daughter, Allison, surprised me in Seattle at Christmas; I didn't think she could leave NYC, and was totally bummed out.  Between Allison, Alex and Tom they all hid the secret.  She was the best present, but the cookbook she brought me was a nice surprise too!

So of course, I needed an occasion to try something delish and fabulous out on my friends! Caution: There might have been more than a little bit of wine involved...

Absolutely scrumptious salmon recipe with a few little tricky things to keep in mind:

1. A food processor makes a world of difference in creating the Tarator

2. There are a lot of steps, but this is a fairly easy recipe without a lot of unusual ingredients.

3.. Start with really fresh salmon

4. Serve Wine

5. Invite friends to share!

Grilled King Salmon with Walnut Tarator and Cherry Tomato Salad
Salmon:
1 (3 1/2 -4 pound) salmon fillet
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Kosher Salt for seasoning
Finishing oil for drizzling
Flaky Sea Salt (or Mediterranean Sea Salt) also for finishing

Walnut Tarator:
2 cups whole walnuts, toasted (ask me and I can tell you how-super easy!)
1 cup, 1-inch artisanal bread chunks
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 smashed glove garlic
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup of water
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Cherry Tomato Salad:
2 pints cherry tomatoes (I like the little heirloom variety also!)
1 pound English cucumbers (avoiding excessive seeds)
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh dill
Julienned peel and juice of 1 large lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea Salt for finishing

Grill the Salmon: 
Preheat charcoal or gas grill for cooking over medium heat around 375 degrees F. Brush the salmon with olive oil and season to taste with kosher salt.  Grill the salmon without turning until just cooked through at the ends. With the grill lid closed, should take about 30 minutes - all depends on size of fish and how thick the center is.   Super super simple.

*we used Suzanne's Jenn-Aire grill in her beach house kitchen- way too cold to be outside!

While the salmon is grilling, make the walnut tarator:
Place toasted walnuts, bread cubes, lemon juice, garlic and kosher salt in your food processor or heavy duty blender (trust me, the food processor is easier!)  Pour the water over the bread mixture, pulse a few times to blend then turn on high speed until smooth, adding the olive oil steadily as you blend together.

Grab your favorite serving platter and spread the tarator out in a "puddle" evenly on the platter and set aside.

Make the Salad:
Combine all of the ingredients, give it a few swirls to mix together well and then season to taste with kosher salt, or if you prefer a flaky sea salt.

When the salmon is done, simply place serving sized pieces onto of the walnut tarator and spoon the tomato salad on top.  Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a shower of sea salt.

Trust me, there won't be one bit left....

 

Like I said, there might have been wine and lots of laughter involved....

You can buy the fabulous A Boat, A Whale and A Walrus at LibertyBayBooks.com - it's on my page of favorites on their website: Caron's Beach Reads 

P.S.  A few ideas for a fun serving platter!

Blue Fish Oval Platter

The Coquille Platter

Not exactly a salmon - but I just love this happy fish platter!

Hogfish Platter

Happy Easter Weekend at the Beach!

I might be about a week late to the party, but  think there might still be time to try a few of these ideas for an Easter weekend treat. If any of you know me... I am not a great diy'er, (I just don't have the time or patience right now!) but even I could pull off a few of these ideas.

First up - Peeps!

I don't think I have ever eaten a Peep in my life - but making smores out of them looks like fun!  Hmmm.. Tom did get a new bbq for Christmas, maybe we could try roasting them this weekend? I did buy new marshmallow roasting sticks at the Half Moon Bay Art Festival this past October....

(image source and ideas from  Eclectic Recipes  - cute blog!)

Peeps as cocktail "ornaments" - now this is an idea that I can definitely grasp! Bought blue bunny peeps, will post the images on Instagram if I can figure out how to make them look pretty.

Idea and pics from HomeisWheretheBoatIs.com - she has a bunch of super cute ideas for peeps as garnishes.  Must see her post!

Absolutely adorable!  Peeps swimming in blue jello cups, makes me miss having little kids around. Struggling a little with my "adult" children being so far away this year...

From TheFirstYearBlog.com - click for Beth's complete directions!

Next up: A few of my favorite Easter Egg decorating ideas for this year -

So pretty and delicate!  Check out all of Boogieboard Cottage's images and ideas for these decoupage eggs

Diver Eggs - just made me smile!

(source: DIYCrafts)

Super easy idea!  Add a few sea-themed items and dye the eggs in beachy colors.  Idea and image from Freutcake.com  - Click here for instructions!

Love love love the retro tropical-beach decoupage images!  Way too cute, must see the whole blog for all of the directions and even printable images that you can use to create your own eggs.   Hop on over to Melodrama Decor.

Cute sparkly polka dot eggs from our friends at Coastal Living Magazine!  Styling by Julia Rutland, using spring colored glitter.  

And a few centerpieces that might work for a quick pretty addition to your Easter weekend table - 

Kristy is always up to something beautiful at Starfish Cottage!  Love her dining room table this year -  absolutely happy and gorgeous.

I would add shells to make these lanterns more coastal, but thought that this was a great idea!  Directions can be found Here

Such wonderful seaside colors  - simple, elegant and perfect centerpiece for an Easter brunch party.

(sorry - not sure of the source!)

Lovely seaside colors (and spring colors) of lime and aqua. Pretty table scape from Centsational Girl!

Super cute Easter party ideas for a kids Easter egg hunt at the Beach - don't you just love this idea? Check out the Small Fry Blog for more details and inspiration 

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

(source unknown - sorry!)