Coastline Treasures

Does it ever seem like your living room lacks that little something extra? Or your bedroom just isn’t as cozy as it should be? If so, chances are you’re in need of a little furniture revamp. Creating a warm and inviting space is possible in any room of your home with a few small additions. For example, an accent table adds a lot of character to a room, and placing a lamp on top of the table provides an instant cozy light source.  You might also think about rearranging your existing furniture to be more functional, and rearranging the furniture once in a while just for the heck of it makes the room different and unique.

The walls can also make a room look much barer than it is, so painting the walls, adding a chair rail, or placing pictures and posters makes for an appealing aesthetic.

Certain historical figures and personalities simply captured the spirit of their age. John Wayne embodied that Old West hero archetype more than any other actor of his generation. His most memorable films - Stagecoach, The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - showcased his ability to portray law and justice in a corrupt world. In today’s society, we could all use a dose of John Wayne’s rugged character.

Decorative wall plaques serve to remind us of the biographical details of our cultural heroes. Whether that hero happens to be John Wayne, Elvis, The Beatles or others, it’s important to find inspiration in those positive messages that are instilled early in life. The world seemed to be a little simpler back then - when the good guys always outfoxed the villains in the end. It never hurts to reminisce, and wall plaques can facilitate that desire.

The hammock has been around for approximately 1,000 years and was created in Central America by the Mayan Indians using a web-like design which is still in use today.  It is considered to be the most comfortable of all hammocks.  The earliest hammocks were made from the bark of the Hamak tree and woven together.  Due to extensive trade routes, hammocks became a mainstay throughout Central and South America with hammocks evolving into cloth, fabric, cords and rope.

Hammocks have been used for in the military, prisons, beaches and inside homes for comfort, portability and for their space saving abilities.  It wasn’t until the 1880’s that hammocks became popular in North America with millions being sold.  Over 100 million people worldwide; Africa, China, Philippines, Central and South America, and many more countries use hammocks everyday for beds and furniture.  It wasn’t until the last 50 years or so that the cotton hammock became popular!  Be sure to try one out, you may be hooked.

When renovating a room to be converted into a study or an office, it is important to pay attention to the details. An office usually has a subdued look to it. However, this does not mean that you have to make it dark and heavy. In fact, having sufficient light will work wonders in transforming a dull office into a breathable work space.

Blank walls must not be neglected. There are so many solutions to liven up the walls. Offices look good in neutral colors. Neutrals are safe colors and can be matched with just about any furniture or painting. A console table lined with decorative hanging wall plates may be added for that dignified executive touch.

With both parents working, spending time with the children can be a struggle. That means that parents must make time for their kids. Kids who get more attention at home are more likely to become successful and productive adults.

There are many activities that parents can do to increase the bonding time they have with their children. One way to do this is to build model sailboats together. Building a wooden model ship takes an extended period of time and concentration. Working so closely with your child on such a project will bring the two of you closer together.

The most difficult area of taxidermy is mounting fish.  As fish dry, the scales turn brown leaving little color.  The taxidermist not only has to recreate the anatomy of the fish but to also color all over the fish.  Fish taxidermists are artists with skill in drawing, painting, coloring, and sculpting.  Not all these skills are necessary for other types of taxidermists.

Depending on whether your fish lives in warm water, cold water or salt water will determine how it is mounted.  Warm water fish that have tough skins and large scales are able to be skin mounted; the fish is skinned preserving the skin and mounted over a manikin or the fish’s body filled with material that hardens to form its shape.  Cold water fish have thin, smooth skin with fine scales making mounting more difficult; they are usually mounted over manikins.  Most salt water fish are entirely recreated with synthetic materials; cast in a mold and recreated in coloration to appear like a real fish.  Fiberglass reproductions can last for years.  No matter what method you use to display your catch, your fishing décor will certainly make a statement and be the center of conversation.

While on a trip to Savannah Georgia we went on a bay cruise.  We cruised along the shoreline watching the pelicans diving for food and the pods of dolphins swimming frantically.  There was a shrimp boat in the bay casting off some of its days catch into the waters.  These dolphin figurines were such a delight to watch against the beautiful sparkling waters and skyline.

The dolphins raced around the boat jumping up into the air trying to seize these delicacies.  They showed off their physical abilities while prowling for this food; jumping, twisting and turning to be the first one.  They were not afraid of the fishermen or the boat as they had come to know them quite well.  I wondered if this was a daily occurrence for these playful sea mammals.

As a kid I would go fishing with my dad.  He loved to get up in the early morning hours to catch the first fish of the day.  I wasn’t as eager as he was about getting the first fish or putting a worn on the hook.  We would get all our fishing gear together along with fresh worms and head for the dock.  I have to admit it was beautiful, calm and quite.  All you could hear were the birds singing, the breezes blowing and the lapping sounds of the water against the boat.  The vision of the sun rise and all its magnificent colors were breathtaking.   As we took the early morning ride to our fishing destination we would sit quietly taking in the sights.  While fishing we would visit, laugh, me squirming as I baited the hook, and dad trying to be patient while teaching me.  It didn’t matter, at least to me, if we caught anything or not, it was about spending time with my dad.

These were very precious moments spent together.  I often think of them fondly and find myself wanting a piece of that memory close at hand.  To recreate these memories I have added fishing home décor.  Whether I tuck a figurine on a shelf, hang decorative plates or wall décor, they all bring me sense of joy.   You too can bring back memories by adding home accents.

While on a trip to Tybee Island in Georgia, we went on a boat trip taking us through the bay and up the river.  The waters were clear and the sun made each wave sparkle in its light.  We could see many birds; I was especially delighted by the pelicans.  They were fun to watch as they circled then drove to catch their prey.  We could see the occasional fish jumping up into the air and the dolphins playing in the wake of the boat.

What was the most surprising to me where the numerous lighthouses, day beacon and buoys.  At every turn there they were marking the path keeping us safe and leading the way.  I was intrigued by the different lighthouse figurines; some were on the shoreline and some were in the waters.  I was told that the tides make the travel treacherous without their guidance.  What I did not realize was that the lighthouses in water were on dry land at low tide.  I was glad to know that these sea markers were there to safely guide our way.

Dolphins are carnivorous marine mammals and relatives of whales and porpoises. Despite their meat-eating habits, they are actually quite friendly, and I was able to swim with two dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last year. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.  I thought their skin would be rubbery, but it was soft. 

The dolphins I swam with were well-trained and seemed very contented, performing many tricks, pretending to dance with us or shake our hands, and if you were brave enough, doing a trick where two of them swam in tandem and threw you a few feet across the pool (I did this, too-it was fun). If swimming with a dolphin is something you have always wanted to do and you have the chance, I really recommend it. Of course, the water park sold crystal dolphin figurines, T-shirts, and everything else you can imagine that might have a dolphin on it.