Meet Artist Tricia Strickfaden

I am so happy and excited to introduce you to my newest sponsor, artist Tricia Strickfaden.

  This fresh faced blonde haired beauty from California is  a self taught abstract painter, who loved  painting and drawing as a young child. Today she is enjoying a flourishing art  career in Manhattan Beach, CA, where she lives with her husband and two children.A self proclaimed southerner Tricia grew up in Texas, but  her heart belongs to South Carolina. Charleston, to be exact. ( I like her already!) Her love for the southern hospitality and the plantation style architecture inspired her to build and design her Southeastern coastal inspired home in CA. 

Tricia studied art and interior design in college and was in the design industry for years, even having her own firm.It was after the birth of her daughter that she decided to go back what she loved. She enrolled in a oil class at a local community college and there her career began.
 Her passion for art carries over into her community by volunteering her time in the local schools and various charities. She also gives private art lessons.

 There is a tranquility to her paintings that just seems to  hold you and bring you in. I find myself looking at this one over and over again.

Dawn Breaking

        While vacationing in SC. Tricia fell in love with the marshes and the waters of the inter coastal waterway  and has done a few abstract marsh scapes. I think she captured it beautifully!   This painting in particular has  touched me.                                           

Pale Reflections

Cool Waters II

 

Currently she has her work on display at Tim Clarke's Tower 20 store in Santa Monica, CA. Lucky Lady! If you follow my blog, then you know my love for Tim and my brief 15 minutes of fame with him! If you are interested in a painting or speaking with Tricia, email her @ tsmodernart@aol.com or "like" her page on Facebook @ TS Modern Art.You can also keep up with the latest on Tricia through her blog http://tsmodernart.blogspot.com.

I hope the next time Tricia is in SC she and I will get to meet in person! I hope you love her work as much as I do!

  

Sweet Serenity

Whenever I can find a home on Nantucket to post about, I jump on it, and if you follow my blog on a regular basis, then  you  already  know my love  for this island.. It is peaceful, serene, magical place, that I hope to be able to return to one day. This home designed  Donna Elle, is a serene home, with the beautiful colors of the ocean, and sea glass that give this home a comfortable and sophisticated vibe

              Right away you are greeted with a sense of calm.  The closet door  is made of driftwood!

 

White washed seaside glam mixed with

 

                                              modern nautical. Love the boat shaped bar.

                                                               

 

The top of the bar was hand painted by a local artist.

 

                                              A modern coastal sophistication

 

I love this bedroom !  So peaceful. Would love to wake up and smell and see the ocean.

Images Boston Home Magazine

Wu Hoo ! Janson Wu!

 Up until recently, the fabulous fashion designer Jason Wu's line to be released on February 5th  for Target , has been  kept pretty hush hush. Several pieces have been shown as a preview,and I like what I am seeing! This line is sure to be a hit There is a definite nautical flare to many of the pieces, with Nautical stripes and plenty of Red and Blue. The line has somewhat of a modern day vintage look  while looking Demure, feminine and preppy.  Who else is excited about it decides me?

 

 

Images of a Low Country Christmas

The Low country is rich in southern  tradition  and charm. At the holidays these traditions shine through.whether it is the traditional southern style, or a casual beach chic look, they are all beautiful!

I have gathered images of Christmas decor from around  this beautiful area of which I live.

The first three images of are of the beautiful home of the owners of The Rhett House Inn here in Beaufort. Their home was featured in Southern Living. It is very traditional in Southern style. Their home and The Rhett House Inn are Beautiful.If you ever come to Beaufort the Rhett House is a lovely place to stay.

                               This beach cottage is in Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton,SC

                                                               I love this bedroom!

                                                      This final home is in Santee,SC

                                            Wreaths on every window are so charming.

                                        Pineapples and palm fronds are quintessentially southern.

                                                                              Charleston

Coastal Cool In Connecticut

Colorful, casual, and classy are just a few words that come to mind when I saw Lynn Morgan's latest design project in Southport, CT. There is destinct coastal influence, combined with a classic elegance that flows beautifully.I can't decide which room is my favorite! Which one do you like best?

 

 

 

Blue Bird Nest

Bird nests are frequently seen as part of the Shabby Chic look.Even though I have never used a birds nest as part of my decor in my home, I had the perfect opportunity when  I found a  nest in my Blue Bird house. I thought I would  use my new found treasure and implement it into my coastal decor.Every year a Bluebird house should be cleaned out, for the Bluebirds to return to nest. This is just another thing I have neglected to do, and may very well be the reason I haven't seen any recently.I went to clean the house and found....






 The hole is too big, and prey can get the sweet little birds.Time for a new bird house.

 


Pretty little nest





 I had no idea how to preserve a bird nest, so I did a little research. I gently shook the nest to remove loose debris.Instead of using a pesticide that was recommended, I used the microwave. I kill  the bugs in Spanish Moss  the same way. I figured it couldn't hurt.I  set the microwave for 10 seconds. Wow, little critters were running for their lives! I did this at 10 second increments, for 90 seconds.

Next...

I gently  remolded the nest, and gave it 3 coats of the acrylic spray.

I purchased a  handmade Poplar bowl , last weekend and had no idea where I was going to put it. I had to finish it with Linseed oil to bring out the wood grain and seal and protect it.

I started putting some of my shells, driftwood,moss and some other goodies in the bowl.




I wanted to keep it very neutral in color.

 I kept adding more Spanish Moss, and let it billow over the sides. I put some see glass in the nest, for a little color.


I added some palm leaves that I got from the yard to add some height This is the finished product..What do you think?