The beach-y culture that surrounds NYC might be surprising to some. I know it was to me when I first moved to New York.
It would be a trip out to The annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island my first summer in the city that my eyes were open to the fact that you CAN indeed take the subway to a beach. In fact the boardwalk at Coney Island was just the tip of it. I quickly discovered there are beaches in every direction of Manhattan that can be reached by train or ferry.
From Queens to the Bronx, Long Island and New Jersey to a peppering of inlets up and down the Long Island Sound just northeast of Manhattan–city dwellers have plenty of opportunity to catch a salty breeze in under an hour from midtown.
Even Mermaids know better than to jaywalk in the city, a special X-ing just for them at the corner of Surf and West 12th in Coney Island
I quickly feel in love with city/beach living. Weekend trips with my fellow VA transplants to the surrounding shores helped save all of our sanity those first summers here. The more oppressive the summer heat in the city became, the more calming floating in saltwater and staring up at the sky became (of course a cooler full of beer and one beat up Scrabble board also greatly aided our cause!)
Inspired by my friend Laura-a master at the good shell/seaglass hunt-I started collecting bits and pieces of every beach we visited. Always the biggest score: blue seaglass (clear, brown and green are much more common round these parts, you see).
The color of this bluish/green glass always seemed so ethereal to me compared to the hustle and grittiness of my city neighborhood that was waiting for me just a train ride away. Now many years later and even more immersed in the region’s beach culture (my commute is now via bike!) I’m finding myself craving this opaque, watery hue yet again.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not shunning Summery Bright Colors (I can’t my wardrobe and home are already chock full of them)–I’m just thinking that much like me, even they need to relax a bit this summer. A few accents of seaglass blue/green here and there and I say:
‘Let the diffusing begin!’
Mermaid, Tidal Pool, Bathwater Blue- call it what you will- the color looks cool even on the hottest summer day ….
Sparkle Bobbies from Anthroplogie, 20 karat gold Aqua Marine necklace from Net-a-Porter.com, Dior Resort 2011, Beach Gauze Agadir Dress from J.Crew, Incandescent Horizon Scarf from Anthroplogie, Gumball Sunglasses from Anthropologie, Alcantara Bathing Suit from Net-a-Porter.com, bulk seaglass from westcoastseaglass.com, tie-dye flats from Luckymag.com
A cocktail ring, a papered wall, a back splash, a counter top, a bit of paint (the deep, murky blue is my favorite blue/green foil), even a pair of sneaks for your beau are enchanting when dressed in a seaglass hue.
seaglass ring from Etsy.com, Brewster Sunburst wallpaper from Target.com, Crystal Field glass title from Ann Sacks, vanity from Russell & Mackenna, Sea Cap paint swatch from Behr Paints, Sperry canvas shoes, Nocturnal Sea paint swatch from Behr Paints
Sophisticated for a town, country or beach tablescape, oui?! (Martha says it’s even a ‘good thing’ for a wedding palette!)
And though the hue is usually associated with beach cottage- I think the color becomes even more exciting when showcased in an eclectic and modern way…
images from House Beautiful, Veranda and Coastal Living
Want to add just one touch this summer? My sure bet shopping list would include:
The modern shape and unexpected color of these trousers by 3.1 Phillip Lim
H2-Ahh! from Ellen Kennon’s Full Spectrum Designer Paint Line
Benjamin Moore’s Covington Blue or Ellen Kennon’s H2-Ahh! –much like seaglass, depending on the light of day these blue/green paint colors change– making them great ‘neutral’ backdrops for all other colors in your room
You gotta dress up your tootsie anyway come the summertime heat- so why not try Essie’s polish in Turquoise and Caicos
and last but not least the inspiration source itself (saved before it was sent out to sea that is!) A set of upcycled Wine Bottle Tumblers from Etsy.com…Hmmm….I’m thinking that cooler full of beer needs to make a comeback this summer as well!
Moving to Big Apple is absolutely exciting! Summers in New York are surely giving you lasting impression about their scenic beachfronts. I haven’t got to New York for a long time and I miss being there. By the way, there are many beautiful things I saw in New York and this post showcased almost wonderful stuffs people should view and know about.
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