DONT FORGET TO SEND FLOWERS

Photos courtesy of Karen Robertson

If you love sending flowers but want an option with a longer shelf life, consider Shellatier, Karen Robertson's newest collection of shell-encrusted flower designs. Made entirely of hand - applied shells, each flower bloom is a work of art. Creative and innovative, her unique designs have a permanence to them so the joy of getting flowers is extended indefinitely.

A Cay Cay Shell Viburnum a blue and white ceramic container.

A Baby Clam shell Hydrangea in a mossy terra cotta pot.

A Lilly of The Valley in shell flowers.

SHELL IT OUT

It's time to bid adieu to the seashore and seashells, but that doesn't mean you can't bring the seaside feeling inside. Karen Robertson's coastal chic  artistic endeavors never fail to surprise, so as you put away your flip flops and sarongs, you can still look at the art on your walls and feel as though your toes are in the sun - warmed sand.

 Karen Robertson's shell - encrusted Blue Limpet Shell Anchors framed artwork  come encased in acrylic or wood frames. There is an old - world charm to these clean and spare designs.

For a more is more effect, shell flourishes and curlicues. Like a neo - sailors valentine, The Shell Grotto collection includes detailed shell inlay in elaborate decorative patterns.  Utilizing the 18th Century art of mosaic shell patterning, the detail is incredible.

I'M A FAN: COLORFUL SEA FANS FROM KAREN ROBERTSON

 Photos courtesy of Karen Robertson

Karen Robertson finds creative ways to work with sea life that always amaze. Taking her inspiration from all things marine, her designs transport ocean life to home life. The Florida-based creative gal has encrusted boxes and obelisks with limpet shells, framed sea fans to sea urchins and pressed specimen seaweed. Her latest incarnation of seafans are framed in crisp white round frames matted in clear glass. The striking contrast of the vividly colored fan, white wood frames and wall color coming through is really fresh and now. Check out this latest colorful crop of 24 and 36" sea fans.

NEWS AND DEBUTS: 2012 SPRING NY GIFT SHOW

Feeling the need for faux? Karen Robertson Collection is launching a new collection of decorative accessories with tortoise shell finishes, all done to resemble the real thing, a Victorian-era specialty. Choose from rich brown mottled mirrors, boxes, obelisks or egg-shaped finials, all in the faux finish.

Soaring upward, a stately pair of obelisks on a mantle could be just what you have been looking for.

On a desk or a bookshelf, this box will never go empty.

AND THE JUNE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS....STYLISH!

Congratulations to Elizabeth Carr of Quogue, LI she has won the pretty Karen Robertson blue shell box. It could work on this table actually---She captured the shore in her starfish, cut hydrangea from her garden, used her wedding china from Raynaud with chocolate and blue mats and napkins and heirloom silver flatware and napkin rings. Fresh and pretty!

HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? SUMMER GIVEAWAY TIME!

Summer accessories can perk up a coffee table in no time. This stunner of a box from Karen Robertson can be YOURS, show me how you fancy up your home for summer days!

Enter at stylebeatcontest@gmail.com by June 18th!

A MINI MINK

Karen Robertson, the product designer behind nature- inspired home accessories, Karen Robertson Collection, has a new company. Known for her use of seashells, sea fans, coral and other marine life on mirrors, boxes and obelisks, has focused her eye on fashion. Her new venture, Shoe Clips, gives your shoes many lives. Decorative clip- ons, like the Mink, shown above, give a pair of basic black flats that something extra. They are just like the flats Lanvin did a few seasons back. The mink detail is made from old recycled mink coats, so not to worry, it is repurposed fashion. They won't keep you warm, but they are charming!

MORE GIFT SHOW GREATS: SHELL GURU KAREN ROBERTSON DEBUTS AT THE NY SHOW

Having shown at the Atlanta Gift Show for a few years, Karen finally decided it was time to bring her world of natural wonder to New York! I have written about her before, and her fantastic shell boxes, faux tortoise shells and pastel pillows. New shell items, sea life, maps and vintage books graced her booth-- a veritable cabinet of curiosities. See her handmade treasure trove at The Karen Robertson Collection. Her creative energy is boundless, and she gets her cues from the natural world. She is a stickler for quality, and all her things are handmade in the USA with tender loving care. Her work has a large green component, since she is reusing found materials, and using vintage books and maps to create something new.

Photos Courtesy of Karen Robertson
Summer is spent on Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts, where Karen escapes the Florida heat. Her genius studio in a tent is the ultimate warm weather hideaway. Talk about being inspired by your surroundings--this is heavenly. Her tent provides a civilized creative getaway where she can relax and generate new ideas.


A daybed for reverie in shell- adorned surroundings make it easy to get in the creative flow.



Winters are spent in Ponta Vedra Beach, FL. Her serene and soothing home there is decorated with her framed sea fans, shell encrusted obelisks and ultra suede icon pillows. Her love of shells runs deep, and she is constantly coming up with stunning new ways to incorporate them into her work.



Handmade shell finials make a mantel complete

The new framed maps of Rome circa 1843 are a fun addition. The prints look great hung in multiples



Shells take on a modern look when mounted on a sleek brushed stainless steel caliper stand



An embellished Ostrich Egg with bugs, butterflies and leaves on stand mixes in well on a bookshelf



The decoupage eggs come with a lobster, coral and octopus designs, seen here with her new paper covered books



Vintage books by the yard covered in marbleized paper were another hit at the show


The red and green marbled paper books have a holiday feel. Yes, I said holiday--it is not too early to start thinking about gift ideas.



The books have a cut out box which Karen calls, "a box in a book", perfect for hiding something secret...