Thank God for the ocean. It is my happy place.
Elle Decor
Coastal Living
Coastal Living
Coastal Living
Coastal Living
I had my maiden voyage to the beach this weekend. And as expected I now have a crazyass tan. Well, not so much tan as red in some areas and still pasty white in others. I look something like this...
Yep, it's hot.
Whitney Kreb's oil paintings celebrate the relaxed elegance that is seaside living. The artist, who splits her time between Charleston, SC, and Nantucket, MA, creates unique compositions of coastal scenery that are harmoniously graphic and painterly. Her aesthetic is constantly evloving as she reworks and reinvents mainstays that include sea life, ocean views, and the familiar streets of her hometowns. She also paints on-site murals in local designer showhouses and private homes.
Whitney received her BA in Studio Art from Davidson College and her MFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has also studied in Florence, Italy, and the Art Students League in New York City. While in Charleston, she works and exhibits out of her studio at Redux Contemporary Art Center and is represented by the George Gallery and the Charleston Artist Collective. Whitney is also represented by Robert Foster Fine Art, Coastal, and the Artists' Association of Nantucket in Nantucket, MA.
Is there anyone you credit with gifting you your artistic ability and/or teaching you your skills? Or did you just pick up a brush one day and get lucky?
My grandfather was a very talented artist. He always brought me new art supplies and I always had an easel in my bedroom growing up. I had a ton of encouragement from my parents and was lucky to attend art camps and classes outside of school. I took my first oil class in 10th grade and was pretty much hooked after that.
Since it varies for each artist, we want to know what inspires you?
The beach, coastal living, the 1980's, fashion and interior design bloggers, my two homes- Charleston and Nantucket- all the people, places, style and local colors.
Do you hang your own work in your home?
I do. They kind of revolve in and out, but I have tried to hang on to the ones that have special meaning to me. I also have some work by my artist friends- I am always up for a trade!
Is there a specific artist/work that you covet?
I am a huge fan of Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn. I also love Alice Neil, Laura Owens and Elliott Puckette. Locally, the George Gallery and the Charleston Artist Collective have a great selection of contemporary Charleston artists.
If you were not an artist, what career do you think you’d have?
Probably still something in a creative field- maybe an architect or something in the fashion world.
Rapid fire…
Favorite city to travel to? L.A. West side.
Guilty pleasure? Steve Winwood, Phil Collins, and Richard Marx
Favorite restaurant in Charleston? High Thyme and Basil
Saturday activity: beach, shopping, museum, festival or sofa? BEACH. But the others are a close second.
Three words to describe yourself: sarcastic, grateful, optimistic
If you are interested in purchasing any of Whitney's art please stop by Eclectic, call us at 843.388.7002 or email sidney@eclecticcharleston.com. Remember, these will only be available during the month of May and yes we will ship for an additional charge!
Eclectic is a Charleston, South Carolina based full-service boutique interior design firm in specializing in the design of residential projects including entire homes and the styling of individual rooms. We also offer virtual e-design services. Please email sidney@eclecticcharleston.com for additional information.
Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (just over the bridge from downtown Charleston) selling an array of vintage mid-century pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made creations with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.
Have you seen the Coastal Living Showhouse on Daniel Island yet? It just opened to the public last week and my friend interior designer Ginger Brewton did a great job! I know she worked her tail off and it showed! Set right on the Wando River, this house is beautiful on the inside and out.
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The kitchen was one of my favorite rooms in the house. I especially love island/built-in dining table with the marble countertops!
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I love how light and clean this room is! And these poufs...OMG...these poufs! Dying.
I thought this was a brilliant use of space for storage under the stairs!
The backyard has a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking the Wando River. If only I could have this view from my back porch!
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Throughout the house was artwork by the very talented local artist, Cindy DeAntonio.
This month, Cindy DeAntonio, will be having her debut art show at Eclectic! I am so excited to see her fantastic collection of work!
Hope to see you there!
Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.comfor additional information.
Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.
Coastal Living
via absolutelybeautifulthings blog
Coastal Living
Coastal Living
Of course I couldn't find the main image I was looking for which I have been saving for years. It was of an outdoor shower made of concrete with oyster shells embedded into the walls. Amazing! Anyhoo..I love an outdoor shower and think it can be great and super functional if you live at the beach. But they can be super creepy if you don't live at the beach. Like the time I was house sitting for some friends and they told me to beware of the neighbor that bathed every morning in their outside shower which was in clear view to the bedroom I was staying in. Bizarro! And this one time on spring break, I was staying in a house in Hilton Head in which the inside master shower had a glass wall that you could open up a wood door on the exterior of the house so that all the neighbors and/or people at the pool could watch you shower. I am assuming that Hugh Hefner owned the house.
I was flipping through the June issue of Traditional Home magazine and came across this wonderful "Texel Ottoman" by Thomas Eyck and absolutely fell in love! I cannot imagine the work that went into creating such a piece!
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Texelaar Ottoman: $2,145
Since I live on the coast, it seems I am naturally drawn to anything nautical inspired.
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I love this idea for a boy's room
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Wow.. this mirror is amazing!
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I love when I see people use nautical themes in their outfits as well
Over the years, I have collected a few nautical items myself some of which I have repurposed and have for sale in my shop. (see images below)
Burlap Anchor Pillow: $68, Extra Large Antique Bottle: $175,
Vintage Life Preserver: $155, Yellow Life Preserver Mirror: $185
Some nautical decor around the shop
Duralee Coastal fabric in Navy and Red
Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.comfor additional information.
Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.
Add a mirror to give it a function.
Or hang it as a piece of art.
Use old doors, windows, gates as a headboard.
Use shutters as a dividing screen.
If building or remodeling, use the architectural element in it's original form.
(oh, how I covet these circles!)
As I have probably mentioned (many times before) I love to use old architectural pieces in new and exciting ways. Living in Charleston, old items like windows, shutters, doors, etc. are pretty prevalent. As I sold the window from my online store Objects yesterday, I got inspired to post all these images I have collected of interesting architectural elements used in an updated manner. I hated to see the little guy go but I am excited to see how my friend uses it in her new home!
~Images: 1) Unknown 2) Traditional Home 3) Traditional Home May 2006 4) House Beautiful March 2008 5) Coastal Living 6) via shelter blog 7) Cottage Living September 2008 8) Coastal Living 9) Southern Accents July/Aug 2007
