Coast Explorer Blog

A newly expanded home décor showroom at Purple Starfish Gift Boutique in Depoe Bay presents new displays to make you feel at home. These comfy displays feature tableware, lighting, home accents and functional furniture. Among the newest lighting choices offered is the sea urchin lamp with its beautiful coral shade from Elaine Groth. The boutique’s knowledgeable staff can assist you in designing your own comfortable reading nook, seaside sitting room or nautical-inspired getaway. Lamp prices begin at $195. Purple Starfish Gift Boutique, Depoe Bay (541) 765-2336

PELICAN PICKS HOME & GARDEN: Fall/Winter 2010-11
Things we love from the readers and staff of Coast Explorer Magazine

Roman Numeral Clock at Star Furniture in Seaside
This large-scale piece fits into décor from traditional to funky. We love this piece because it is art with a wow factor and gives timeless functionality. It can be the centerpiece of a room or complement your design without overpowering it. The clock is 50 inches, priced at $139. Star Furniture, Seaside (503) 738-8999.


Fairweather House & Garden 
Offers Stylish Illumination
The smoked ice lamp from Smithe is a beautiful solution to your lighting problems and is now available at Fairweather House and Garden in Seaside. This lamp is not only elegant and earthy, it is also a national ARTS award winning fashion forward piece that was nominated by industry experts for outstanding design. The lamp is priced at $495. Fairweather House and Garden, Seaside (503) 738-8899.

Dichroic Glass Art Decor at 
Purple Starfish in Depoe Bay
We love the visual impact and kaleidoscope of color in these fused dichroic glass pieces at Purple Starfish. These sculpted human forms are created by artist Karen Ehart and range in size from 16 to 36 inches. Prices range from $900 to $2500 depending on size. Purple Starfish, 
Depoe Bay (541) 765-2336.

Woven Essentials Upholstery Fabric 
at Mead Interiors
These gorgeous upholstery fabrics from Mead Interiors in Astoria recently caught our eye. We love the luxurious textures, vivid colors and intricate and elegant design patterns. Some of these fabrics were recently used to reupholster booths at Camp 18 Restaurant on Highway 26. Mead Interiors, Astoria (503) 325-0701



Got something you love that deserves to be a Pelican Pick? Send it to us at: editor@coastexplorermagazine.com and you may see it here in a future issue.

Noted impressionist painter Ernestine Tahedl is a featured artist at Depoe Bay’s Silver Heron Gallery where many of her pieces depicting watery lilies are currently on display. Tahedl’s water lilies reflect an ethereal quality indicative of her fluid style.

There is a decidedly ethereal quality in Ernestine Tahedl’s lily ponds. In this painter’s watery world, reflection and light perform major roles and her serene blues and greens play perfect antagonists to the bold splashes of color in her spotlighted lilies.

Tahedl explores and pushes the fine line of balance between realistic imagery and impressionistic expression in her work. Austrian born and formally educated in Vienna, Tahedl now calls Ontario, Canada her home. With a wealth of awards and accolades under her belt, she has exhibited her work at major galleries in Austria, Canada and New York, to name a few.

Her recent works, the majority of which are large scale acrylics on canvas, can be seen on the Oregon coast at Silver Heron Gallery in Depoe Bay. Her 48 X 64 inch acrylic on canvas (above top), titled “Silent Evening” is priced at $5500. Silver Heron Gallery, 15 SE Bay Street, Depoe Bay (541) 765-2886

THE PACIFIC COASTLINE is dotted with the remains of thousands of ships that succumbed to the power of the ocean. Only a few are visible now, but others show up from time to time when the tides coax them from their sandy sanctuaries. Each skeleton has a story to tell and visitors come from near and far for the chance to regard one of these relics. The Peter Iredale, without a doubt, is the most notable landmark shipwreck on the Oregon coast. The four-masted steel barque ran aground in 1906, but the rusted steel hull can still be seen year-round. The ship was abandoned on Clastop Spit near Fort Stevens in Warrenton making access to this historical remnant easy for most anyone. The Pacific coast occasionally offers up opportunities to catch glimpses of these buried treasures during extreme low tides or after heavy storms. The Bettie M, a tuna seiner wrecked in 1976, is visible during extreme low tides at the junction of Jetty A and Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco. Cannons discovered near Arch Cape, providing inspiration for the city name Cannon Beach, are believed to be from the USS Shark, which sank in 1846 while attempting to cross the Columbia River Bar. In 1910 near the coast of Depoe Bay, an explosion rocked the J. Marhoffer. Boiler Bay was so named for the wreckage of the steam schooner’s boiler that can be approached during low tides. Most recently, the Sujameco was uncovered near Coos Bay after unusually heavy surf. This steamboat ran aground in 1929 and typically is only visible in the winter. There are thousands of stories to be told, and visitors to Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco and the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria will be treated to “Graveyards of the Pacific” this October, a weekend event that includes maritime programs, ranger talks and exhibitions. The museum will also open a new exhibit “Crossing the Bar: Perilous Passage” featuring an interactive shipwreck map of the Columbia River Bar. Treat yourself to a visit of the ghosts of voyages past along the Pacific coastline, where history is right at your fingertips. -Cristine Shade

Things we love about coastal shopping from the readers and staff of Coast Explorer

Chamilia Beads at Holly McHone Jewelry in Astoria
Holly McHone Jewelry has a mix-and-match line of handcrafted beads by Chamilia. Selection includes 14k gold, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, Italian Murano glass and colored stones. Pair them with designed companion bracelets, bangles and necklaces. Beads range in price from $27 to $350. Holly McHone Jewelry, 1150 Commercial Street in Astoria, (503) 325-8029.


Designer Jackets at Kay Lynn’s
Kay Lynn’s in Seaside features a great selection of jackets, and one of our faves is this Windridge jacket designed by Cheryl Nash. These stylish jackets are comfortable and washable; a great piece for summer wardrobes. Available in bright red or yellow colors, $146. Kay Lynn’s, 317 Broadway in Seaside, (503) 738-6156.

Colorful Creatures at the World Kite Museum
The colorful collection of creature kites at the World Kite Museum in Long Beach make our list of favorite coastal things. Available in every color you can imagine, we think these kites make for great sky and wall decorations! Washington World Kite Museum, 303 Sid Snyder Drive SW in Long Beach, (360) 642-4020.

Adorned Sculptural Gourds at Purple Starfish
A Northwest coastal artist adorns a variety of gourds with natural treasures such as sunstones, feathers and seashells creating one-of-a-kind art that is influenced by the organic shape of the gourds. Priced from $75 to $325, these unique pieces can be found at Purple Starfish, 48 SE Hwy 101 #1, Depoe Bay, (541) 765-2336.

Retro Aprons from Caffe Latte in Seaside
We love the retro-style aprons at Caffe Latte in Seaside’s Carousel Mall. They come in a variety of fabrics and a wide array of cool colors and patterns. Available in kids sizes, too! Prices range from $12 to $30. Caffe Latte in Seaside’s Carousel Mall, 300 Broadway, (503) 738-8631.

Mud Pie Dinnerware at Village Merchants
We love the seashore motif dinnerware by Mud Pie found at The Village Merchants in Pacific City. Sip your soup from a seashell by the seashore! White glazed terra cotta color, available in starfish and seashells motif. And, add splash to your settings with fun, matching accessories like mermaid napkin rings and seashell condiment spreader. Prices range from $5 to $35. The Village Merchants, 34950 Brooten Road in Pacific City Pacific City, (503) 965-6911.

Got something you love that deserves to be a Pelican Pick? Send it to us at: editor@coastexplorermagazine.com and you may see it here in a future issue.