The changing of the seasons from Summer to Fall and ultimately to Winter can be bittersweet for many of us, especially during this anxiety-riddled year of mayhem! Despite our collective life challenges, over the summer, we put our angst aside and ventured out to our beloved coastal refuge to swap negative energy for salt air, sun, family time, and renewed positivity. Alas, leaving those warm, care-free days behind is tough on the old psyche, we get it!

Unfortunately, your nearest beachside or lakeside community becomes a veritable ghost town in the months following Labor Day. Amusement piers with games and rides close and some restaurants and shops shutter due to the lack of enthusiastic visitors. These are all just minor technicalities as far we're concerned.

At Fine Art Canvas, you can trust that we're going to do our darndest to ease you through the tumultuous seasonal transition blues and concurrent holiday madness by introducing a few canvas art prints and styling techniques inspired by the diverse coastal regions of the United States. We also have a few daily activities that transcend seasonal norms to help keep beach day memories alive and thriving.

So grab a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, snacks, and blankets, perhaps a book for later, and join us in our quest for eternal shore life bliss.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

New England and the Mid-Atlantic states are geographically close and offer similar coastal experiences: warm, humid summers with electrifying thunderstorms, and equally cold, snowy winters are fueled by the undercurrents of the Gulf Stream. Blonde sand or pebbly beaches are generally flat, save the occasional rocky jetty or cliff, and are lined with rolling dunes, seas shells, and sometimes horseshoe crab and jellyfish carcasses.

Martha’s Vineyard, MA is our top New England beach adventure.

Rich in history and delectable seafood, this enchanting island offers unique forms of entertainment devoid of seasonal restrictions. Take a stroll through Oak Bluff and visit the row of brightly colored and ornately decorated Gingerbread homes, with carved wooden latticework. Erected in the 1800s, witnessing their beauty is well worth the trip. During the winter, the ferry between the Mainland and the island is still up and running, so you have zero excuses for not taking the day journey!

At the southern tip of New Jersey lies the sleepy Victorian shore town of Cape May, NJ. Aside from hopping in your car, with the aforementioned comfort snacks and cozy wool wraps and sweaters, or heading to the casinos in Atlantic City, Cape May offers a unique holiday treat. Join a horse and carriage tour to view the winter splendor of this Victorian-era seaside getaway. Majestic Victorian homes are decorated for the holidays and the quaint shops and restaurants welcome guests all season long.

We beg of you, do not ditch your coastal canvas gems because autumn has arrived! The beach still exists and should be well represented in your office or abode regardless of the season.

We have chosen two canvas art prints that align with the New England and Mid-Atlantic off-summer vibe and mesh nicely with your seasonal decor.  

Coastline Canvas Art Print by Michael Petrizzo is a photographic portrait of a lighthouse, the beacon for weary nautical travelers. Stationed along a jagged cliff, grazed by hovering clouds, we just cannot imagine a print more representative of the New England Coastline. 

The Mid-Atlantic beaches offer miles upon miles of sandy beaches and sea-level rocks.  Dune Crossing Canvas Art Print by Studio Arts features a wooden pathway through the reed-covered dunes and brings back vivid memories of our time spent on the Jersey Shore. 

The South

When we envision Southern beaches, we think of warm weather, manatees, and sharks! The southern coastline is at sea-level, quite flat, and covered in golden sand, seashells, and magnificent balmy palm trees!

St. Augustine, FL is our top beach destination to visit in the Fall and Winter months. Although milder temperatures prevail, Southern states do get occasional extreme weather phenomena such as destructive hurricanes and cold snaps. With that said, most beaches in the South still attract large swaths of off-season visitors, known locally as "snowbirds". These individuals travel from the Northern states to bask in the sun and avoid having to dig out of the snow in their native states.

It's much easier to find beachfront activities in this region. St. Augustine, FL, in the northern part of the state, along the Atlantic Ocean, is reportedly the oldest city in the country and was founded in 1565 by the Spanish. In addition to its amazing coastline, St. Augustine's many avenues of entertainment include historical events, museums, and gastro pubs aplenty.  

White Sand Beaches Canvas Art Print by Paul Mathenia portrays a desolate palm tree-lined beach during what might be the beginning of a raging hurricane. We truly love this windswept print hanging on a sun-drenched wall by a large window.  

West Coast

The West Coast, or should we say California, is a temperate coastal region with not much in the way of seasonal variation.

The northern part of the state does tend to be a bit cooler with more rainy days and fog as compared to the warmer, dryer southern portion of the state for the fall and winter.

Southern California beaches can be sandy and level or bordered by rugged bluffs. A string of barrier islands runs from San Diego up to Santa Barbara and is accessed mainly by people brave enough to navigate the waters via kayak. The singular exception of Catalina Island has a ferry that runs daily between itself and Los Angeles and offers a bevy of charming local stores and beaches.

Unlike towns along the eastern seaboard beach communities in California thrive year-round.

Malibu, CA is Southern California's golden jewel. This sparsely populated beach enclave is best known for its movie star inhabitants and season-defying outdoor activities. Going to Malibu any time of the year and you will surely see a swarm of surfers bonding over the ebb and flow of the tides.

Adjacent to surfer-central lies Will Rogers State Park, a hiker's paradise of stunning views and cardiovascular-enhancing hills and canyons.  

Reminiscent of a Southern California beach is vintage-inspired Beach Weekend by Studio Arts Canvas Art Print. Distant mountains can be seen hugging the coastline dotted with sun-worshippers. Meticulously styled hanging above a dining room table dressed for a holiday meal, this coastal print transcends seasonal limitations.

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest encompasses Oregon and Washington State up to the Canadian border. The annual climate for this zone is generally an abundance of rain, fog, and brisk temperatures. Because of this, the Northwest is well known for its captivating and lush temperate rain forests that flank the coastline.

Cannon Beach is Oregon's most beloved seaside destination. Home to a colony of puffins, and the 235-foot Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach is a mountain enveloped wonderland. Locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking in the waters of the Pacific. 

We've taken the liberty of styling photographic Lakehouse by Studio Arts Canvas Art Print in a wood-paneled, cabin home, mounted above a slate mantel. This wall decor instantly transports us to an evergreen-ensconced rocky beach, similar to those that can be found in the Pacific Northwest.  

Although we've included some of our most cherished prints in this article, this list is by no means exhaustive. Visit our extensive collection of coastal artwork to find your next inspiration. 

We hope you've enjoyed our brief discussion on how to incorporate coastal living into your holiday season home decor. Check out our past post on Creating a Coastal Oasis Within Your Beach Themed Bathroom for some other helpful tips on how to incorporate coastal home decor into your space.