Sea Life

Lost in Translation

Planning on taking a vacation but don’t have the time to invest in learning the local language? Almost as essential as a passport and perfect for jetsetting, business trips, and family vacations, the Franklin 12-Language Speaking Global Translator is a convenient, hand-held device that will help you bridge the language gap wherever you go. Containing more than 450,000 words and 12,000 phrases, this translator is ideal for communicating on almost any continent with 12 languages: Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Enter a word in your native language and watch as the device quickly looks up, speaks, and displays the translation in the target language. In a rush? The predictive spelling feature will help you with any misspelled words, and visibility is not a problem with the seven-line screen. Included with this lightweight device are ear buds and an AC adapter, five fun games, a voice recorder feature to practice your pronunciation, and an MP3 player to download and play MP3 files; enjoy music and more while looking up words and phrases. Franklin Electronic Publishers, 12-Language Speaking Global Translator, $199.99.

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Glasair Sportsman Float Plane

Why drive when you can fly and float right to the water’s edge on your property? The Sportsman 2+2 from Glasair Aviation lets you do exactly that, as well as participate in its build. Thanks to the standard 180-horsepower Lycoming engine, the Sportsman can reach nearly 160 mph while burning just nine gph. If you opt for the 210-horsepower engine, speeds of 172 mph are possible. Better yet, the Sportsman is capable of this performance while carrying you, a friend, your golf clubs, fishing rods and reels, scuba gear—you name it. It can tote more than 300 pounds of gear, even with two pilots and full fuel.

If you’re accustomed to conventional tail-wheeled planes, note that the Sportsman is tough yet easy: it can take off and land with good forward visibility in the three-point attitude. Thanks to 26-inch tundra tires, it has about 21 inches of prop clearance, so rugged landing strips shouldn’t be a concern. Water landings and takeoffs are also smooth. The Sportsman is a kit plane, offered through the company’s “Two Weeks to Taxi” program, which lets you work alongside factory craftsmen to build your Sportsman at the company’s headquarters in Arlington, Washington. There, you’ll also learn more about your plane’s components and operation and get the chance to take it for its first test taxi. Pricing from $162,902, depending on options. glasairaviation.com. —Diane M. Byrne

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Hovercrafts, Yachts and Cigars

Future Perfect – Forget private planes and get a flying hovercraft instead. Better yet, build your own. Universal Hovercraft offers build kits for its 18SPW, a “hoverwing” that allows you to stay suspended a few inches above the ground or water or take the high road and glide 10 feet above it all. The company says the components take 250 to 275 hours to assemble, but the time investment is rewarded once you’re in hovercraft mode. The 18SPW, measuring 18 feet, can take you and five friends shooting over land or water at a top speed of 75 mph, all while eight inches above the surface. When you add the wings and related accessories— which the company says takes 20 minutes to assemble and adds five feet to the length—you can rise above sand dunes, rocks, and whatever else gets in your way. You can also enjoy 180-degree turns and a 55- to 60-mph minimum flying speed. Landing involves gradually slowing down, leveling the wings, and gently lowering onto land or sea. (Note: only two to three people can fit inside in flight mode, due to the need to rearrange interior components.) A joystick operates the rudders, elevator, and throttle. A quiet four-blade lift fan provides air to the bag skirt, which raises and lowers the hovercraft. Kits range from $5,200 (no engine) to $28,000 (partially built for you with an engine). hovercraft.com.

Yacht Watch – Some yachts can go boldly where others can’t. That’s the case with Arieto Primo, a ruggedly handsome 145- footer that was originally built as a tugboat and then converted over two years into a luxury cruiser. Step inside and you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time: wood paneling envelops every room, lending charming warmth to the salon and the staterooms. There’s also a spa featuring aromatherapy, as well as a Turkish bath. The yacht is available for charter in Greece, Turkey, and Croatia this summer; $150,000 during low-season periods and $163,500 for high-season periods. 011-41-91 690 0065. floatinglife.ch.

The Envy Liney Humidors - A collection of humidors with Hunters and Frankau cigars. the details: Designs include a Cuban flag, Partagas cigar factory, and the London skyline. $7,900-$44,000, davidlinleyfurniture.com.

—By Diane M. Byrne

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Globe-Trotter Luggage

Luxury British luggage designer Globe-Trotter recently teamed up with fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu to bring his latest print, “Sendai,” to the company’s chic Centenary edition of luggage, including the 13-inch, hand-crafted vanity case in new “taxi cab” yellow (shown here) with black leather detail. The case is very lightweight and durable thanks to a patented material called Vulcan Fibre that dates back to the 1850s. Inside, the case is lined in fine silk twill for a stylish and stark effect with the modern floral Japanese inspired design in black and white tones. There is also a leather framed mirror,a removable tray, and a combination lock. Centenary vanity case, $690, globetrotterltd.com.

—By Melissa Boudreau

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Venturi Flame Fire Tables

We can’t think of anything more relaxing than lounging outside on a penthouse deck overlooking the ocean in the early evening with a beverage and good company. But more often than not, building codes prohibit the use of firepits unless you live on the ground level. Fortunately, the designers at the Outdoor Greatroom Company have a solution: the Venturi Flame, a distinctive spinning flame lodged in portable fire pit tables. It runs on non-toxic, clean-burning gel biofuel and gas. The technology uses a turbo disc combined with a glass cylinder resulting in a unique twisting flame. Now, the only question is, where are the marshmallows? 866-303-4028, outdoorrooms.com.

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America’s Cup Hall of Famer, Tom Whidden, Settles in Essex, Conneticut

You would think that the man who is co-owner of North Marine Group (the $325-million sail manufacturing company for nearly every racing and high-end yacht on the planet) and has sailed in eight America’s Cups would chose a home right on the ocean’s edge. But not Tom Whidden. For 22 years, he and his family have lived on waterfront property in Connecticut with a dock that leads to a small, peaceful estuary. As a fierce competitor who has been inducted to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, Whidden chose to set up camp away from the hectic activity of his ocean life, though he keeps a motorboat docked nearby for a quick ride out to saltier stomping grounds.

—By, Nicole Vecchiarelli

You’ve had this home for 22 years. You’re obviously very attached. I grew up in Westport and I always admired Essex, being a sailor and someone who loves the
water and boating. The town reminded me of Westport in that there were fewer people as well as access to the waterfront. Just a quieter way of life in general.

How would you describe the setting? There’s a natural channel where we are, so it’s not noisy, but its fantastic for wildlife. There’s every kind of bird known to man; we get eagles, ospreys, all kinds of hawks, swans, geese, every duck. It’s just amazing for anybody that likes bird life.

Being a sailor, would you have preferred to have the home directly on the ocean? I just like the water, so I love to be on the ocean or a river or an estuary. Some people may find endless water more tranquil and more desirable. But I find living in an area that is less ocean-like is more interesting. I like the activity of the wildlife with the ducks swimming around and the muskrats and the turtles. And I have easy access to the Connecticut River, The Long Island Sound, and the ocean.

How often do you take advantage of that? We keep a boat called an Edgewater
26 at the dock that’s right at our house. And we also have a 55-foot powerboat with a couple of state rooms in it and a nice galley—it’s just a really great boat to get around in. Some people think that it’s ironic that I have a powerboat with all the sailing I do, but it actually suits us really well. We can be on the water quickly and take a little cruise around with a glass of wine and a fishing pole, or go way down to the yacht club. Or we’ll take the bigger boat to a cove that’s quite near here to have dinner and listen to music. We also have kayaks and a canoe. So I’m not short on boats—we can
go anywhere we want. And we have a lot of friends that like to cruise around, too.
Like this weekend, we’re going to Newport, which is about a three-hour trip on
our power boat.

How you would describe the feel of the house itself? The whole place was built around giving every room a view of the water. It’s very open, and we’ve got a terrace in the back that we use a lot. And what’s cool is that every month here has a different look. In the winter, the cove ices over, so it doesn’t have the vegetation like in the summer, obviously, but it’s a really bright sunlit look and it’s quite charming. You never tire of it.

THE DETAILS

Whidden purchased this home in 1988. It features four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, 2,600 square feet of living space, and sits on one acre of land in a quiet channel with direct access to the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.

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Essential Treasures- Bathrobes to Binoculars

Fiber Arts Hand loomed 1200 grams of pure luxurious organic cotton in the “Anastasia” towels
make a beautiful addition to the most wonderful homes. You’ll enjoy these over-sized, plush towels with a great feel and look, from the wash cloths to bath mats. Find these Indika towels along with other organic and bamboo linens at www.goodfibers.com and save 10% with code OHMJ2010. Good Fibers, 541.206.9515, www.goodfibers.com

Seaside Collections Give your guests an elegant and earth-friendly gift – an engraved, keepsake bottle to save sand and shells from their time on your beach! Use them for place card holders or centerpieces at your next party! Or, collect your own treasures to remember the special times! All bottles are recycled and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Seaside Collections, www.seasidecollections.com

Art by the Sea Original acrylic and oil paintings on canvas or commissioned – place your loved ones by the sea. Art by Janel, 617.901.1852, www.artbyjanel.com

Truly Unique Cottage Coastal Store, Inc. is celebrating five years of providing cottage coastal
lifestyle home furnishings, décor, frames and specialty gift items. We hand pick quality items and purchase directly from the artisans who produce them whenever possible. We look forward to having you
stop by our online shop. Shown here “Fish” from the Pool Collection. www.cottagecoastalstore.com

Designer Robes Tisseron Bathrobes offers colors, weights from tropical to plush, unmatched anywhere in the world. This elegant designer collection of luxury organic cotton terry for women and men is too beautiful to wear just indoors, but outside too… on your boat, pool side, at the cottage, wherever! The perfect gift for any occasion, the ultimate comfort accessory, available only at the online boutique . 1.877.589.7623, www.tisseronbathrobes.com

Ocean Voyeur Discover what amateur astronomers have known for years—OBERWERK binoculars
provide stunning clarity and sharpness, at surprisingly affordable prices. There are 30 models available, from smaller binoculars for bird-watching and sporting events, to giant tripod-mounted, long-range observation binoculars for the homeowner with a view. For a free catalog call toll-free or visit our online store. 866.244.2460, www.bigbinoculars.com

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Cottage Coastal Store

Cottage Coastal Store, Inc. is dedicated to bringing high quality home décor at a fair value with merchandise that is unique, well crafted, and thoughtfully sourced. Cottage caters to folks who love the beach and sea as much as they do. Established in November 2005, they are celebrating five years in providing beach and coastal lifestyle home furnishings, décor, frames, accessories and specialty gift items.  Cottage hand picks quality items and purchases directly from the people who produce them whenever possible. Cottage is also very concerned about preserving and improving the environment. They are always looking to source items that are made of re-cycled materials.

http://www.cottagecoastalstore.com

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Mandarina Duck’s Drop Trolley

Many airlines are now charging to check your luggage these days. Read more

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Under Cover

Worship the sun, but don’t forget to protect yourself from it, too.

We all enjoy spending time under the soothing rays of a blue-sky day. But even the most devoted sun bathers out there need a little time in the shade once in a while. These deck umbrellas will protect you and your loved ones in style.

1. Tuuci Razor, $1,350, tuuci.com.

2. Treasure Garden AKZ13, $1,700, treasuregarden.com.

3. Tropitone Venice Teak, $2,300, tropitone.com. 

4. Wandatech Portofino Sing 2U, $2,400, wandatech.com.

5. Wandatech Milano Pro 1010, $2,300, wandatech.com.

6. Palm Springs Rattan 11-foot Cantilever, $1,600, palmspringsrattan.com.

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Art by the Sea

New England artist Janel Eleftherakis grew up by the sea in Miami, Florida but has lived in New England for the past twenty-five years.  Her heart remains in both places and that is reflected in her unique paintings in both oil and acrylic. Often hung with or without a frame, Janel’s canvases typically have deep painted sides and many of them actually originate from photos taken by her 15 year old daughter, Jenny.  “My daughter has a unique eye and knows what I am looking for through the lens of her camera”. Children are the subject of her popular series ‘Happy Feet’, where clients commission Janel to capture their children’s feet for nurseries and playrooms. Read more

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Outer Banks Trading Group

Elegant beach home furnishings and a coastal artist gallery. Read more

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The QuickGym ROM Machine

Special Promotion

A complete workout in just 4 minutes a day, the QuickGym is for those select few who seek life’s peak experiences. It provides a unique workout that is intense, invigorating, and silky smooth. It guides your body through compound isokinetic movements that involve every major muscle group in the upper and lower body. For muscle development, cardio conditioning, and flexibility.

$14,615
Call 818-504-6450 or order online
www.quickgym.com

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Just The Ticket

Going to the movies is a long-standing American tradition; from family film nights to first dates, virtually everyone has gone to see at least a flick or two in their lifetime. And now, thanks to modern, state-of-the-art digital technology and visionary interior artists, the popularity of custom home theaters has transformed this beloved pastime into one of opulent luxury. Though there are many home theater installation and design companies available, we recommend the one that offers an all-inclusive service from start to finish: First Impressions Theme Theatres. Read more

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Vi-Spring Mattresses

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Interview with: Terence Bachor of Vi-Spring

Tell us a little about Vi-Spring and how it differs from other mattresses?
Vi-Spring was established in 1901 as the first pocketed coil bed manufacturer and has similarities to other British and European manufacturers, even though we are considered the best, however differs immensely from North American products.
1.    We only use natural fibres like Wool, Cotton, Cashmere, Silk, Mohair, Horse Hair etc. North American manufactures use foam, polyesters and other synthetics. These are known to give off off-gases, and are typically loaded with chemicals that can cause many problems. Even the companies that claim green are just using buzz words, but rarely if ever the product is truly green and natural. One example is the big hype around Soya foam. There is less than 15% actual Soya oil the balance is petroleum oil the same as all the other foam. This is very common to their other claims of natural fibres like silk etc.
2.    Our beds are designed to breathe and stay healthy inside, controlling mould and mildew growth, and reducing or eliminating dust mites. Dust mites need a warm moist environment and our beds stay cool and dry inside. The dust mites won’t hurt you but the major amount of faeces and gases from the faeces can hurt people with sensitivities. This and dead skin are the two top reasons why North American mattresses can double in weight over 10 years. Other manufactures promote foam encasement etc and this does not breath, let alone the fact we lose a cup of moisture each night which is sucked up by the foams and turns into mould and mildew. People spend thousands of dollars getting the mould out of their walls because of the heath risk, then turn around and sleep on it night after night.
3.    Our beds support the user with our high grade vanadium steel coils, where most manufactures use the foam as their support system. If they want a firm or posturized bed they adjust the density of the foam used. Foam starts breaking down day one from manufacturing, it is no different then leaving a bowl of gas out on a table and it evaporates quickly. This is why North American beds do not last long or stay comfortable long.
4.    Our beds are truly handmade, giving our beds strength, durability and longevity. We back this up with a real lifetime warranty, unlike the 5 or 10 years or the fake 25 year prorated offerings.

What are some of the benefits of Vi-Spring natural mattresses over synthetic versions?
See above

Can you explain the concept of a “Life-Changing” bed to our readers?
Life-Changing is our slogan and our goal for every purchaser. We are selling a life style not just a mattress. Our beds stay clean and healthy inside, without chemical or cancer causing materials. The product is perfect for people with asthma or other breathing problems. Our product supports your body properly, we use the coils to support you not foam. Not only do we manufacture our own coils and use the best possible steel, but we use a high coil count, a variety of steel gauges and a nested coil system so that every inch of your body is properly supported, regardless of your build. The better alignment of your spine and less stress on your spine gives you a better sleep; this is why so many athletes use our product to help them fight the aches and pains. Then we add the most sumptuous layers of filling in the industry, giving you a comfort you have never experienced with a North American mattress. Most people, when they buy their first Vi-Spring, truly find it life changing. They wake-up fresher, cleaner feeling and with less or no body aches. In our fast pace world sleep is at a premium for most and getting the best possible sleep is so very important.

Can you give us a brief difference of ranges in the Collection?
We believe we have a model for every budget. We start under $3,000 and go to about $35,000 of a fully decked out king. I know many would say they cannot afford $3,000 we would say you cannot afford not to. Our beds are guaranteed for life and most people now a days replace a $500 to $1000 mattresses every 5 years or so, because they breakdown and get uncomfortable so quickly.  The math is easy on which bed is less money even if you only look at a 20 year life span.
We have 7 beds in the North American collection at a variety of prices and comfort levels. Every unit can be purchased from existing inventory for quick delivery or custom made from a huge selection of fabrics, or variations to the model. Custom models take only 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

Like a bespoke men’s suit, can Vi-Spring mattresses be custom ordered?
You can truly get a one of a kind mattress from Vi-Spring. Right from the model, to the coil selection, just for you, to the fills, to the 50 plus fabrics for the outside. We can custom size and even alter the layout of the bed. Cut corners, curved tops, etc. You can even buy them so you can zip multiple units together, so you can have a big bed in a room that you can not normally get to with a big bed, or even different support on each side of the bed. We understand everyone is different and we understand there is often two people sharing a bed, and they are different. We make each bed for each customer and his or her needs.

Where and how can Ocean Home readers obtain a Vi-Spring mattress?
We just released Vi-Spring in North American in November 2009. We are working diligently at setting up partnerships with fine proprietors across the country. We have stores right across Canada and one in Chicago. We are hoping to have the rest of the country setup this year. In the interim we are offering added discounts to those that are willing to travel a little to test the product and we can direct ship anywhere.

http://www.vispring.com/

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Select Exotics and the Elite Savannah

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Established by hybrid pioneers Dale Hummel, Professor of Animal Science, and his family in 1988 when the Bengal breed was still in its infancy, Select Exotics has grown into a state-of-the-art cattery. Read more

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A Fish Out of Water

A Southern California artist turns ocean scenes into memorable one-of-a-kind murals. By Scott Kauffman Read more

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Fariest of Them All

Sizing up the best mirrors for your ocean home.  Read more

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Get Packing

Packing is the beginning of any traveling plan. Whether you’re a light packer or a bag stuffer, these suitcases will have you flying in style. Read more

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Leaders of the Pack

Duffel bags are as much a part of yachting tradition as bronze hardware and teak decks. Read more

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