Custom Driftwood and Nautical Lamps by Virginia Artist Norris Padgett

Custom driftwood lamp made by Virginia artist Norris Padgett.

A recent issue of Coastal Living Magazine featured “Our Favorite Modern Interiors- Stunning Contemporary Spaces by the Sea". The article titled “Blue Crush” written by Gena Sigala and photographed by Dominique Vorillon included as a centerpiece in this living room a custom driftwood table base with oval glass top (artist unknown). This exceptional table reminded me of the driftwood sculpture custom lamps created by Norris Padgett, a Virginia artist that we represent in our gallery, so I thought this to be the perfect time to feature a few of his creations on our blog.

Norris Padgett’s inspiration for his driftwood and other coastal creations typically begins while beach-combing after a storm on his waterfront property located on the York River near historic Yorktown, Virginia. He enjoys his private time walking along the riverfront searching and collecting everything from seashells to large pieces of driftwood that have washed ashore and left behind as the storm surge declines. Then his artistic eye takes over and the sculptured creation begins. Great pieces of tree stumps and other segments of driftwood are inspected and brought back to his workshop where he carefully cuts and shapes them into abstract sculptured forms. Finishes are applied and the lamps are assembled- some with the addition of nesting shore bird decoys, shells and other beach finds perched on small flats or inside of crevices in the wood. According to Norris, even the wood bases are made from beach-combed pieces of thick pine, possibly once a tread from an old dock or other structure destroyed during past inclement weather.

Each of Norris’ lamp sculptures is a one of a kind and I am always amazed when he brings by one of his latest creations. These driftwood sculptured lamps will be a perfect addition to your coastal cottage and home interiors.

A high quality product for nautical/coastal living.

Click on link here to see our selection of Norris Padgett Custom Lamps.  Norris Padgett Custom Lamps.

Click here to go to Skipjack's Nautical Living home page.
Smooth Sailing,

Joe Elder

Dress Up Your Nautical Interiors With a Nautical Chart Lampshade

Looking for an easy way to dress up and personalize your coastal/nautical interiors? Well here’s a style secret used by designers to create local interest to the finely-fitted nautical room. Replace your old lampshades with a custom-made nautical chart lampshade using a navigational chart from your local or favorite coastline. You can select from 1,000-plus U.S. coastal and Great Lakes nautical charts created and updated by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). Nautical chart lampshade not only create a great look to your room, but also becomes a point of conversation as you study the lighted charts, similar to viewing a terrestrial globe! Visit the NOAA site by clicking on this link to find the right nautical chart for your local waters. http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html

Skipjack offers custom nautical lampshades constructed in our own design center located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA. We use only the highest quality materials including authentic NOAA navigational charts. Each shade is trimmed with a muslin-colored grosgrain ribbon and features a washer top for attachment to any standard lamp. We can duplicate the size of your existing lamp with the only limitation being the size of the navigational chart. Visit our website by clicking on this link for additional information and costs of producing your custom nautical chart lampshade. We also produce a nautical chart nightlight and offer a great selection of brass and hand-made nautical lamp finials to adorn your favorite lamps.  http://www.skipjackmarinegallery.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SNWMG&Category_Code=LS

Click here to go to Skipjack's Nautical Living home page.