Make the Magic of Summer Last with These Whimsical Watercolor Wares—and a Giveaway!

Text by Elizabeth Czapski

As the sun-soaked, carefree days of summer start to fade in anticipation of incoming fall and all the activities and occasions that come with it, we’re entering a bittersweet season of transition. While we welcome the brisk breezes of autumn, along with its reputation for all things cozy, there’s a certain enchantment to summer that’s hard to let go of when the time comes. But who says you have to? We chatted with watercolor artist Sara Fitzgerald O’Brien, featured earlier this year in our Spring issue, about how she holds on to the magic of quintessentially enchanting New England summers—the muse behind her playful depictions of the region’s iconic motifs that grace her growing inventory of paper and home goods—all year long. And you can too—just take a look at her tips below and enter to win a $250 e-gift card for the chance to fill your own cottage with her distinctive creations that span classic paper products to offerings like framed prints, wallpaper, textiles, and more!

The Cottage Journal: Your work and brand really capture the magic of a Nantucket summer. How do you make that magic last throughout the year in a way that doesn’t feel out of place?

Sara Fitzgerald O’Brien: Nantucket is a very meaningful spot for me and my family. It’s where my husband and I summered each year of our childhoods and where we met, fell in love, were engaged, and married. We continue to share what we most adore about the island while raising our boys in our Maine house.

By incorporating family heirloom pieces (like our long farmhouse dining table that lived in my husband’s family home for decades), displaying meaningful collections that pay homage to Nantucket (lighthouse baskets and sailor’s valentines), and highlighting a soft palette in the quintessential island color (here and there throughout the house, we have hints of our favorite red), we’ve created a timeless nod to one of our most beloved places. I embraced the aesthetic of Nantucket from a young age, and its relaxed, coastal charm has inspired my illustration and design work ever since.

TCJ: What aspects of summer do you try to hold onto all year? What aspects of summer provide evergreen inspiration in your work?

SFO: When I think of summer, I think of shingled cottages, ocean breezes, and crisp foggy mornings. I think of aged buoys, fresh flowers, and dripping ice cream cones (yes please!). It’s the time of year to go barefoot, take walks on the docks, and roast marshmallows on the beach. I’m reminded of oversized sweatshirts, sandy hair, and outdoor showers (the best!). But no matter the season, enjoying such simple pleasures can become a lifestyle. My work celebrates the slowing-down—the often-unnoticed beauty around us.

TCJ: What are some of your favorite ways to style your home in this transitional season between the heart of summer and the start of fall?

SFO: We consider ourselves incredibly blessed to live by the beach in a small, very picturesque Maine town. During the summer months, we keep our home décor pretty simple with open windows, lots of cut hydrangeas, and salty towels drying on deck railings. Our boys and friends are in and out—the same goes for our pup, Murray!

As the summer winds down and the nights get cooler, I find myself pulling out more and more cozy layers—old quilts and chenille bedspreads—displaying extra books and pillows for cuddled up reading time, and using our lamps a bit more often for that soft, warm light.   

TCJ: Do you have any new products coming out to help ease or enliven this back-to-routines season?

SFO: As Sara Fitz has evolved and grown, we release a wider variety of products more often and on larger scales. We have a few drops planned for late summer/early fall that I’m just thrilled about! Some are for the home (including our heftiest launch of wallpaper to date), some are apparel based (a category we’ve so enjoyed exploring this year!), and some are in our stationery line (our very first Harvest paper collection for both retail and wholesale). Whether you’re someone who mourns the end of summer or welcomes the start of fall (guilty, lol!), we hope Sara Fitz goodies feel like a big hug from a dear friend!