I am so happy you found my Coastal Cottage fabrics and wallpaper. A life inspired by the rich color palettes of the coast of Connecticut and raising my family on the beaches of New Jersey led to their creation. While classic motifs have inspired my collections, I've added a bit of fun for today's family.
In addition to art in college, I studied interior design and worked in the field until my portraits took off. While my children were young I painted murals in homes and children's portraits. My company began in 1996 and I have art prints also across the country. Some of my art has been in national shows, and one piece hangs in a very special place at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge Massachusettes. I love to collaborate to help designers and homeowners create spaces that are unique and stand apart.
As a mother of 8 and grandmother to 4, I know how important a peaceful and warm space for family and friends to spend time together is. The home is where the making of a family happens in the rhythm of each day. I designed these patterns to help create the space for families to write their stories.
While they may not remember the paper (you will), they will remember how the home made them feel.
That's the goal. A home with memories they won't forget.
Beautiful, classic, and fun.
Melissa Dayton
Art and Design
Manasquan, New Jersey
Welcome!
My inspiration is beauty in nature, people, and places. My childhood was spent on the water in New England. There was beauty all around, in the marshes, the birds, the breezes. When we sailed the wind filling the sail always fascinated me, even the soft wind and the big billowy spinnaker sail. As a small child, I can remember standing at the back sliding door watching the sun over the marsh. It was magical.
As an adult, I am fortunate enough to live at the beach, but the ocean, so it's very different but still captivating. The sand is fine, not rocky. The shells are whiter, the water has more movement. Our birds are sometimes different too. I have been blessed to raise my family in this place. The streets are lined with sycamore trees and old shingle-style homes. Our town is an iconic shore town with a main street, people walking, and bikes. People come to our towns for rest and rejuvenation, it is a special place.
Every day offers an opportunity for inspiration. It's all around us. I believe that beauty leads us to all that is good and true, and as an artist, I can help to bring some of that beauty into homes. Now that I am older and have done so many things in life. I know life can be hard and full of commitments. A home should be a place of peace and rest, but also joy and fun. When we create spaces for others, we want families to have spaces that are the backdrop to their memories. I'm honored to help you create that space for your clients and yourself.
Melissa Dayton lives at the beach in New Jersey. She understands the importance of creating a home with lasting memories. She is the mother of 8 children and 3 grandchildren.
Melissa has been selling her art online since 1996. She has a degree in Art and Design and originally intended to pursue interior design. Life took a turn and she spent many years painting commissioned portraits of children and painting murals in homes. Her work was in a Gift For Grandkids catalog with an amazing 350 portraits painted in a year and a half. She has painted several book covers as well.
In 2012 she founded a nonprofit in her community that went viral and led her to speak in high schools nationwide. She and her husband then helped their community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and they distributed over $100,000 in relief money from The Robin Hood Foundation. In 2013 she received master's degree in Theology and Ministry and taught for several years overseeing a service-learning program for a large high school.
Melissa has now returned to art full-time designing for families to create homes that will leave lasting impacts and memories.
