Style Key West

We've Moved!

2013-03-16T11:21:00.000-04:00

The new site is up and running. So is the online shop! AND a new blog!

Check it all out HERE.

I won't be updating ye old blogspot anymore - so make sure to update the feed in your reader: http://www.stylekeywestblog.com/

A New Site and Some New Items!

2011-03-31T23:07:00.000-04:00

Did you link here from stylekeywest.com today?

Well if you did, you will have seen that we have a new site coming soon! In fact, it should be live by April 8th.

The new site will include an online store, so anyone can visit us and do a little shopping, whether they're in Key West or Alaska. We're so excited about this new venture and we hope that you'll love our Key West inspired products as much as we do.

Here is a preview of what you'll find...

...And here are a few close up shots of some new pillows and mats we've started carrying in the shop (which you will also be able to purchase online):

I probably won't have time to post until the online shop is up and running. In the meantime...have a great weekend. Can't wait for the unveiling next week!

Plümo Home Accents

2011-03-30T06:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday on Wishing True, I featured, Plümo, a lovely site I discovered on An Indian Summer.

As I said before, there isn't much detail about the company on the Plümo site. But it says that they procure all of their products from "artisans, co-operatives from Africa to Asia, designers that have just come out of college and any kind of creative people that just make beautiful things."

The first thing that grabbed my attention while browsing the House & Home items was the abundance of bright colors and bold motifs:

Having a cheerful green teapot on the stove top or placing colorful jars on a bookcase or putting your feet up on a fancy pouf...these are all things that make a house feel like home. Whenever I've moved into a new place, I've arranged some of my favorite objects before even unpacking most of the boxes. Just having one lovely corner to come back to is far more satisfying than a cabinet full of organized pots and pans.

(Okay - so that light isn't colorful...but isn't it fun?!)

See more HERE. And if you haven't already visited, check out my Wishing True post for my favorite Plümo fashions.

A Fresh Spring Look from Lee

2011-03-29T14:36:00.003-04:00

Have you seen the new Lee ad that ran in the April issue of House Beautiful?

Love that green! It reminds me of the new shoots that are sprouting everywhere, announcing the end of Winter. While it's never Winter in Key West, I live in the DC area, and we're SO ready for some warm sunny days!

From what part of the world are you visiting? Are you waving goodbye to snow and ice?

Monday Color: Red and Blue

2011-03-28T12:57:00.004-04:00

Today, I'm thinking about blue and red palettes...

...So much so, that I did a Blogging Your Way "mood board" project with that theme:

I had to throw it together in about five minutes with kids running around so it's not perfect. But I think it captures what I was going for well enough.

The class ended today and I can't tell you how much I recommend taking it when they run it again in the future. It's given me so much inspiration for the new Style Key West website and online store. That's right - we're FINALLY getting that shop up and running. More on that later...

Images via: A Creative Mint (one of the BYW instructors!), Country Living, House and Home and The Paris Apartment.

How To Paint a Refrigerator

2011-03-24T15:30:00.004-04:00

Seriously. You can, and Caroline has directions and pictures to prove it! Check it out...

A client had a little refrigerator with the pretty standard, ugly wood grain paneled front. Not something that you would particularly like to showcase... I didn't take "before" pictures - but I think you can envision what I'm talking about.

Here is the finished product:

Want to know how to do this? Here you go...

Materials:
1 Quart of Stix primer
1 Quart of Benjamin Moore Ocean Deep
1 Custom spray can of Ocean Deep
Stencil
Acrylic paint
Acrylic sealer

Directions:
1. Clean the fridge and apply one coat of Stix.

2. Lightly sand all surfaces to be painted.

3. Begin to spray on color.
[Since this was not over-the-counter spray paint, each coat has to be sprayed very lightly and horizontally on each side. It will run if you try to spray it on a vertical surface. The number of coats required will depend on the paint color you choose and how dark the surface is.]

4. When paint job is completely dry, paint on an acrylic stencil of your choice.

The stencil and colors were chosen based on inspiration from this Mucha print.

I have an old Arts & Crafts Stencil book from 1925 where I found the perfect stencil. I blew it up on our copier and cut it. The actual image on the front of the fridge is four panels, and the vines in the middle are four "branches." The color of the stenciled image is just a mix of red, cream, and gray acrylic paint that I mixed to the desired shade.

A nice little face lift for a "dorm room" refrigerator. Perfect for chilled beverages and snacks in an office or craft room!

**Thanks to Meaghan at Strunk Ace Hardware who told me everything I would need to paint the refrigerator.

Monday (Pop of) Color

2011-03-21T15:21:00.003-04:00

After adding black and white to the mix last week, I've been giving more attention to the "pop of color" effect in some of my favorite images on file.

I generally gravitate toward more color - painted walls and furniture covered in richly hued prints... But lately I've been admiring these spaces with their spare elegance. The lack of competing colors and patterns creates a very serene atmosphere. And the dash of color here and there brings warmth and personality that satisfies my typically color-craving tendencies.

What about you? Would you consider trying a new approach to color in your own home. Maybe just room...we don't need to go crazy here!

Images via: An Indian Summer, Christina Murphy Interiors, Design Sponge, Martha Stewart, and Tracery Interiors.

Making Arrangements

2011-03-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

There is nothing I love more (I know - I say that a lot, but it's always true at the time) than setting up little arrangements.

Everyone calls it "styling" spaces now - but I always thought of it as making "arrangements." Kind of like floral arrangements - but instead of flowers in vases, it would be stuff on tables.

This came to an end when my oldest son started walking and everything on reachable surface areas became fair game for manhandling. But five years and two siblings later, there seems to be a lot less interest in my personal trinkets and knickknacks.

It may be time to start making arrangements again... But now that I blog, I want to take pictures - and my trusty old point and shoot is more of a "say cheese" kind of camera... Time to start saving pennies for my new career in blogging about my home "styling." Any advice on affordable cameras for novices?

Images via: Absolutely Beautiful Things, House and Home, Habitually Chic, Lonny, Kishani Perera (see I told you there was some gorgeous stuff there too!) and Southern Living

Beautiful Bugs

2011-03-16T14:10:00.004-04:00

Do you scream when you see a beetle skitter across the floor? Or do you calmly get a tissue and promptly dispose of the intruder?

Do you ever look at the bug? Appreciate its natural design? Color? shape? Texture?

I'd say that most of us would answer "no" to those last three.

I myself tend to get a tissue and use it to set the little creature "free" outside (weather and temperature notwithstanding - I'm not THAT much of a bug lover).

But how can you look at something like this and not see beauty?

Everyone has seem some version of what Christopher Marley does in his Pheromone designs. I remember visiting a Palm Springs home with my grandmother, and marveling at the framed displays of blue butterflies in the living room.

But those were butterflies. Butterflies are the pretty princesses of the bug world (at least as far as humans are concerned).

Marley, himself admits to a prior abhorrence of insects - something that only changed when he looked at them "from the perspective of a designer." They represented perfect examples of all that he admired in forms with "purpose and sleek utilization."

And by looking deeper, he found more to admire. This new perspective put beetles and their peers in a new light for the artist. And he wanted to recreate this feeling for observers of his work.

To accomplish this effect, he moved his subjects out of their natural and expected environment and into a blank page context. One where they could be viewed objectively as creatures of interest, wonder, and yes - beauty.

A glance at these works evokes the perception of colors and patterns which are as organized and purposeful as the life of each insect on display.

Does this change your own perspective of bugs? Just a little? Maybe it's just some food for thought... Regardless of personal experience there is no question of the impact that Marley's pieces have upon the viewer.

See more of his work, which includes far more than just bugs HERE.

P.S. We vote for pretty! But I'm still tissue-removing bugs from my house as usual.

Monday Color: The "Un-Color" Scheme

2011-03-14T15:45:00.007-04:00

I've never found myself drawn to the use of black and white in decor.

In theory it sounds cold, lifeless and possibly even a little depressing. But lately, I've been finding images that have the opposite effect for me...

Black and white textiles make a bold statement in any room. They're almost like a pop of un-color. And black and white spaces with a single accent color are unquestionably sophisticated.

I don't think I'd ever be happy living in a purely black and white environment, but using elements of this un-color pairing could definitely create some interesting depth and drama.

Images via: Country Living, Diane Bergeron, High Gloss, House of Turquoise and Lonny

Blue as a Neutral

2011-03-11T00:10:00.001-05:00

As you may have noticed - neutral colors aren't typically our thing.

But as we all know, it's a very popular trend right now and many of our customers are taking that direction in their own homes.

So we came up with a compromise: pale blue as a neutral.

And we actually rather like it. It isn't a complete departure from our own style and the use of blue offers a great compromise for couples with different preferences.

So often, couples come into the shop with contradictory requests. One wants comfortable and warm and the other wants clean and unfussy.

Blue is cool and works well with both beige and gray tones. But it is a color and with the right accents, can bring some character and depth to an otherwise monochromatic look.

Even a single client wielding a Fall/Winter copy of the Restoration Hardware catalog would probably appreciate the sweet little scene above.

What do you think? Do you think pale blues, yellows and pinks can be used as alternative neutrals?

When Bad Things Happen to Good Rooms: The Tree

2011-03-09T23:24:00.002-05:00

Whenever I see a picture of a room I like, I immediately look up the designer and check out their portfolio. And just like anyone else, I love some of it, appreciate some of it and don't care for the some of it. But I rarely find myself so confused that I have to check the url address several times to make sure that I didn't accidentally click over to a Wiccan decor site....

Um...what?!

Now - why would anyone go and do that to a perfectly lovely living space?

The furniture looks so welcoming. I want to curl up on that sofa with a book and a steaming mug of tea. Or sit around with some friends and a good bottle of wine. The colors are a tad more neutral than I prefer, but that actually adds to the feeling of serenity this quiet corner of a room has to offer.

The tree though... It's is a game changer. I looks like it might uproot and walk across the room. Or maybe a little gnome will scramble out of a hidden door to shake his fist and demand that you turn down the music.

I wonder if it holds some personal significance for the owner. Some sentimental value?

Do they add a new "charm" to the tree with every big trip or event?

Does the tree have a name?

And if they celebrate Christmas, do they even bother dragging in an evergreen? Seems like they could just drape some garlands and call it a day.

My questions about that tree are endless. But I will in fact end with this disclaimer:

I wholeheartedly believe in staying true to your own decor aesthetic and not giving a flying WTF about what anyone else has to say about it. Including me. If you want to fly your freak flag high, then I salute you...as I sputter incredulously over the bat sh*t crazy tree growing out of your living room floor. And yes - you are more than welcome to come over to my place and laugh at the little old lady nicknack collections I love so much. To each his own, my friend...to each his own.

Image via Kishani Perera where wonderfully creative talent reigns and inexplicable weirdness only makes this single appearance.

Darling Monkey Chair

2011-03-09T12:00:00.004-05:00

We spotted this adorable little chair in Shelter Interior Design's portfolio recently and had to share:

Forget the nursery - we'd put that in the living room. Kids need a place to sit too! Oh - okay, it could be nursery furniture until the kids grew up. Then we could move it to the living room and call it a "family heirloom."

It's not like the chair is actually child size anyway... But THAT would be even better!

A Visit From Lee Industries

2011-03-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

Last week our friends from Lee Industries posted some FaceBook pictures they took of the shop when they were here in Key West.

It was great to see them. We really do love to have visitors. That would include you of course. Please do drop by if you're ever in the area!

Monday Color: Due for Some Blue

2011-03-07T16:20:00.005-05:00

When I first thought of doing color inspired posts, it was because I was finding so many blue and white decor images that I loved.

But I have of yet to do a post any blue rooms!

I think we're due...

Feeling blue never refers to a bad mood where I'm concerned.

Images via: A Tranquil Townhouse, Sara Gilbane Interiors, The Selby, Traditional Home and Veranda

Frameable Fabrics

2011-03-04T14:20:00.005-05:00

I think I may have mentioned how much I love fabrics here... Once or twice?

Anyway - I never tire of browsing through swatches or scrolling through online galleries and today I was doing just that at Clarence House.

I've often considered framing a favorite textile - but that would require procuring a remnant... So for the time being, I keep a mental list of the ones I want.

Any one of these from Clarence House would be super:

(very Key West)

(this one would be fun for a nursery - very unique and colorful!)

One great thing about blogging: you basically have a virtual idea catalog to reference. What was that cute Clarence House fabric with the birds...? Just search the blog and there it is!

And on that note, I'm off to the bus top to retrieve one of the three reasons I rarely get around to such projects... Have a great weekend!

One Small Change: New Towels

2011-03-03T09:28:00.000-05:00

After all of that work we put into our bathroom redo, I still felt like something was missing. Everything looked fresh and new and luxurious, but something was still off.

Then the other day, as I was looking at this shop display...

...it came to me! We needed new towels.

Okay - this may not be a life changing epiphany. But it's a bathroom changing one.

Previously, we had a very nice set of crisp white towels that theoretically work in any bath.

But by adding a little color...a sea glass shade of blue to be exact...my pretty new bathroom received yet another upgrade.

It's amazing what a big difference such a small change can make.

Feeling a little blah about one of your rooms? Think about updating your couch or bed with some colorful new pillows or throws. Revitalize your kitchen with bright curtains and dish towels. And yes - pretty linens can give a bathroom an unexpected face lift.

Little things really do make a difference.

First Thursday Tomorrow!

2011-03-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is the Caroline Street Art & Design District First Thursday and we're excited to feature new items from artist, Suzanne Nicoll.

The whimsical picket fish have always been a favorite...

...and Suzanne has added several new designs to her collection. We are now carrying the colorful sea maidens...

...mermaid and seahorse silhouettes...

...and an adorable sea turtle:

If you or anyone you know is in the Key West area, please come visit for wine, company and of course, shopping!

As usual - we can ship, so feel free to call us at (305) 292-4004 for pricing information!

Monday Color (on Tuesday AGAIN!)

2011-03-01T07:52:00.003-05:00

Aaaaand I skipped another Monday. Somehow it got away from me.

Actually - I do know how. In preparation for the online shop that we'll be launching this Spring (finally!), we'll really need to step up our social networking game. So I'm taking an e-course with Decor8 called Blogging Your Way. Yesterday was the first day of the month long class and I am already organizing tons of new ideas swirling around my head. Check out the button on our sidebar for more information. After only one day, I'm already so inspired!

And now for some color inspiration...

That always puts me in a good mood. See you tomorrow with some more shop doings.

Images via: Annsley Interiors, Decor Pad, House of Turquoise, isuwannee and Oh Joy!

Sea Glass Inspired Lamps

2011-02-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to unique lamps, Style Key West is light years ahead of the rest! We have recycled glass lamps in dreamy shades of aqua, green, and turquoise; soft white, green, and yellow milk glass; and even whimsical seahorses and nautilus shells. Here are some of our best sellers:

Visit the shop to see for yourself! You can also call us at (305) 292-4004 for more information on pricing and shipping.

Have a great weekend!

Paper Bowls?

2011-02-24T13:39:00.004-05:00

Aren't these paper mâché bowls great?

The colors and lines are so simple and clean, and there is a very appealing organic feel to them. They'd look great in any space.

Made from recycled paper, each one is unique. The Etsy shop, etco offers different sizes and colors. See all of them HERE.

New Obsession: Aboriginal Art

2011-02-23T06:00:00.007-05:00

I've been reading Ish & Chi for a while now, and while I do enjoy seeing the outfits Viv puts together for her "Friday Fashion" posts, I'm far more intrigued by the large painting in the background.

Eventually, through her home decorating posts, I've discovered that it's one of three pieces of "Aboriginal art" that she has collected. Here are the other two:

I'm embarrassed to say that I had never before heard of (or more accurately, paid attention to) aboriginal art. But I was immediately taken with the color, texture and textile quality that each of her paintings - while different in technique and style - seem to share.

THEN, I read on Made by Girl, that inspired by Viv, Jen purchased a couple of aboriginal pieces for her own home.

Following the artist links that each blogger offered, I discovered the Aboriginal Art Coop site and spent an entire morning semi-ignoring my family while I poured over the galleries.

I grabbed image after image, planning to write SOME kind of post about them. Once I scanned through every painting (I'm not kidding - ALL 503 artists), I had to make some serious cuts. And even after eliminating about 2/3 of the images, I still have TWENTY FIVE in my picture file. I can't cut any more. They're too lovely. So here are some of my personal favorites (artist name below each):

Abie Loy Kemarre

Barbara Weir

Caroline Numina Pananka (above two)

Dolly Mills Petyarre

Evelyn Pultara (above two)

Gloria Petyarre

Jeanie Mills Pwerle

Jeannie Petyarre (above two)

Julianne Turner Nungarrayi

June Smith Pengarte

Kudditji Kngwarreye

Lena Pwerle

Lorna Fencer Napurrula

Lucky Morton Kngwarreye (above two)

Lulu Teece Petyarre

Makinti Napanangka

Mitjili Napurrula

Rosie Goodjie

Sally Gabori

Sarrita King (above two)

Aboriginal art (also known as Indigenous Australian art), is based upon traditional culture and is made by indigenous Australians. The mediums used are far more extensive than the paintings I featured above: painting on leaves, wood carving, rock carving, sculpture, ceremonial clothing, etc. But it's the paintings that really speak to me.

As much as I can appreciate all art from an objective standpoint, I tend to really "love" the pretty stuff. And this is some PRETTY stuff. It would look fabulous with most interior decor styles as well (so you don't have to feel guilty about matching your art to your house). AND depending on the artist, the prices can be very affordable.

Art brings life to a room. If you are in the market for some new wall decor, don't dismiss fine art as too expensive. Even if you have to spend a bit more than you would for those prints at Pottery Barn, original art is an investment worth making. And it seems that Aboriginal art can be an attainable investment at that!

Do you have any affordable fine art tips or secret resources? We'd love to know!

Monday Color (on Tuesday): Sunny Yellow

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

With the shop sale announcement yesterday, we missed the Monday Color post (oh right - it will be a weekly thing now). So Tuesday Color it is!

How about some yellow?

Wishing you a sunny week!

Images via: Brabourne Farm, Martha Stewart Living, Robert Passal, Tranquil Townhouse

SKW White Sale This Week!

2011-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

25% off of select bedding, sleepwear and rugs at Style Key West, Today through Saturday the 27th!

If you see something you like above, but can't make it in (say - if you live in Texas...), we can ship! Just call for pricing and inventory information: 305-292-4004.

Las Benditas de Key West

2011-02-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week, Terry and I attended an art show featuring a portrait of me!

The artist, Michael Philip, is a dear friend of mine. He and his partner, Doug are members of our wine group and we've known them as long as we've been in Key West.

Michael did a show like this with portraits of, I believe 14 women in New Orleans with great success, and he decided to approach the director of The Studios of Key West (TSKW) with a similar idea for a fundraiser using their space. TSKW is a large, beautifully restored armory building now housing small studios for artists and several gallery spaces.

He proposed that they invite 21 women, Las Benditas, to be models for portraits in a specific style. The "subjects" would pay a fee, and then the night of the opening they could buy their portrait or someone in their "entourage" (oh yes - I left out that part. each of us had to invite ten people to attend the opening) could buy it for a certain price. After that, the show became public and anyone could purchase a portrait for a higher price. They loved the idea and their board approved the choices.

I was selected to be one of the 21.

Needless to say I was truly honored to be included in this group of women, most of whom do a lot of charitable work and contribute to the community in other ways that I don't.

I was pretty nervous the night of the exhibition since I knew the style of the portraits was to be "Cubism and Neo-expressionism." We had had an initial interview and picture taking here at the house and talked about things that were important to me, inspirations, colors I love. All kinds of things to help him portray me not as just a face but also as an inner person. It was a fascinating process. He did this with all of the women and then proceeded over the next six weeks to produce 21 portraits. A monumental achievement!

The opening was a huge success. The gallery was so packed with people you could barely move. Luckily the "Las Benditas" were allowed in first to have time to find their portraits and be photographed. In case you're wondering, the name means "the blessed ones" so you can see why I feel so honored.

I can't thank Michael enough for including me in this spectacular event. And in case you were wondering, we did purchase my portrait. I have already selected a place of honor for it in my home.