March 8th, 2012
Symmetry – “An imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing, proportionately and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection.”
Part of the fun of visiting the Delaware Beaches is shopping. Downtown Rehoboth Beach is known for unique shops. Don’t get me wrong, we do have some t-shirt shops; all beach towns have them. That’s part of the charm, hmmm.
Anyway, my friend Jody and I were strolling around Rehoboth. We visited Dogfish Head, Heidi Lowe, and then we came upon Symmetry. I have to hand it to Jody. She knew this store well. The shopkeeper? Lee, was a friend. We did not think it was open yet, but Lee came out and invited us in.
Symmetry has been in Downtown Rehoboth Beach for years. It was originally located on Baltimore Ave. This is a new location for them. Just a few weeks ago they opened for business at 403 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-260-9741. E-mail symmetrydesigns@aol.com.
You cannot miss it. A shingled house with striped awning. Symmetry is a very stylish shop that carries primitive to contemporary home elements.
 
 
Lee was very excited to show us around. Floors refinished; plenty of merchandise and I thought they were ready for the season.
 Lee is behind the counter. Symmetry has accents for the modern house, and accessories to enhance one’s way of life. You will find furniture, decorative bowls, vases, lamps, art, and even jewelry.
 
 
We found that it was an affordable store, whether you were buying for yourself or for a friend.
Lee was very easy to talk to. And, so friendly. I always mention that friendliness is a characteristic of practically all shopkeepers in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.
I asked Lee if Symmetry offered interior design services. He said, yes. If you are interested, please visit the store or call him up.
He pointed out that the shop tries to engage local artists and artisans. They do have pieces from Delaware, Pennsylvania and even from Florida. Some of the textiles on the pillows are made by one of the oldest mills in the country, in Pennsylvania.
 
So here are more than a few pictures….let’s go shopping!!
 
 
 
 
Rehoboth Beach is a destination….why don’t you come and visit and stay awhile…talk to you later….Love Tax Free Shopping!!
November 23rd, 2011
If there is a town that can bring the nostalgia of what the holidays should be is the historic town of Berlin, Maryland. It is located west of Ocean City, Maryland, just by a few miles. From Rehoboth Beach, it is a longer drive but only about 40 minutes, if that. It is worth it and at this time of the year Berlin gets all decked out for the holidays, their windows are decorated and on Friday November 25th at 5:30 p.m. the Holiday Season will kick off with the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of of the Atlantic Hotel right on Main Street.
Berlin dates from the 1790s; historically charming with lots of shops and restaurants. Their Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 1st at 7 p.m. is one not to be missed. Out of a Norman Rockwell painting, it is.
The setting of Berlin is great but the people that reside, work and own businesses are making sure that this town offers its visitors a treat; wanting them to keep coming back again and again.
One of those shops that is celebrating the Season is TaDa Home. It opened this year, but it does have a sister store; TaDa, that has been around for years. If you are visiting Berlin on the Fridays in December; the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd stop by because you will be able to enjoy home-made baked goods while you shop for one of a kind Christmas decor and gift items.
TaDa Home is located at 27 N. Main Street, Berlin, Maryland. Tel. 410-641-4430. Website? http://www.blairelizabeth.com.
When Patty Falck first opened TaDa, the store had her signature all over and it still does; simple and elegant. TaDa Home keeps constantly evolving, though. The combined artistic talents of the Falck family is now shining through. I love it; the two girls, the father and the mother. Yes, TaDa Home is a must stop shop in Berlin, Maryland.
The shop is beautifully appointed. Steve and Brooke have combed the area looking for special pieces; Patty then puts then her artistic touches.
Rugs, paintings by Patty, pillows, coastal touches, epicurian books and delights are the many surprises you will find at TaDa.
 
It is easy shopping for the holidays, as well. And, no, Tada is not opening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. The store hours will be Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
These pictures reflect what a beautiful store it is. Something will have to catch your interest, I am sure.
     
If you happen to see the November issue of Coastal Style Magazine, www.coastalstylemag.com. you will get to meet the Falck family in depth. A beautiful article on this family that for some years has been facing one of those curves that life throws at you.
TaDa supports The Stephen Falck Foundation for MSA Research. Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is currently without treament and cure. It is their hope that by funding research for this illness, they may help those currently suffering, and provide hope in the future for a cure.
Please note that portions of every sale from TaDa Home are donated to MSA. Websites to learn more about what they are going through? www.wemove.org/msa. and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/multiple_system_atrophy.
Happy Thanksgiving!!…talk to you later….TaDa is next….
September 11th, 2011
“After the design is firmly fixed, the decoration is added. Decorating is the final enhancement.” albert hadley
I finally made it to Rooster’s Nest. Friends had told me again and again to write a post on this really neat shop west of Fenwick Island; just a couple of miles only. It is in the Bayville Shopping Center, 37244 Lighthouse Rd., #108. Tel. 302-436-1848, Fax is 302-436-1868. Website? www.roostersnest.com.
The proprietors are William Shoemaker and Sally Walsh. Rooster’s Nest is celebrating its 5th year in business.
As I came in, the first ladies I met were Dawn and Beth. I introduced myself, like I usually do. Having to get approval for me to take pictures, the owners were called and they agreed. Dawn and Beth told me a little bit about the store.
Everything in it is for sale, including the furniture pieces where merchandise is displayed. Before I forget, they can store furniture within reason and there is free delivery, as well. But, please do check with them.
 
 
At first look the store looked beautiful and fully stocked. A sweeping glance of it told me that it was one of those “must stop” shops, here at the Delaware Beaches. It is centrally located; a very easy drive. It took about 20 minutes from Rehoboth Beach.
 
I asked Dawn how she would describe the store and she did not hesitate to say “French Country”. Just looking at the colors I could see those blues, yellows, reds and blacks that are so prevalent in the region of Provence, on the south east of France. 
French Country has the feel of a warm and sunny place. The store carries classic European and American merchandise.
  
I took so many pictures. Could not help it. Rooster’s Nest has the perfect finishing touches for the home.
Besides being able to find those decorating indispensables, you could find gifts for any occasions, including gifs for him.
Products from Bella Cucina are perfect for a hostess gift.
Something caught my eye. The antique bottles on the armoire. They were so unique. They are made in Southern California by Jamie Dietrich. They are authentic bottles from the 1800’s to early 1900’s. They were decorated with handmade crystals and shell work.
I own a couple of Bossom Buddy bags. They are made in Baltimore, Maryland.
Plenty of gifts for the golf enthusiast; conversation pieces like the ball made out of Bobby Jones vintage clubs. Also available were books, lamps among other items.
 
Candles and soaps always make a nice gift. Lotions and colognes from Rogert & Gallet, Paris.
The coast is a beautiful place to call home and it was well represented at the store.
   
Even though summer is, officially, until the end of September, we can’t forget that Halloween and Thanksgiving are around the corner. Already the store had decorations for that most anticipated times of the year.
Did anything catch your eye? It still amazes me to see all the options we have when it come to shopping, dining, entertainment and activities. So much have changed at the Beaches. Lucky to call it home…..
Talk to you later…Guess what?…I do have extra pictures of Rooster’s Nest and they will be on Facebook on AboutMyBeaches…just in case you have missed something…
Talk to you later….
March 14th, 2011
One of the best thing about being in a small coastal town or a small town for that matter, is that as you walk and enter different shops you become familiar with the friendly shopkeeppers. A winning smile and a friendly disposition is all it takes.
I was walking on Atlantic Ave. the other day and right across from the Veterans Park by the Intracoastal and next to the Old School Bakery, a lady was coming out of the store. I stopped and asked her if she owned the shop and she said yes. I praised the beautiful colors and asked if I could come in.
Varietai is located at 812 E. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. Tel. 561-455-2767. E-mail address is varietai.delray@gmail.com. The shopkeepper? Michele Ramirez. If you have been in Delray for some time, you might remember a store called Durango’s Attic. Well, she was the owner of that store. About 3 months ago she opened Varietai. I had seen it and thought it looked great from the outside. Therefore, it was time to check it out.
As you come into the store there is a lot to absorb. Just like the name of Varietai, there is plenty of variety. If would be hard not to be able to find something for your home, for a girlfriend, teacher, you name it; she has something for everyone. She has new items but there are also plenty of items on consignment, as well.
As I browsed a unique collection of furniture, art, lamps and jewelry, my eyes were gravitating to the floor. The painted floor was done by Michele. The floor was cement and it was covered from corner to corner with art; the koi taking center stage.
Michele also paints on glass and it is for sale, as well.
There is a collection of very attractive jewelry from Australia; the colors and stones unique.
Michele store is warm; not fussy. Again, I have to mention the colors because they are bright and a definition of what South Florida is all about.
Varietai offers a great collection of pillows. Michele said the pillows are becoming very popular and they are very well priced.
And here are the rest of the pictures so that you can she what can be found in this very well stocked shop.
If you have any questions, please call Michele at the above mentioned telephone number or you can also e-mail at varietai.delray@gmail.com.
Talk to you later……
January 27th, 2011
Back on October 26, I wrote a post on a furniture consignment shop called Seaquels in Ocean View, Delaware. The store is owned by Cindy and Kathy. By the way, if you want to see that post just click on the month of October, 2010 and scroll down to the 26th.
These two ladies sent me an e-mail. They thought I should go and visit White Orchid Interiors as possible material for my blog. They thought the store looked beautiful and readers might like to find out that there is another choice for their decorating needs, among the ones that already exist in our Delaware beaches. Word of mouth; again, is the best advertisement.
Well let me tell you more about White Orchid. First of all, it is located at 83 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970. Tel. is 302-541-4044. Website? www.whiteorchidde.com. It is so easy to get to because all you have to do if you are driving on Rt. 1 is get to Bethany Beach and right there at the intersection of Rt. 1 and Rt. 26 just go west for about 2 miles and you will see it on the right hand side of the road.
It is a house and at the beginning I did not know where it was but once I saw it I, definitely, knew where I was.
Because this showroom was a home, it has that look and ambiance; you move through the different rooms of a house. Even though it is an interior design shop, furniture, home accents, and art are available for purchase on the spot.
Nothing makes a store shine more than the people that work in it. In this case the owner, Leslie Bixler. It was the first time I had met her and immediately I felt at ease with her. She is friendly and exudes confidence. You can tell she loves what she does. She is not new at this type of business. Leslie ‘s background is in retailing, marketing and advertising. And she is a very busy lady.
The store features metals, natural seagrass, lamps, luxury bedding, designer pillows, and mirrors, among many other accessories.
White Orchid Interiors is eclectic and stylish; the way the store is decorated radiates proportion and symmetry.
Leslie offers services like residential space planning, custom window treatments, paint consultation, wallcoverings and in home design services.
Most important is that her designs skills cater to a variety of interior styles while working within your budget. I remember one time a friend of mine who is a decorator told me that if your budget has no limits then for a designer it becomes a very easy job. It is when a limited budget is in place that a designer really becomes a creator of sorts; innovative, showing taste, style and class.
Her local art is original; one being the watercolors on her wall. They are by Dorothy Harrison Braun, who is her mother. Mrs. Harrison offers private and group instruction and you can call her at 302-539-2045.
I took so many pictures thinking I would only put a few on my post. But, I really liked them all and what better way to show White Orchid than by showing some of the pictures of this very unique interior design shop.
As I was leaving I kept thinking about my own style. It is a mix of several styles which make my own look, I guess. Casual and easy; that’s it.
I also remember reading a quote “Style comes from within and is a reflection of your character and preference”. Could not have said it better myself.
Have a good one!!…Talk to you later….
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