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An Adventure Into the Unknown
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As a decorator, there is an ART to Finding inspiration! For me it can be as simple as visiting a fabric shop. I appreciate the ease of stopping into Chrysalis and Tallahassee Decorative Fabrics and selecting swatches that eventually will be used at my client's home. Other times I can just take a walk around Lake Ella. By deliberately thinking a space through I can come up with ideas that really fall into to place and answer my client's needs. Sometimes it requires more like seeking out a destination that prompts your mind to explore. This was one of those occasions. I had been sitting at my desk drawing up ideas long enough and I just really needed to take the basics of what I had come up with and infuse something inspired! It was time for a "Day Trip"!
As I departed from the shop the road traveling down Thomasville hit me hard with the reminder that Tallahassee's local Miracle Theater had closed. I passed slowly to read the farewell sign: "It was our pleasure to have served you". Like many of the loyal Miracle goers I viewed COUNTLESS movies there and FINDING the type of films they typically showed is going to be a challenge. As a small business owner I couldn't help but feel my sense of appreciation for all of those who stop in to my shop on a regular basis.
My day trip continued with watching my speed through work areas where the fines are doubled, witnessing a van clip a side mirror by getting to close to a trucker on 1-10 and miraculously not causing an accident. Thank goodness for rest areas. It pained me to see the Cafe Latte/Coffee Machine repair man reassemble the vending machine where I stopped. That vending machine looks weird on the inside. Seeing the inner workings completely ruined the illusion of how the machine creates my on the road favorite caffeine fix.
All that aside in three hours and sixteen minutes from the starting point of my shop address the highway led me to one of my favorite places in LAH flow REE dah ~St. Augustine. The oldest continuously occupied city and port located in the continental United States. I was hopeful that this would be just the location to open up the passages to generate a needed plan and ideas to restructure the look of my client's town house. I was hopeful the Spanish settlement of a town that took place in 1565 with an European feel, boutiques, antiques, galleries and the beach would do the trick. What more could a girl want on a Monday?
 Down the Rabbit Hole ~ location: 81 San Marco Ave. Yes! it was opened on a Monday. Actually the hours are from Mon., - Sat. 9 am - 6pm & Sunday, 9am - 5 pm. I loved the feel of the shop and the display. As a decorator who has helped clients who own their own shops with floor planning and layout, product display, flow, and charm - it was wonderful to just be in a space that made me happy. I was excited to look around! Elijah the young man who was keeping shop was abundantly pleasant and enthusiastic about the shop and that this was my first visit. He catered to my inquiries re: various unique pieces in the shop and helped me identify the best price. He spoke highly of the shop owner, his boss, Monica Lopez, it was refreshing! I was pleased to have the chance to meet Monica, the creative spirit behind the place. She had a great sense of how to showcase the original handmade clothing, jewelry and accessories featured in the shop by local and worldwide Artisans. Down the Rabbit Hole also offered quite a few vintage pieces used for display which gave the shop that charm. Surprisingly the pieces were for sale. So often you find a great piece in such a shop and it has a NFS (Not for Sale) tag. Since a few items needed to make their way back to Tallahassee for my customers and clients, I finished circling around Monica's shop to make sure I saw everything, made my purchases, and, with help, load up.
 | | Lightner Museum | I wanted to get out and about. St. Augustine is a walking city. Parking on Monday wasn't too bad. I found a metered parking space on the street alongside the Lightner Museum and was reminded of the history. Built in 1887 in Spanish Renaissance style the building was formerly known as the Hotel Alcazar. In 1946 Chicago publisher Otto C. Lightner purchased the property to house his Victorian collection and turned it into a museum. Otto C. then gifted the museum to the City of St. Augustine.
It was time to be a tourist. The incredible heat didn't bother me as I set out walking toward the Lion's Bridge. I loved walking past the Casa Monica Hotel, my favorite place when staying in the historical district. Just past the hotel is the Grand Bohemian Gallery where an incredible painting hanging in the storefront window grabbed my attention. It had this VanGoghesque quality. I had to stop in and see more! The oil painting was by the French artist Jean Claude Roy. After expressing my strong appreciation for his works, Tamara the very helpful lady that worked in the gallery walked me over to the Casa Monica's function room. There hung more of Jean Claude's work. I was quite taken and excited to learn that once I returned home I could visit the website: www.grandbohemiangallery.com to experience even more examples of his creations! It was fitting to learn that he refers to himself as an "expressionist-colorist". Originally from Rochefort-sur-Mer, France he knew from a young age that he wanted to be an artist. Although Jean Claude is in his early 60's I could feel a youthful spirit in his paintings, as if a young and happy heart had expressed the image. I loved learning that his Grandfather, a farmer had encouraged him to paint.
The Bridge of Lions. I had a destination in mind when I parked the car. I knew I wanted to walk down to the waterfront. I can't leave St. Augustine without taking the time to cross over the Bascule Bridge known as the Bridge of Lions. Fascinated first as a little girl I still appreciate the landmark. I know a little history about the marble Medici lions that guard the bridge. These fabulous statues were first created in 1925 and finished in 1927. They were inspired by the original lion statues placed in 1600 at the Villa Medici in Rome Italy. They are named for Ferdinando 1 de Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany who originally had the statues commissioned for the Villa. Up close they are majestic and appear to protect the pathway of where the bridge will take you.
As I often commiserate with my family and friends in how time flies, there just isn't enough time in a day. I had fit in a lot but I would need to head back soon to Tallahassee. I had time for one more stop.
LAST STOP:
 The Beach - By Crossing the Bridge of Lions you are able to go from Downtown, St. Augustine to Anastasia Island. My goal was to view a little bit of the beach and take a peaceful walk before heading back home.
Here is where a picture is worth a 1,000 words really comes into play.
I love my job, I love my business. It is a business of bliss. My day trip was effective, inspiring and allowing me to complete my concepts to reveal to my client for consideration and launching of her re-decorating project. I found some great vintage items to offer my customers and clients and I hope that I might add a Jean Claude Roy original to my art collection. Not a bad work day, even for a Monday!
Tags: Interior Decorator Tallahassee Designer
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