SET ADRIFT FOR SUMMER

As with many of you, I'm in the process of getting inspired for SUMMER! For starters this year, I found a beautiful image and inspiration from island girl India Hicks - along with some tips she shares at India Hicks - Guide To Summer. The image reminded me of some of the images I've captured during some of our trips in South Florida: to the West Coast, to Key West, to Key Largo and even to up north in St. Augustine. This year, as I transition from spring to summer, I'm inspired more and more by coastal island style. It's definitely more in sync with the tropical place I live in, as well as the nearby islands of the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Here's some of my inspirations for summer...

India Hicks - Island Girl Style.

Turquoise blue water of a recent visit to nearby Hollywood Beach.

Images of driftwood I captured on the West Coast on Marco Island.

Turquoise blue water of Hollywood Beach.

Various shades of blue in home textiles I have, like this throw.

Target's Calypso ad is a wonderful inspiration.

The green & turquoise of the Calypso glasses.

Shades of turquoise and prints from my summer maxi dresses.

A previous coastal tablescape I set last year.

Turquoise blue of water in the Keys, paired with white.

Images of Mediterranea homes from my Casa Mediterranea book.

Clippings I've collected from various shelter magazines.

The displaying collections of natural elements I've collected from our trips.

Mixing and layering patterns and woven textiles.

Experimenting with blue and lime combinations, as well as a paint finish on the wall.

Ombre colors of skirt could work to transition the wall from a solid green...

Maintaining hints of green in the dining space will relate to the green

in the living room, with another inspirational image

 I spotted of India Hicks.

But like a rubber band, I usually snap back to being

passionate of being surrounded with

turquoise blues in the summer...

India Hicks with her family in the Bahamas.

India Hicks in the Bahamas.

My image from the West Coast.

Although it was overcast the day I shot this, editing its saturation over on Picnik

helped intensify the turquoise blue water...

I've always wanted to enlarge this and frame it...

Maybe this year I will.

LOVE the organic texture...



What inspires you for Summer?

KEY WEST - AMERICANA STYLE

Hard to believe, but here comes SUMMERTIME! How are you going to kick things off this Memorial weekend? A staycation hangin' by the pool? A trip on the Jitney up to The Hampton's? Fleet Week in the City? A family caravan headed to the shores of Cape May, Wildwood, or Sandy Hook Beach? Why not fly down to the Southern Most Tip of the USA: Key West?

This weeks Photos for Friday:

KEY WEST - AMERICAN STYLE

There is a vacancy...

Come on down...

Sittin' in the shade...

for the lazy days of Summer...

Did you know -

Key West has a White House,

presidents have stayed at and it's open to the public...

Even if you can't make it down here, you can create

a Memorial Day tribute at your own home,

like these featured in the Outdoor Spaces

Pottery Barn Summer catalog...

Pottery Barn

Grilling Sign

Pottery Barn

Andros Bistro Table

Pottery Barn

Summer Beach Barbecue

Pottery Barn

Montauk Collection

Having just visited Key West last week... and taking a boatload of pictures... Next week I'll be posting a series called Key West Week. It will be featuring The houses of Key West from Truman's Annex & Hurricane Alley (BTW: Hurricane Season kicks off next week too), The Doors of Key West, Key West Blues and of course: SUNSET on the Gulf...

Pottery Barn - Sunbrella

In the meantime...

have WONDERFUL weekend and

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

All photos, unless otherwise noted,

by Lynda Quintero-Davids

PHOTOS FOR FRIDAY: FLORIDA'S WEST COAST & THE GULF

 

Although I am very much a City girl at heart, my heart is aching over the recent events in the Gulf. I find it so difficult to believe all of the creativity in Hollywood along with all the scientists and their theories, can not come up with a solution to the oil spill in the Gulf. To make matters worse, a company whose focus is on off-shore drilling, has not even one back up plan (I'd have had 3!!) in the event of an emergency such as this. Be that as it may, and continuing my resolve to "embrace the place where I'm at"... this weeks focus for Photos For Friday are shots I captured last May, during our wedding anniversary stay on Florida's West Coast (Naples, Sanibel & Marco Islands) ... Who knows - these may be some of the last known memories of how the Gulf once was. BTW - Haven't other Gulf areas (like NOLA) gone through enough with the last spill & storms...

photo by Jeff Davids

"Thanks BP!!

 I wasn't too fond of the white beaches or my feathers anyways!!"

Struggling on the now Gulf Coast

Way to go BP... ever heard of

IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN

PLAN TO FAIL?

 

Maybe a DAWN could rise in the West?

(what a difference a year makes)

Our wedding Anniversary in the Keys in '08

We'll be married 3 years (but together for seven) next Thursday...

Have a wonderful weekend

and God bless all the Gulf Coasts...