Travels: Nibblin' on spongecake in Key West: Part 2 (the houses)

Wherever I travel, it is always about houses.

 

They are what give an area personality.  They are shaped by their history and the people who live in them.

 

During this visit, like all others to Key West, I spend hours biking and walking and exploring Key West neighborhoods. One of my favorite decorating books is Key West:  A Tropical Lifestyleby Leslie Linsley with gorgeous photography of Key West homes by Terry Pommett.  It is a great guide to Key West decorating and design.

 

The architecture in Key West is a mixture of pure charm, southern hospitality and the Key West lifestyle.  There is a certain attitude.  Timeless. Accepting and individual.  Offbeat and filled with history.  Each little winding lane offers an adventure to the island's past.  This area offers an escape to a wonderful tropical paradise.  Even for those of us who live on the coast of Florida and have access to the island lifestyle, Key West is totally something and someplace else.

 

Everywhere I go, I look for ideas that I can bring back to my clients.  Even those with the most traditional and contemporary of homes want a little feel of the coastal lifestyle.  There are some tips from these beautiful Conch houses that can be incorporated into your Florida home.  Here is my list:

 

Colorful bougainvillea*lattice wall on a deck or lanai*an orchid in every room*indoor rooms that flow seamlessly into the outdoors*eclectic art collections*tablescapes collections*lanai and porch ceilings painted turquoise*painted furniture blended with antiques and wicker*sea glass and shells*classic but laid back elegance (this is Key West!)*outdoor verandas*whimsical garden art and lots of it*outdoor dining areas*porches decorated with flea market finds*shells and fountains*something turquoise in every room*collages and arrangements of items found at the beach*a garden filled with bromeliads*local art*rooms painted in colors from nature*windows open to living art*pots of tropical plants*colorful mosaic tiles*driftwood*shell mirrors*white picket fence*Adirondack chairs

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Travels: Nibblin' on spongecake in Key West (Part 1: a great escape)

My perfect "have to get out of town for a break NOW" getaway is to head for Key West.  And that is exactly what I did. It is a complete escape (from reality).  And I love it.

It begins with the journey to get there which is always on the Key West Express from Fort Myers Beach. Why would anyone make the hours-long trip by car when you can hope onboard this sleek, modern vessel and let someone else do the driving?  It is a beautiful ride and pure confort and best of all, it gives me more time in Key West.  The only way to go!

From the dock it is an easy walk with my very light bag (how much can tee shirts, shorts and a spare pair of flip flops weigh?) to the wonderful WeatherStation Inn in the Truman Annex.  This historic property (1911) is perfectly located...close enough to Duval Street for all of the fun but in a gated community where you can get a peaceful night's sleep and a healthy breakfast.  And Barbara, along with her caring and professional staff see to all of your needs and recommend the best of everything happening in Key West. 

After I check in, the fun begins.  Since any trip for me is all about the houses and decor, I like to rent bikes and do a quick "welcome back to Key West" ride.  This includes jaunts through Old Town (all of those yummy Key West homes), the Hemingway House, beautiful Fort Zachery Taylor State Park, a stop at my favorite bookstore, Voltaire Books on Simonton Street,  the southernmost point in the U.S. By now it is usually time for a cold drink in the place where you can feel closest to Ernest Hemingway:  Sloppy Joe's.

My first meal is always at my current favorite Key West restaurant, Kelly's.  Located in the historic, original Pan Am Airlines building on the corner of Whitehead and Caroline, this outdoor garden is a perfect setting for

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