One Small Change: New Towels

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.

Just in Time for Winter (in Key West): The Best All Natural Mosquito Repellent Candles!

We just received a shipment of one of our best products ever: all natural mosquito repellent candles! I know, I know - some of you are looking at snow. But here in Key West, mosquitoes are a part of life year-round. And when we find something new we get a little excited about it.

The candles are from our new candle line, Hillhouse Naturals (they also have a blog).

The candles are all natural with two different fragrance blends. One is wild mint, juniper, and tea tree, and the other is eucalyptus, mint leaf, and lemongrass. Note: No citronella! They smell fabulous in the shop without being lit, which is great, but we had to product test them for actual mosquito repellent abilities.

You know how we love outdoor dining. So Sunday night, we tested them at a dinner party in our loggia...



...and they worked great! The fragrance of the natural herbs was subtle and didn't overwhelm us as we dined.


And the container is reusable as a planter. All natural, no smelly citronella, reusable container, and THEY WORK! We're sold.

Welcome To My Bloomin' World

Ever see these flowers?...





They're called Brugmansia. Also known as "Angel Trumpets", Brugmansia has an infamous side (or side effect). It's poisonous if ingested. So we just like to look at them.

Elsewhere in the garden...


That's a miniature Ixora hedge that lines the walk to our loggia.

Do you know what kind of flower this is?...


It's actually a Hibiscus called Schizopetalus.It originally hails from East Africa. But seems to enjoy its life in Key West.

The next two photos show orchids with a touch of water from our fountain in the backgrounds.



And finally, we have two bougainvilleas next to the pool.


Aaah... just another average day in paradise.

Bathroom Redo: The Unveiling!

Remember several weeks back when we posted these pictures?




That would be the new bathroom tile samples and a couple of "before" shots.

Well - it's finally done! (almost)

Here is a visual tour of the process:

















The only thing that's left is the glass panel for the shower (which should have arrived by today - sigh).

This update has been a long time coming and I'm thrilled with the results. Big thanks go to Caroline for her design expertise and work as "foreman" while we were relaxing at our river house in Oregon!

Flower Photo Op

On Sunday afternoon as I was sitting at the dining room table working on my laptop, Terry walked in from the garden to show me a beautiful hibiscus bloom. He put it on the table next to a necklace I had dropped there on top of my gorgeous table runner. A gift from my son's girlfriend, Christine, it's actually a vintage silk embroidered Japanese obi sash. I looked up and thought it made such a pretty picture I had to share it.

Bathroom Rehab

We have embarked on a new decorating project chez Coveny. Redoing the master bathroom is something I have been dreaming about for the entire nine years we have lived here. (Wow! Has it really been that long?) However, there were many more important things to do. Number one was to renovate the shop space and get the business up and running. Then Terry launched into creating a tropical paradise in our yard. Then, Disaster struck in the form of Hurricane Wilma and everything we had accomplished had to be redone. At last, hooray, it's time for the bathroom redo.

Here are a few views of the current mess. I cringe each time I put my toe in that tub/shower...and I cringe even more to imagine all of you readers looking at this. But to appreciate the wonderful anticipated "after" you have to see the hideous "before." So, gulp, here goes:







Ugh - it's even worse in pictures...

The one redeeming feature of the master bath though, is a great one. The door was handcrafted by someone along the line.I love it and it has provided the inspiration for the cabinetry. We will have a vanity and recessed medicine cabinet of pickled pine with hand tooled grille work panels.

And here is a board of tile samples.

It was a hard decision on the flooring. I fell totally in love with the real stone sample but after considering the difference in price and realizing I would spend a lot of time on my hands and knees scrubbing grout, I opted for the granite looking porcelain tile.

The walls will be crisp white painted bead board with pale aqua ceiling. The horrible old tub is leaving and being replaced with a room-width shower of 8x10" vertical white tile with a 6" border at the top of the little glass and marble tiles in shades of soft green and aqua. There will be no shower curtain or doors, just a glass panel about 2/3 the length of the shower. White oval sink, white commode and of course the pickled pine cabinetry. All crisp, clean and sparkling.

The demolition begins June 1, and I, like a complete coward, will sneak away to Oregon leaving the whole mess in the capable hands of my fellow designer Caroline. But just in case you're interested, we'll post updates.

A Garden Tour

Warm weather has finally arrived and the garden is burgeoning. Here are a few pictures that really don't show their true magnificence but give an idea of it.

Bougainvillea in pots by the pool lend a lush color accent.


The Angel Trumpets bush is my absolute favorite with it's delicate peach blossoms drooping down like bells.




There are more Bougainvilleas peeking out amidst the ferns.


Even this little bonsai tree is blooming for Spring. The bonsai pot with it's stones and grass and little tree looks like a mini yard.


Finally, even though it's not a blooming plant, I have to show you how this Rosemary bush has grown so big it looks like a Christmas tree. I think we'll have to put lights on it this year!


Happy Spring everyone! I hope you are enjoying all the spring blossoms surrounding you.