My Mahogany Grove

I’ve always been interested in Bonsai plants, even before The Karate Kid. Unfortunately, I don’t have the patience to sit and meditate in front of a miniature tree for hours to determine which leaf should be sacrificed. I use the “massacre approach” which I think was banned in Japan in the 14th Century.

Here’s one of my recent efforts, a grove of six (one-year old) Mahogany trees in a 6” X 8” pot (4” deep).


Sure… everyone’s familiar with mahogany wood furniture, but have you ever seen a Mahogany tree in person? Here are two views of the one that grows in my side yard.



This tree stands about sixty feet high with a 75-foot plus wingspan. So how do you get six Mahogany trees in one itty-bitty pot? Well, you start with 6 itty-bitty seedlings like this one.


And then if you’re blessed with dumb luck, you get a grove of Mahogany trees…

…that will never know just how big a deal they could have been.

Meet Caroline: Part II

A big part of my dream to open a home furnishings shop in Key West was to have a team of designers working on the various projects that came our way. And when I say "team" I mean not just me.

I've always found that some of the best work is a product of collaboration. When like-minded designers bring their various strengths to the table, the possibilities are limitless.

And I have absolutely found my design soul mate in Caroline. While she has a similar aesthetic, her background is very different from mine, and her technical knowledge and experience in bathroom and kitchen design adds an entirely new element to what Style Key West has to offer.

I just downloaded some pictures of a recent bathroom job we're working on. They really don't do justice to the space since one thing Style Key West does not offer is a professional photographer. But here is what I captured on my little digital camera:





The aqua/blue of the glass tile is just gorgeous and reflects the light coming through a high half round window on a wall that angles up to a peaked cathedral ceiling. At the top of the peak is a fabulous bronze iron chandelier in the shape of a branch. Sadly - I wasn't able to get a good shot of this, but the sconce in the commode area matches the chandelier.

Caroline is the best possible person to fill the position of our Shop Manager and Associate Designer. I can't say enough about her hard work, skill and creativity. I think the angels sent her to me.

With Caroline on our team, Style Key West was able to take on the interior design of two beautiful bedrooms with en suite baths. The project is still in the works but the pictures above provide an inkling of what the finished project will be. We'll post better images after we complete the job.

I owe so many of our exciting new ideas and endeavors to Caroline, my friend and colleague. Because of her and our other colleagues, Style Key West is a family. And that is exactly what I dreamed about before making it a reality.

Kate's Key West: Congratulations Friend!

I know that I'm supposed to write something about my own Key West stories and favorites on Mondays - but today I have to hijack this feature to congratulate my good blogging friend, Anne Harwell.

Her wonderful Annechovie blog features her work as an artist as well as her own Internet finds and design features. And she recently posted a still from the movie, It's Complicated in which you can clearly see one of her fabulous chair prints in the background!


Mom mentioned this print in the post about her love of chairs.


We were just talking yesterday about how the house in Something's Gotta Give was her all time favorite home interior in film. And it struck me that the It's Complicated movie set will probably be just as carefully scrutinized by anyone studying, working in or amateurly admiring design. And they'll see Anne's print!

Pretty amazing. Congrats Anne - we're all so proud of you.

Meet Caroline: Part I

Hi, I'm Caroline Horn, and I'm the lucky girl who gets to live in Key West and manage the shop for Jo and Terry.


I moved here from Kentucky about a year and a half ago for all the obvious reasons that one would move to Key West. My son, Josh, left home to save the world via the United States Coast Guard, so I suppose it's my turn to live a little. Shortly after arriving here, I wandered into the shop looking for a job and totally fell in love with colors, the beautiful furniture and accessories, and of course, Jo and Terry!

In Kentucky, I worked for an architect and for a builder, so my background was primarily new construction, historic preservation, and kitchen and bath remodeling. I've always loved working with color, and I always tried to inject a little whimsy - something unexpected - into my designs. Now working with Jo, I have learned so much about completing the design concept.

I feel so fortunate to be working with Jo and Terry and living in Key West. Key West has such an open and accepting attitude, and I know I've been changed in the short time I lived here.

There is so much creativity on this little island. Nobody would ever say, "Well, you can't do that." You can create anything you dream in Key West. And I think my very favorite thing about Key West is that adults get to play dress up for no particular reason...


That's me in the purple mask!

Terry Coveny: A "Model" (Key West) Citizen

This afternoon I was selected to be a model in a photo shoot for Pier House (a Key West hotel).


Was I cast to sit at the bar entrancing one of the island lovelies while holding some exotic rum drink with a an umbrella in it? No... my particular talent was identified to be the senior citizen making sand angels at their private beach.

Here is our photographer, Ira directing the hotel's beach boy to do the necessary raking for my sand angels:



Here is one of me and my pal, Woody Hinkle, who owns the Washington, DC ad agency that had the foresight to choose me for this important role.


Ira gave me some pointers on how to make the best sand angel possible...


...and then we started the shoot.

This one showcases the great talent I have for this kind of work:


And here you can see my elation for having achieved a job well done:


Finally, I put on one of my signature moves (which the photographer thinks should be the photo they actually use. What do you think?):


Who knew I was such a natural at modeling? It's always nice to discover a new talent.

Meet "Bubbles"

This is "Bubbles" the mermaid. She's a big girl, 13 inches tall and 12 inches from nose to tail. We like her so much she's become our shop mascot. And she's TURQUOISE!

Turquoise Named 2010 Pantone Color of the Year!

When it comes to Key West color, the most obvious source of inspiration is the beautiful water surrounding the island.

The hue variations of blue and green are muse to residents and visitors alike. From professional artists to disposable camera toting tourists, everyone finds magic in our sparkling sea.

(click pictures for Google images search sources)

Every color combination of blue and green can be found here, and you'll often hear references to Key West's turquoise water.

We just saw on K+BB that Pantone (the color standard for the printing and design related businesses) named Turquoise the color of the year.


Not only is it a signature color for the Keys, it's also the signature color for Style Key West!



In all its permutations from pale aqua to deep teal, this color figures prominently in our shop as well as our daily life.

Here are some pictures we took today:

Pantone's write up on Turquoise says, "Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively."

We love our tropical island filled with and surrounded by Turquoise. If you've never been here, come visit soon!