Sunset Beach mailbox
July 10th, 2008 categories: Miscellany
Yesterday, driving back from the Sandpearl reception on Clearwater Beach, we drove down Sunset Beach (the south end of Treasure Island) to see what was new. This mailbox (click on the photo to enlarge) caught my attention - done in the same colors as the house behind it.
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Closings can be beginnings
June 28th, 2008 categories: Miscellany
Yesterday was the closing on a waterfront home here in St Petersburg - actually one in my neighborhood, Broadwater. I represented the buyers, which is nice because it means they’re coming here rather than leaving here. These buyers started looking a few years ago, waiting for the right time and the right house. Recently they found it.
A few minutes ago a florist delivered a vase of beautiful flowers, large and bold, with bright, happy colors, and tropical leaves (how did they know what I liked - or did they guess?). They were accompanied by a note saying,
Sharon, thanks so much again for working with us through this over the last several years. We are both very happy with the result and especially the friendship you’ve shown us. … Barb & Jeff Boehler
Barb & Jeff have been great to work with, and we look forward to sharing many good times with them in the years ahead.
Thank you!
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Hurricane Season Starts - Florida Listens
June 2nd, 2008 categories: Miscellany, News and Views, Real Estate Tips
Hurricane season starts every year on June 1st - not that hurricanes can’t emerge prematurely, but other than that, June 1st is when Floridians start listening to the weather reports - or watching the newspaper headlines.
If this is your first hurricane season in Florida, here are some hints for you: Read the rest of this entry »
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Garagemahal
February 23rd, 2008 categories: Dolphin Cay, Miscellany, Old Northeast, Terms and Abbreviations
A garagemahal is a home where the garage (often a 3-car garage or more) dominates the front view of the house. I don’t know that the word applied to townhomes that may have only a one car garage, but the point is the same when you see the garage but not the entrance and no other facade than the garage. The word comes from the Taj Mahal, so there’s a bit of irony in that most of these garagemahals have none of the majesty of the originating building. We have to assume that somewhere behind the garages, there IS a house.
The opposite to this is a development such as Dolphin Cay, where the single family homes (other than the waterfront homes) are designed to be pedestrian-friendly, generally with a front porch. The garages are behind the homes, unobtrusive, and occasionally with living space above the garage - a home office, a guest suite, a recreation room.
The Old Northeast, a popular neighborhood in St Petersburg that is close to downtown, is pedestrian friendly, which adds to its appeal. Some of the homes in the Old Northeast date back to the 1910s - others are still being built, though generally on lots that previously had homes. Characteristic of the neighborhood, garages are typically behind the house, with alley access. The front porches encourage neighbors to know one another, as you’re much more likely to chat if one of you is on the porch and the other is on the sidewalk walking by. People are unlikely to walk up to your house and ring the doorbell just to say, Hello! When you’re within sight of one another, it’s only natural to nod, wave or strike up a conversation.
Hint: if you want to get to know your neighbors, take a dog out for a walk (yours or one that’s borrowed) - just remember that they’ll know your dog before they know you.
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Showcase Event for ICF and Accessoreez in St Petersburg
February 22nd, 2008 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany, Things To Do
Showcase of art for your home and glass jewelry
Accessoreez and Image Creations of Florida hosted a designer’s showcase event in St Petersburg. I was fortunate to be invited to this private event, planned to make a quick stop for 15 minutes, and then spent over an hour there. Not only did I have a chance to talk with old friends and meet some new ones … I saw some wonderful wearable art, some for me and some for my home.
Linda and Jack Albrecht, friends and clients, have been serving the Tampa Bay interior design community for more than a dozen years - creating wonderful cast paper art, providing unique faux painting for homes, framing original artwork and prints, Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) artwork pieces, and providing customized pieces for residences and commercial buildings. Linda has partnered with a long-time friend (we don’t have “old” friends), Leslie Belcher, to provide unique art glass jewelry through Accessoreez,
Leslie designs beautiful glass jewelry. My favorites were those that began with sea themes and applied her creativity. I liked the symmetrical aspect of her necklaces. Which designs? Which colors? Hmmm - I guess I’ll have Leslie design a custom piece - or two - or three.
Image Creations of Florida is located at 3025 44th Avenue North in St Petersburg, where Leslie is setting up both a showcase and a workshop. Do call first - the experience is so much better if Linda and Leslie are there to walk you through the whole creative process.
Quality art, framing, cast paper, glicee art
unique art glass jewelry designs
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