Arielle Valle emerges from her studio with her long, brown hair tied into a bun, concrete smudged on her face and flaking off her skin from elbow to fingertip. “Today's a concrete day; we're like, ‘Pretend I'm not here.’ I'm locked in my little cave like a gremlin all day long,” the multihyphenate maker says.

Arielle and her mother, Beth, run Cape Coral’s The Wallflower Shoppe, where they sell their handmade ‘soulful essentials,’ including Arielle’s concrete pottery, Beth’s natural beauty and home products, and the duo’s signature eco-friendly, nontoxic candles, which they mix and pour in house.

On 47th Terrace, just a few blocks from Cape Coral’s Midpoint Memorial Bridge, the shop is marked by a mural from Fort Myers artist Gabrielle Kesecker. The whimsical doodles of mushrooms and flowers span the windows of the 1976 former real estate building the Valles renovated over seven months. The women spent five years building their brand of sustainably minded home decor and wellness products at artisan markets nationwide before opening their shop.

[ngg src="galleries" ids="436" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]The peaceful, eight-month-old boutique prompts guests to linger, explore and try the goods. A rattan seating area, dubbed the ‘day room’ for its sunny exposure, fronts a coffee bar with brews from Cape Coral’s Bones Coffee Company and gluten-free and vegan treats from the next-door Sweet Real bakery. In the center of the spacious front room, tables and shelves house a mix of Wallflower’s artisan wares alongside goods from other makers with a similar ethos (think: sustainable yoga mats and blocks from the Cape’s 42 Birds).

Opposite the day room is the cozy ‘green room,’ named after the many plants surrounding the space’s plush, burgundy furniture. Mood lighting from a farmhouse chandelier and a nearby floor lamp make this area a perfect reading and study nook. “We have a group of high school girls that comes every week,” Beth says of the growing band of regulars the Valles nurture. “To take a break, they wander around, smell things and have tea.” They’re so cute,” Arielle adds.

Arielle started making candles as a way to unwind after years of working multiple jobs in her 20s. She was living at her parents’ house with her brothers, sisters-in-law and a few close family friends. “It was like everyone decided, ‘Well, she's got this big house, we’ve got to fill the rooms,’” Beth says with a laugh.

To help Arielle out of a funk, she and her sister-in-law went to Hobby Lobby on a whim for candle-making supplies. Soon, Arielle started selling her organic, minimalist products at local markets. Mom would often help, and she brought along expertise from her lifelong interest in healing essential oils. After Beth retired from her career as a firefighter-paramedic in Broward County earlier this year, she moved to Cape Coral and went all in on her daughter’s venture.

Behind the coffee bar, two separate workspaces help the tight-knit duo keep up with Wallflower production. In the lab to the right, Beth translates her obsession with plant-derived oils into a beauty line, with an aloe-based shampoo and conditioner, moisturizing cold-pressed face oils and vitamin E-infused hand scrubs. Both women produce the flagship coconut soy-wax candles, and Arielle hand-casts the containers for their Signature Concrete Candles line. The younger Valle woman added concrete pottery to her repertoire a few years ago, eager to offer eco-friendly, refillable vessels.

[ngg src="galleries" ids="437" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]Working on-site, Arielle mixes rapid cement concrete with water to pour into molds, sourced from a fellow artist on Etsy. She manipulates the industrial material into organic shapes using plant-based pigments to yield earthy hues and marbled effects on miniature busts of Michaelangelo’s David, sculptural vases inspired by historic aristocrats, and an assortment of dinnerware and trinket catchalls. She’s now also dabbling in furniture-making, starting with a concrete tabletop for her home kitchen.

Arielle finds magic in the craft. “Literally, it was a bag of frickin’ sand a few hours ago, and now look how pretty it is,” she says, palming an in-process desert-hued candle jar. A water-based, food-safe sealant—her ‘secret ingredient’—gives the pieces their satin appearance, a nod to the collection’s Old World sensibility.

On the opposite side of the Valles’ workspaces, a moody hallway covered in dark, botanical wallpaper leads guests to a more experiential side of Wallflower: a yoga studio and workshop. The intimate studio—outfitted with 42 Birds’ biodegradable, chemical-free, grippy cork mats—hosts yoga classes and full moon meditation sessions. In the nearby candle-making workshop, another mural by Gabrielle cheekily plays off the shop’s name with the title of Stephen Chbosky’s book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. There, small groups learn mindfulness-centric practices, like the Hindi tradition of henna tattooing, terrarium building and candle-making. “If you take a candle class with me, I give you the science—the firefighter in me comes out—the measurement and why we do this,” Beth says, laughing. “[Arielle’s] just like ‘Eh, pour it in.’”

The space also serves as a DIY refill station for regulars who’ve got the process down and like to experiment with the add-ons from the shelf, stocked with scented oils, crystals, dried flowers and aromatic herbs. Everything in the space is designed around the women’s mission to promote holistic, Earth-friendly practices locally. “It’s always about the community,” Arielle says.

The post Cape Coral’s Best Shop for Eco-Friendly Homewares appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Stepping inside this Marco Island apartment, you’re prompted to take a deep, cleansing breath. Inhale, a space done in subtle variants of cream with every detail conceived to exalt the Gulf views—exhale, the worries of the day. A generous Burton James sofa covered in performance fabric beckons family and guests to enjoy the view of the Ten Thousand Islands in the living room. “We wanted your eye drawn out to the beautiful water without busy patterns interfering with the peaceful vibe,” the homeowner says.
Previously, the four-bedroom condo in the Veracruz at Cape Marco paraded an ornate, Tuscan-inspired style. For a while, the family lived with the pomp; their three sons were still in school, so they only visited their Marco retreat a few weeks a year. Now, with the boys off to college and the husband and wife logging about six months in their subtropical abode, they’ve commissioned a space created in their image.

Bonita Springs-based Signal House Builders connected the couple with Naples’ Little Palm Design Group, where interior designers Dawn Harmon and Kirsten Young took on the project. “The floor plan was dated, it was dark and broken up into smaller rooms, so the first thing we did was open it up,” Dawn says. Structurally, that meant removing a wall between the kitchen and living area, squaring off some of the bedrooms for a better use of space, redoing cabinetry and adding beams in the ceilings to house overhead lighting. The Little Palm team also replaced the condo’s baseboards, molding, flooring and hardware. “There’s not a surface that wasn’t touched,” Dawn says.

The directive was clear when adding back decorative touches: “Soft and creamy, light and airy, and comfortable,” Dawn says. She and Kirsten worked toward a plush, contemporary style with classic touches. “We wanted it to feel timeless, not trendy,” Dawn says. “Clean-lined, clean colors but with accents like crystal and marble—the sorts of materials you never get tired of.”
The tone is set from the entryway. The duo replaced the solid doors with five-panel frosted glass versions to allow light to flood in. Dawn laid the entry’s white oak flooring in a herringbone pattern to set the area apart from the rest of the home, lined the vestibule in grasscloth wallpaper for a rich effect and added furnishings with soft gold accents to enhance the laid-back elegance. “We tried to offer a yin and yang with textures—the nubby, textured wallpaper contrasts with the slick mirror; the earthier, warmer wood on the flooring is a counterpoint to the crystal chandelier,” Dawn says.

The tone-on-tone palette of neutrals continues throughout the home. Two living areas, the dining room and kitchen stretch beyond the vestibule, with quartzite, shellstone, walnut, glass and burnished brass creating a sophisticated but unfussy blend.

The ‘must’ for the great room was a giant sectional that could accommodate the family of five. “This is where everyone hangs out to watch TV or play games,” Dawn says. Low-slung side tables are integrated into the sectional, and a pair of ottomans have sliding tables on top to hold more food or drinks.
A feature wall, with a shellstone fireplace surround, holds the TV and walnut built-ins with a custom neutral-brown stain. “We worked really hard to get the red out with that finish,” Dawn says. The cabinetry is anchored with a Taj Mahal Quartzite, a nod to the Crystal Quartzite of the kitchen countertops. “It’s a nice way to bring in the elements of the island and offers a contrast to the wood,” she adds.

Warmly tinted walnut continues in the adjoining dining room’s built-in bar. “The bar is the highlight of the space,” says Dawn, noting that the doors can pocket back to display the content of the cabinets. Above the round table hangs a chandelier with clear extruded glass tubs and a burnished brass base.

On the other side of the room, the bright-white kitchen cabinets flaunt brass hardware, and the backsplash incorporates a wavy tile pattern—a nod to beachside living. The team added a second island to allow plenty of space for prep and entertaining. “One’s more a working island, the other is for gathering and eating,” Dawn says. The kitchen wall stretches down to a smaller family room that culminates in what the designer calls the “magic window.” “It has the prettiest view in the whole apartment,” she says. “That’s the artwork, the wow of the room.”

In every space—from the larger gathering areas to the more intimate bedrooms—the Little Palm team mixed textures. Textured chenille chairs, a wool rug, velvet pillows and fuzzy knit throws offer coziness without distracting from the view in the family area. In the primary bedroom, rod pocket drapes above floor-to-ceiling windows cover blinds and hardware, and a silk bedcover, faux fur throw and pale leather bench soften the stark white walls. “They make the room feel gentle, serene and quiet,” Dawn says. “After all, that’s why they come here.”

Builder: Signal House Builders
Interior Design: Little Palm Design Group
Photography: Diana Todorova

[ngg src="galleries" ids="435" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"] 

The post A Luxe, Minimalist Family Retreat on Marco Island appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Beyond the turquoise waters and wide stretches of sugary sand, the charm of Boca Grande is sealed by the porched and columned facades that convey the bygone days of Old Florida—and its charming Southern drawl.

Sandy Stilwell Youngquist has been enchanted by the quaint town at the end of Gasparilla Island since she strolled under the boughs of Banyan Street, near the Downtown Boca Grande Historic District, in her early 20s (she says the tree-lined way is the perfect spot for photos—the street’s so scenic couples often choose it to exchange “I do’s”).

[caption id="attachment_70924" align="alignleft" width="200"] Boca Grande’s historic charm, seen in places like the circa-1911 The Gasparilla Inn & Club, has beckoned Captiva Island restaurateur Sandy Stilwell Youngquist since her early 20s.[/caption]

It’s no surprise the Captiva Island queen—who owns an inn, five restaurants and a shopping center on the nearby barrier island—chose Boca Grande to expand her epicurean empire in late 2022. A love for preservation and exalting Old Florida is at the heart of Sandy’s ventures.

On November 1, weeks after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc, she opened her second Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande’s old train depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Look out for her third locale in the new terminal of Southwest Florida International Airport in 2025.)

“To this day, it’s a breath of fresh air when I go over the bridge in my car or pull up to the docks in our boat—it feels like stepping back in time to a place that is not overdeveloped or overcommercialized,” Sandy says, emphasizing how Boca Grande offers a perfect blend of nature, small businesses and beautiful homes. 

She wants others to discover the town’s appeal and how it’s possible for an area with blocks upon blocks of multimillion-dollar estates to remain unpretentious. Much of it starts with the people who frequent the island, a quiet-luxury crowd that likes to drink their sweet tea rather than spill it and ride around on golf carts before a few rounds of backgammon with a Gulf-inspired Boca Punch in hand.

No visit to the town is complete without seeing one of Sandy’s favorite spots, The Gasparilla Inn & Club, notably a longtime winter retreat for the Bush family. The restaurateur urges venturing into the striking Colonial Revival main building on Palm Avenue and booking lunch or dinner at one of the inn’s iconic dining venues, such as The Pink Elephant—called “The Pink” by locals.

[caption id="attachment_70930" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mom-and-pop shops like Boca Blooms florist give the island its character. The canopies of trees that envelop thoroughfares like Banyan Street make for ideal photo-ops.[/caption]

In a time and place where anything goes sartorially, the inn clings to tradition, with a formal dress code that requires whites on the croquet lawns and collars and/or jackets throughout most other spaces. Sandy recalls a few years back when she and her husband, Tim, invited friends to celebrate the Kentucky Derby at the inn. While Boca Grande’s ‘season’ was long over the first weekend in May, they dressed to the nines to take in all the pre-race coverage at main floor lounge BZ’s. The inn indulges Sandy’s penchant for history and Old Florida charm. “It’s beautiful and exudes elegance with its white rattan furniture, pinks, greens and turquoise,” she says. “It’s very reminiscent of Southern hospitality.”

As she ventures deeper into the island, Sandy loves how innately walkable—and bike- and golf-cart- friendly—the community is (rental spots abound, but there’s not a single gas station). “You can park your car and bike all over the island,” she says.

Her favorite trail, the Boca Grande Bike Path, transformed the old railroad tracks, dating from the Gilded Age, into a verdant rail-trail that flows into Gasparilla Island State Park, home to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum (a unique, two-story, square-shaped, shingled structure with a light nestled in a widow’s walk).

You can ride the trail to and from the historic train station that’s now home to Sandy’s Keylime Bistro and Loose Caboose ice cream parlor. The depot, which ushered industrialists and winter residents until its closure in 1958, still marks the heart of Boca Grande. “You can shop, you can dine; you can even bring a picnic. But to me, the dining is half the fun,” Sandy says.

Aside from her place (known for crab cake benedicts, grouper sandwiches and cocktails), she cites a tiny spot called The Temptation Restaurant that has a great wine list and a sign urging “Please, no profanity.” The bar Miller’s Dockside at Boca Grande Marina also draws her and Tim when they dock their boat after a day of exploring. The couple often opts to spend the night aboard their vessel, and Miller’s provides a lively scene in the evenings.

[caption id="attachment_70927" align="aligncenter" width="300"] “To this day, it’s a breath of fresh air when I go over the bridge in my car or pull up to the docks in our boat—it feels like stepping back in time.” —Sandy Stilwell Youngquist[/caption]

When it comes to dressing for days out (or picking up a souvenir), Sandy mines hidden gems. Sunsets of Boca Grande is her stop for cute handbags and resort wear; or, she’ll head to The Palm on Park - A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store to channel the preppy-pretty Florida look. She wouldn’t let you leave town before swinging by the 1916 emporium Fugate’s and the town’s oldest marina, Whidden’s, which covers all your bait-and-tackle needs, along with offering a solid dose of local color via old photographs and artifacts.

[caption id="attachment_70923" align="aligncenter" width="199"] From the recently renovated The Gasparilla Inn
& Club to The Palm on Park — A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Boca Grande suits Sandy’s love of history and preppy-pretty Florida style.[/caption]

Sandy delights in Boca Grande’s history and many singularities. Though the entrepreneur’s well- traveled through Gulf waters, she says there’s something special about witnessing the leaping silver-back tarpon that make the deepwater Boca Grande Pass renowned for sportfishing. She recalls springtime tournaments so packed with boats that you could hop from one deck to another, and likely be welcomed aboard by each new host.

[caption id="attachment_70934" align="alignleft" width="199"] Weeks after Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida in 2022, Sandy persevered, opening the second location for her long-loved Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande’s old train depot.[/caption]

In many ways, Boca Grande is ideal for mariners, and that speaks to the core of this ocean-loving gal. Only boaters can access the island’s best beach—a crystal-clear swatch surrounding a sandbar at the former rail bridge on the island’s north side. It’s only fitting the best beach evokes nostalgia in a town that celebrates its cherished past.  

[caption id="attachment_70925" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The longtime Captiva Island businesswoman likes to visit Miller’s Dockside bar at Boca Grande Marina after a long day—or night—on the water with her husband, Tim.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70935" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Sandy says there’s something special about witnessing the leaping silver-back tarpon that make the Boca Grande Pass renowned for sportfishing.[/caption]

Photography by Anna Nguyen

The post An Insider’s Guide to Boca Grande appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Fort Myers-based architect Joyce Owens captures the modernist soul of Southwest Florida in her designs. For this Sanibel stunner, the architect exalts dimensional lines and light and shadow. Joyce’s signature sense of whimsy pops via a statement orange wall that perfectly backdrops summer’s technicolored, subtly sensuous looks. Oscar de la Renta gown; Amiri silk bowling shirt; AREA jewelry.

Photography by Omar Cruz

Styling by Veronica Porras

[caption id="attachment_70918" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Even the boldest styles go flawlessly when you consider architectural design principles of balance, rhythm, scale, and unity. Here, a pleated, plissé hoodie mimics the movement of the butterflies, and the ruffled gloves create cohesion with the headpiece. ISSEY MIYAKE hoodie; PR SOLO costume headpiece and gloves.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70921" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Staying covered is essential in the sun; light, silky fabrics ensure you don’t overheat. Go full-length with your hemline and sleeves, but keep it playful as you channel midcentury Palm Springs vibes with abstract patterns and sinuous lines. PUCCI dress; Alexander McQueen umbrella.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70912" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Another architectural principle to steal from the architect—work with contrast. Juxtapose materials, colors and styles to surprise and delight. Oscar de la Renta caftan; AREA earrings; PR SOLO vintage cuffs and hat. Left: Silvia Tcherassi yellow top and skirt; Eugenia Kim hat; Lada Legina 3D Printed bracelet; PR SOLO costume jacket.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70913" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Just like a statement wall can be all a home needs to go from masterful to divine, so can statement jewelry elevate an elegant black dress. Balenciaga asymmetric cape-effect maxi dress; Lada Legina 3D Printed ring; the stylist’s African necklaces, cuffs and headpiece.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70916" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Experiment with proportion and scale to maximize visual impact. ALPANA NEERAJ jumpsuit; Ariat hat; PR SOLO private collection costume stole.[/caption]

The post SWFL Fashion: Summer’s Most Colorful—and Unexpected—Styles appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

The cure to what ails us is often found when we don’t settle, when we forge through new territory and keep going. The benefit to journeying four blocks south of Second Street in Downtown Fort Myers is a simple, white building in the Gardner’s Park district. Once a grocery store, the nearly century-old space is now home to the boutique and wine shop Remedies Parlor. If not for the inscription reading ‘Provisions,’ ‘Notions’ and ‘Potions’ on the facade, you might think you’re in the wrong place. But, exploration has rewards.  

For vintage and modern decor aficionados, Remedies provides a den of inspiration. The shop was founded on about a dozen brands that husband-wife duo Anthony D’Andrea and Tyna Swingler frequently bought for personal use before opening the shop. “We wanted to create a place where we wanted to go—a place to shop, drink and relax with friends,” Tyna says. Inside the gothic-meets-naturalist locale, Chicago-made Tatine artisan candles mix with Anima Mundi Herbal elixirs infused with ethically grown botanicals; Victorian-style tea sets cheekily etched with expletives; and French Délices Métisses cocktail mixers, laden with fresh herbs. Giftable, small-batch dried floral bundles, perfumes and artisan chocolates are sprinkled throughout.  

[caption id="attachment_70042" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Photography by Christina Bankson[/caption]

The front of the shop is devoted to decorative items, while the back room—a dimly lit antechamber with antique trays and furnishings, candelabras and vintage milk glass—has larger furnishings and a bottle shop stocked with natural and low-intervention wines and craft beer. Just beyond, a secret garden overflows with philodendrons, air plants and all manner of cacti, which Anthony sources from small Florida growers.  

Atmosphere is everything for the couple. Displays are staged in homey vignettes and grouped with like items on shelves, with nearly everything being shoppable (furniture, plants and all). Overhead, moody indie favorites like Lana del Rey mingle with gritty Delta blues from Mississippi icon Son House and the scent of freshly burned palo santo that fills the space. “We almost called it ‘Open House Parlor’ because that’s what we want it to be,” Tyna says.  

Tyna and Anthony met in the ’90s while working at Urban Outfitters in Chicago. After moving to Brooklyn and Jersey City, they relocated to Fort Myers in 2004 when Tyna got a job as a stylist with Chico’s. They opened Remedies in 2017 after she got laid off from her corporate gig. “We realized Fort Myers needed more options,” she says. While both of them have a hand in all aspects of the shop, Anthony does most of the buying, focusing on smaller, sustainably driven brands. “That’s what I love when we travel, that sense of discovery when you find an independent shop filled with things you don’t see anywhere else,” he says.  

For a duo that has been through every level of corporate retail in a handful of cities, the drive lies in creating an impactful experience and building community through their boutique. The shop made it through the perils of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian thanks largely to their ability to expand Remedies beyond a storefront.  

[caption id="attachment_70041" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Photography by Christina Bankson[/caption]

In the garden, wax-dripping candles illuminate the Old World space, adorned with Grecian nymphs, a long communal table and bistro sets. The couple often partners with fellow local creatives to host immersive experiences in the lush garden—vegan cake tastings; pop-ups with the inventive, vegan-friendly roving hot dog stand The Wurst Street Dogs; bonsai classes; and meditation sessions are common occurrences. For the recent “A Night in the Garden of Good & Evil!” event, burlesque and pole dancing performances accompanied a natural wine tasting.  

On weekends, you’ll often find a cluster of regulars in the garden, communing over low-intervention wines and thoughtful, nonalcoholic selections. “The world is crazy, so we don’t talk politics here,” Tyna says. “It’s a safe place for people to come and relax, get away from ordinary life and enjoy themselves.”  

Shopping for home goods, sipping and socializing are not panaceas, but when correctly administered, they are restorative boosts to keep you going. 

The post Fort Myers’ Modern Gothic Dream Boutique appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Few places do big, bold gems better than Provident Jewelry. The boutique focuses largely on opulent, statement-making pieces, and half of the sprawling Naples storefront (they also have locations in Fort Myers and Palm Beach) is devoted to their most singular, high-value treasures. When we went looking for the grandest jewels in town, we knew to look no further than Provident’s ‘Dream Factory’ showroom, which is fittingly decked out with a posh bar for private clients to sip Champagne while browsing the brilliant vitrines.

Artfully walking the line between classic and contemporary, Provident’s collection is filled with precious adornments you’ll want to pass down. The jeweler has a knack for Art Deco-inspired designs that, with their bold shapes and luscious gemstones, feel fitting today—and forever.

[caption id="attachment_68888" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Provident stands out for its cachet of exclusive designs from brands like Buccellati, Chopard and Cartier. The jeweler is the only one in North America to carry Gucci’s Flora fine jewelry collection. Pictured: Gucci Flora Flower Necklace with 7.08 carats of pave diamonds, and the Flora Ring with 3.84 carats of pave diamonds—all with VVS clarity. (Photo by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68889" align="aligncenter" width="850"] White Gold Ring with a 1.72-carat, pear-shape, fancy intense yellow diamond. (Photo by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68890" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Collectors clamor for pieces from famed 1920s jeweler Raymond C. Yard—especially his whimsical brooches. From left: Platinum Rabbit Golfer Brooch with 269 sapphires, diamonds and rubies totaling 2.42 carats. Rabbit Waiter Brooch in platinum and yellow gold with 2.23 carats of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. (Photo by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68891" align="aligncenter" width="681"] Art Deco style balances intricacy and symmetry, allowing ornate jewels to keep a subdued cool. Chopard 36mm Happy Diamonds watch with 5.93 carats of diamonds, including seven of the brand’s iconic ‘dancing diamonds,’ and Happy Icon earrings containing mother-of-pearl inlay and two, 0.20-carat floating diamonds. (Photo by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68892" align="aligncenter" width="731"] Bracelet with 945 diamonds totaling 7.47 carats. (Photo by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

The post For Lovers of Bold, Beautiful Diamonds, There’s No Place like Provident Jewelry appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

[caption id="attachment_68884" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Tucked away in a back room at District Naples, you’ll find the bar’s hush-hush Staff Only speakeasy. Here, Art Deco decor evokes an era when meeting for cocktails was an event and high fashion was the sip du jour. Pictured: Robert Abi Nader gown, Patricia Robalino Palm Beach jewelry. Right: Lena Erziak Couture gown, Patricia Robalino jewelry, Christian Louboutin shoes. (Photo by Omar Cruz)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68885" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Jewels aren’t the only statement-making accessories this spring. The setting calls for channeling 1930s avant-garde icons, like Elsa Schiaparelli, by capping your ensemble with a vintage turban. Robert Abi Nader hand-embroidered runway dress; Nayibe Warchausky Limoges porcelain and gold pins; Aquazzura shoes. (Photo by Omar Cruz)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68886" align="aligncenter" width="819"] A hand-embroidered caftan is the epitome of effortless glamour. Think Princess Grace of Monaco dressing for a night at the Casino de Monte Carlo. Judith Cabrera silk and crystal poker dress; Patricia Robalino diamond necklace, gold and diamond ring and earrings; Paco Rabanne pendant. (Photo by Omar Cruz)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68882" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Texture beats color in this all-ivory ensemble, a modern nod to Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Le Smoking. Wade Allyn White jacket, pants and top; Patricia Robalino diamond earrings and ring; Saint Laurent tray and gold papers; stylist’s vintage hat. (Photo by Omar Cruz)[/caption]

Styling by Veronica Porras

Location Staff Only at District bar in Naples  

Hair and Makeup Duality Artistry

Model Eliza Finskaya, Wilhelmina Miami  

The post A Return to Glam in Naples appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

For husband-wife team Rasit and Ilkay Turk, the best art is inspired by the past. The pair behind Fort Myers’ The House of Turk & Turk silk accessories line sparked buzz when they expanded into the home last year. Their third homeware collection, The Garden of Nile—launched in February—connects to the brand’s wearable art line, with the same name and similar print as Turk & Turk’s best-selling scarf.

Hailing from Istanbul, Turkey, a former capital of the Roman and Byzantine empires, the couple draws inspiration from ancient cultures. When she painted The Garden of Nile motif, Ilkay thought about the Obelisk of Theodosius, transported from Egypt to her home country during Roman rule. That was more than two decades ago, when Ilkay had a fashion line in Dallas, and the emblem remains equally stylish. The design’s anchoring chariot racer graphic recalls the Roman aristocracy’s sport, and an abstract lily flower nods to the symbol of purity in Byzantine art.

Keeping in line with the Turks’ penchant for vibrant colors, the pieces (from pillows to plates to placemats) blend the brand’s signature orange hue with Egyptian blue—a symbolic element for Egyptians, who first produced blue dye, the world’s oldest synthetic color, around 2500 B.C.

Rasit and Ilkay similarly commit to innovation but always with a focus on time-honored craftsmanship. They worked with global artisans they found while scouting bazaars, boutiques and the web to design the pieces, which can mix and match with one-off treasures the couple can custom create, like cobalt crystal wine glasses or handpainted, mirrored serving trays.

Within The Garden of Nile, placemats are adorned by an Indian sea glass bead artist; the 100 percent silk twill that defines The House of Turk & Turk fashion line covers pillows; luxe tablecloths are made of silk sateen; and for the plates, they worked with a fine china manufacturer that agreed to the brand’s hallmark small-batch production. Commitment to well-crafted, limited-edition pieces (they’re only making about 15 sets of every item) is ingrained in the Turks from their early days in Istanbul. “When you live in that [rich] culture, you are obligated to respectfully create the best,” Rasit says. 

The post These Fort Myers-Made Tablewares Gorgeously Recall Far-Flung Locales and Ancient Civilizations appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Dominic Lacquaniti communicates daily with the five makers in his Marche, Italy, showroom to hand-mold, hammer, burnish, press, weave and emboss every element of his highly collectible shoes. Dominic launched the D.Lacquaniti shoe boutique next to his men’s atelier in 2023, driven by one mission: to create footwear that competes with the craftsmanship and beauty of a Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo but with the elusive benefit of comfort. “Women deserve to look good and feel good,” he says. 

Even the slinkiest D.Lacquaniti heels are practical, thanks to strategic padding, buttery soft suede lining, paper-thin 100% leather insoles, and 6 millimeters of give in the width. “As women walk, dance, drink, live during the day, the foot expands—you need room,” Dominic says. The blissfully pinch-free Giovanna showcases Venetian silk and handmade crystals, arranged to recall a sea urchin.

Every design is inspired by a woman he admires. The Sofia is named for his goddaughter and embodies glamour icon Sophia Loren with its sultry shape and cheeky, knotted strap. Always one to exuberantly follow his whims, Dominic added the girotacco (the gold ring under the heel) as a final touch. “The shoe needed it,” he says. 

[caption id="attachment_66647" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photography by Anna Nguyen)[/caption]

While no two D.Lacquaniti shoes are the same (everything—down to the box the shoes come in is made by hand), the Irene stands out for its originality, with salvaged pieces of 20-year-old leather lining the heel. “I hate waste,” Dominic says. “[When we found the leather], it was bits and pieces, but we had just enough to make it work.” The patterns recall Dominic’s mom, Irene: “I found a picture of my mom and me in Florence in 1997, and she’s wearing these casual Italian sandals. My mom is vibrant and always telling jokes, so I had to make something as vibrant as her.”

“I like to create families,” Dominic says. The Ida and Emma may not be cut from the same cloth, but they carry the same bejeweled buckle that can be removed and worn on your belt. “Because I’m a tailor, I don’t do cheap stuff,” he says. The Ida’s (above) chunky feel makes the pair extra-comfortable and suitable from day to night. The Emma (below) is shown in a fun Cocorita color.

All the leather comes from highly regulated, top Italian tanneries, and no more than 20 pairs are made of each design’s colorway. The Carla—inspired by a waitress Dominic met in Italy with wild, curly hair—features 6.5 feet of straight leather, with a rare metallic coating that requires meticulous application to deliver the lustrous sheen. The designer is all about materials. This fall, look out for his Sartorial collection, with old-school men’s textiles, like pin-stripe linen and glen plaid, adorning feminine kicks.

The post The Most Beautiful AND Comfortable Shoes in Naples appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Ethereal romanticism becomes opulent amid the lush landscapes of Naples Botanical Garden—just in time for the 20th anniversary of the oasis’ Hats in the Garden fundraiser.

Featured Styles (in the order they appear below). Click on an image to enlarge:

Sheer Opulence

As you dress for the landmark Hats in the Garden luncheon this year, consider pairing a floral fascinator (stylist’s own) with a sculptural silhouette that evokes a flower at the stage of sepal expansion.

This ethereal masterpiece, by Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta, hugs feminine curves before flowing out and away at the hip.

A Lena Erziak couture gown captures a flower in full bloom and a sleek stem, creating balance. Lisa Nik earrings add a delicate flourish.

In Plume

What’s prettier than a bird of paradise fully unfurled in a Southwest Florida garden? Not much. But this Lena Erziak couture feathered cape captures the magic, with cascading gossamer layers embodying the flower’s avian beauty and grace. Lisa Nik bracelet and earrings lend an enticing touch of shine.

In Situ

Physical movement isn’t required for fabric to convey a kinetic sense of florescence. Gaurav Gupta achieves the effect with sequin-embellished fabric trailing from the couture gown’s sculpted, swirled shoulder to the sweeping train. Chunky Patricia Robalino earrings and rings add to the exaggerated glamour.

Pop quiz: Can you identify this mystical spot at Naples Botanical Garden? It’s an ancient Indonesian temple, recreated in Bali and re-pieced at the garden by the same artisans. Find the scene linked to various paths in the Marcia and L. Bates Lea Asian Garden.

Color Story

New York designer Daseph strategically layered this sheer top with yellow sequins for whimsical luminosity. Botanic earrings and rings by Patricia Robalino ground the look in the verdant setting.

Structured yet delicate, this Silvia Tcherassi coral couture dress gets you a floral print with a distinct, abstract interpretation. Earrings and rings by Lisa Nik. Plumage headdresses were crafted on-set by the stylist.

Root of Life

A riot of flowers brings magic to the mundane, so if you’re going to do flowers, do them big. Forego the standard prints in favor of artful, sewn-on, silk flowers. For the bold, consider this intricately beaded, silver-laced, floral couture catsuit by Peruvian designer Augusto Manzanares.

Garden of Earthly Delights

A Silvia Tcherassi ombre gown is refined while making a major statement, especially when paired with a vintage turban from Fly Boutique and jewels by Patricia Robalino.

Designer Lena Erziak draws from mycelium and its complex networks (as precise and delicate as a haute couture design, she says) for her whimsical gowns. Go all in on the aquatic hue of the billowing number with turquoise Patricia Robalino earrings and a ring. 

Symbiosis

Our stylist Veronica Porras says experimentation is the hallmark of sophistication. Dare to go white with Gaurav Gupta’s swirling couture gown and ring by Patricia Robalino.

Guarantee your win in the best-hat contest at Hats in the Garden with this dramatic veiled creation by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward. His gold couture bodysuit pairs beautifully with vanilla-hued, wide leg pants to tone down the glam for the daytime event. Earrings and layered necklaces by Lisa Nik.

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Location Naples Botanical Garden

Photography Omar Cruz

Styling by Veronica Porras

Hair and Makeup Duality Artisty

Model Mackenzie, Wilhelmina

The post Naples Botanical Garden Like You’ve Never Seen It appeared first on Gulfshore Life.