Ivanhoe Village

OK, I’m just going to say it… there are some cool stores in the Lake Ivanhoe Village!

I’ll confess, too, two of my absolute favorite furniture stores are among the mix. But in general I just forget what a cool and interesting group of stores are all around. Today . . . lucky me . . . I visited quite a few of them and this is what I found.

First I popped into A & T Antiques. I hadn’t been in there in a while and I’d forgotten how BIG it is. So much great antique and vintage stuff . . . you can go old school antiques in dark wood or find something more "Mad Men" cool, inspiring a cocktail, if not (NO!) a cigarette. I’ll have to say, too, that they have one VERY friendly black cat in back who reminded me of our sweet kitty, Serial (as in . . . Killah!) we lost in 2010. (He also went by Kitty Politi, in tribute to that great one hit wonder band of the 80s.) He was all over me and the girls were all over my shoes when I got home. But I think what really jumped out at me about A & T was their wonderful selection of stained glass windows. There is no easier way to add charm to a room than to add a piece of stained glass. Hang them in a window and you still get light but now also have a new architectural element! I had a number hanging around in a previous, 1930s Spanish style house so I know of what I speak. Special shout out to Ms. Denise Kenon, who was there tending her display portion of the store. She’s a home fashion consultant and specializes in accessories, comprising a complete look . . . . so if you’re looking for such help, check out her section just as you come in the doors, but before you head out back. You’ll find her cards displayed on a piece of furniture adjacent to the aisle.

Next, don’t mean to be preachy but it was my role long ago to scrutinize some of this, so I’m going to simply remind business owners that the people you hire and / or how you interact with customers often times makes all the difference. In the last two days I’ve been in a number of new businesses and have had great chats with employees and owners and even a few customers. AT LEAST GREET PEOPLE! Being friendly makes all the difference in life . . . . and if you’re in retail it’s quite possibly your most important product. I did national customer service programs for GTE Wireless / Verizon in a former life . . . . ignoring someone or not being friendly is not wise. There, said that. No, I won’t share any more. Not necessary.

NOW . . . . on to two of my FAVORITE furniture stores anywhere!

I’ve been in Washburn Imports LOTS. If I had a regular doctor I think he might forbid me from going there or at least limit my visits. Probably not the best for my heart to race the way it does every time I go in there. This stuff sings to me. I once ended up next to a guy on a Southwest flight for about four hours and he insisted we’d known each other in a former life. (And my other half was no help as I TRIED to get him to shut up.) Anyway, perhaps we knew each other from past lives somewhere in Southeast Asia. That could help explain why the small town North Carolina boy grew up into the guy who can’t seem to get enough of Asian and Middle Eastern. The cabinets, the tables, the figures, the wall carvings, the light fixtures . . . . on and on and on . . . . I could just move in. And now that they’ve got that Imperial Bar, food trucks several nights a week, dang, I really could! I told Paul, whom I’ve known for some time – I think he helped deliver one of my previous purchases years and years ago – they also scored my first COOLEST THING I’VE SEEN TODAY . . . . these amazing oil drum mirrors.

Very industrial looking, wonderful patinas, worn . . . . cool as heck! AND . . . . some other light fixtures which should be in your beach house / condo if you have one. Giant sea anemones or the like . . . . something on a coral reef for sure. Soft lighting . . . . Gorgeous!

Next, might as well keep the heart rate up now that it’s elevated, I went almost right next door to Living Morocco. I’ve also known Ali, the owner there, for some time. Moroccan lanterns and henna lamps, bowls and rugs, tagines and mirrors, fountains and everything else . . . . yee haw! Yeah, you’re noticing a theme, huh? The colors and patterns, the artistry which goes into making functional pieces for your home or patio, they’re either statement pieces if you have a few or they deliver big impact when grouped. For me the pieces are beautiful and draw attention for their intricate patterns and details, but then don’t just draw attention but draw you in, closer. I bought a huge Moroccan wrought iron and mosaic table from him years ago for our lanai which has never moved an inch since . . . . it weighs a TON! Talk about appropriate outdoor Florida furniture! Ali goes to Morocco at least a few times a year to purchase all the items in his store and just got back from a trip recently. He’s got great stuff now, but check him out in a few months and there’ll be even more as a new container arrives. I happen to know he’s a pretty good Moroccan cook, too, so if ask him to show you how to put those tagines to work maybe you’ll get really lucky! One more thing, ladies . . . he has some AMAZING leather and metal belts you won’t see anywhere else and they are all $25. Run, don’t walk. Take the heels off and move faster!

On that note . . . I hopped across the street from there to Déjà Vu. If you like vintage clothing and have never been to Déjà Vu, how have you resisted? Robin, the owner, has operated this same business in this same space now for nearly 26 years! She’s a hoot and she buys vintage – says summer’s HOT for accessory pieces – as well as sells them. I LUV looking around in vintage clothing stores for basically three reasons . . . . 1) things which make me laugh (HELLO . . . 60s / 70s), 2) things which make me smile and remember that there was also a lot in the 70s / 60s and beyond that was classic and COOL, and 3) stuff which reminds me of my childhood! That last one is big with an aging population. I know people who have bought things simply because it’s reminded them of an aunt or grandfather, someone they knew back when. It’s a bridge to another time. And, too, it was a time when we had this strange thing called: MADE IN AMERICA. Drop in and see Robin and I guarantee you’ll be glad for one reason or another.

My last stop was one for which I will now admit I was not – and could not have been – fully prepared. I dropped in just next door at Boom-Art where I met Glenn. Glenn is apparently pretty well known around and I’m wondering how it is that I’d not met him sooner. Glenn’s history is amazing, but so is the fact that Glenn and his wife make ALL of the art you will see in the store. It’s colorful, it’s fun and, like Glenn, I think, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is something for everyone in this store. The art is often big, and much of it is amusing. Glenn was a former Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus clown and there are many pictures around of his exploits back then . . . . and, well, that image also appears – at least today – on Glenn’s own belt buckle. Glenn’s produced commissioned art for many well-known people, including Shaquille O’Neal and many, many others. He’s also designed movie sets, helped produce well-known commercials like Charmin’s Mr. Whipple and so much more. Glenn’s done a lot and is still producing art and entertaining all the while. We joked a bit that maybe the one thing Glenn hasn’t done much of in his life is BREATHE. Glenn is a talker. And when you are talking to Glenn, I assure you, you will not be bored. Stop in at Boom-Art to check out his wonderful work, let Glenn tell you about it, his amazing life and every once and a while, just remind him . . . . . breathe.

Today’s ‘Give A Dog A Home’ is Pumba, via Pet Rescue by Judy. He’s a dark-haired angel. If you like his picture, you’re bound to LUV Pumba. Check out this link for lots of info and more pictures of this gorgeous boy! http://www.petrescuebyjudy.com/animals/detail?AnimalID=3861245#animalOtherPictures

Tomorrow staying around Park Avenue for a list of projects. Planning to have lunch with Erika @ Bistro. Hmmmmmm . . . . . wondering if there might be some German leftovers!

Send me your ideas . . . your feedback! This is meant to be about US, and I’m hoping you’ll contribute some stuff!