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Window Shopping At The Art Of Simple In Seaside

I’m currently hanging and shooting the canopy that I made for over Clara’s bed (ahh! it just might be cute!) so I’ll be back with those photos and the whole rundown for you tomorrow. I was actually thinking about writing about September 11th today. I lived in NYC at the time, and it was one of the most life-changing days that I’ve ever experienced, but for some reason, even 12 years later, I just can’t put words together about it. So I’m sending out lots of NYC pride and love to everyone affected by such a horrible day and trying to drum up the courage to talk about it (I’m reminding myself how healing it was to share Clara’s birth story). Maybe this afternoon.

So I have a window shopping adventure to share with you guys this morning instead. It’s been way too long since our last virtual shopping spree. As most of you know, these aren’t paid or perked or anything – we just walk through a store with a camera and take pics of whatever inspires us for you guys. And I especially love discovering small, tucked away, one-of-a-kind places like this. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: The Art of Simple.

Window Shop Logo Card

I stumbled across this sweet little store while we were on vacation in Destin (it’s in downtown Seaside for any interested locals) and I had to break out the camera the second we walked in. The shopkeeper was so nice, and everything in there was so inventive and inspiring. So if you’re a local – dude, get in there! But even if you’re nowhere near Florida, I’d imagine you can give them a call if you fall in love with something in the hopes that they’ll ship it – or just draw inspiration from the eye candy for your next DIY project.

For example, some of their white bookcases were backed with beadboard and I thought it gave them a really nice crisp look. Some added interest, if you will, instead of that flimsy back panel that most bookcases come with. I also loved the color palette of the store. Lots of white with hits of red, gray, and aqua – among other splashes of color in the fun things that they sold of course.

Window Shop Store Overall

There was this cool accent wall along the back of the store too (white subway tile with gray grout) and I loved it with the old barn-board-looking floors in their gray-washed tone. They actually weren’t even wood, they were stick down laminate! Couldn’t you see a wall of subway tile with these floors in a laundry room or a bathroom? Yes please.

Window Shop Store Overall2

As sort of an exclamation point in the back of the shop there was this INSANE (in such a good way) red beaded chandelier. I wanted to run off to Paris with it. I didn’t catch the price and I’m sure it’s not cheap, but if it’s not in your budget perhaps you can draw inspiration from it and spray paint a beaded chandelier with candy apple red spray paint? Urban Outfitters and PB Teen usually sell small beaded chandeliers that might look like this gal’s little sister with a new paint job.

Window Shop Red Chandelier

They also had these awesome signs. I loved that they were black with ivory lettering (feels like a modern and understated-cool take on some of the more colorful/bright signs that people sell these days). I also really liked what they said. How much fun is The Laundry for a laundry room or The Shanty for your entryway among a gallery of frames? Every house deserves a cute nickname.

Window Shop Signs

This chick had me at hello. I wanted to bring it home but John nipped that in the bird bud. I’ve seen some pretty amazing Pinterest DIYs for making lighted signs though (never seen a chick yet, but I bet it could be adapted!).

Window Shop Chick

There were also some really cool globe ideas, both for folks who want to walk in and snatch them up or for someone who might already have an old globe but wants to tweak it with a little at-home project. This one appeared to be painted with blue paint and rubbed with some distressing glaze and then the countries looked to be painted on with black paint (or drawn on with a big black marker that was outlined in a gold sharpie).

Window Shop Globe1

And this one was covered entirely in chalkboard paint and then what appeared to be a turquoise paint pen was used to sketch the countries as well as the measurements along the equator.

Window Shop Globe2

These old metal letters had the perfect amount of patina. And I LOVE the idea of using an old metal caddy like this in the laundry room for sorting clothes.

Window Shop Letters Caddy

These lights were really interesting to me too! I even ended up chatting with the shopkeeper about them, who told me that the colors of the flowers on each pendant are customizable!

Window Shop Lights

She whipped out these rings o’ crystals and I was in awe. So if you’re redoing your kitchen and just want a pendant for over the sink with three of your accent colors (say they’re emerald green, teal, and navy) you can make it happen by ordering one of these babies. They weren’t cheap (I think around $350?) but in a spot where you just need one, it might be a fun splurge, especially if you can justify it with savings in other areas (like if you save $500 by buying all of your appliances in bulk).

Window Shop Light Crystals

These simple little mussel shells were $9 and I loved that they were sold with other soap holders so the idea for a unique way to use them was sort of planted in your brain. They had a really pretty pink color going on with some bronze. I bet they’d look awesome in an old school bathroom full of black and white tile on the floor and a white pedestal sink.

Windowshop Mussel Shell9bucks

These were legit marquee letters from the 1940s, and they were heavy and metal and completely cool looking. Predictably, John was drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

Window Shop 40s Marquis

This charming painting of an old gas pump was one of my favorite things in the whole store. I loved the rustic wood frame around it and the pretty red and teal colors. Even the red easel that it sat on was crazy inspiring to me.

Window Shop Painting

So there it is. A little shuffle though a sleepy beach town store that I’m still thinking about a few weeks later. Hope you guys enjoyed the virtual shopping spree! Is anyone else discovering new boutiques to ogle? If there are any here in VA, tell me all about them!

Comments

  4. Laura says

    Lovely!
    I have mussel shells on my nighttable and on my bathroom counter to leave my rings/earrings at night when I’m not in the mood for putting them where they belong.

    Reply

  6. Evelyn says

    Hi Sherry,
    Check out the cute shops in Urbanna,Va., especially during the first Saturday in November when the little Mayberry-of-a-town hosts the annual Oyster Festival!

    Reply

  7. Joseph says

    I don’t know if you guys walk around Cary street much but we just discovered this cute little store that’s apparently been there since May. I think it’s called Orange and it’s right next to World of Mirth. They had tons of cool stuff in there (like pillows with classic pen & ink style designs, and some really inspiring painted furniture) and it’s all from local artists.

    Reply

  8. Megan says

    Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia! Roanoke is such a cool city in general! ! It would be fun to take Clara to the Mill Mountain star and explore downtown as well! Lots to do! :)

    Reply

  9. Mary Beth says

    Omg that shop is to DIE for!!! I could have literally spent an entire day in there! Amazing… All of it.
    And it’s funny that you were thinking of writing about 9/11 today… after years of sifting through the memories I finally wrote it all down this morning for the first time.

    You’re right, it was very difficult but it felt lovely to get it all out and share it with the world. I think we all died a little inside that day, no even up here in Canada.

    http://hystericallyeverafter.com/2013/09/11/imagine/
    MB

    Reply

  10. Katie says

    What an adorable little shop! We are planning to go to the Destin area next summer, we’ll have to check it out. Anyway…perfect timing on your “window shopping” post. We just moved into a rehabbed old home that is very neutral, and I was JUST THINKING a red and blue/teal color scheme (with lots of neutrals mixed in) might work well. I hop online, and your post was there. Couldn’t be more perfectly timed or inspiring! Especially the tree and gas pump artwork. Thanks so much!

    Reply

  12. Holley says

    I live about 45 minutes away from Seaside, and it’s easily one of my favorite places! I was there about a month ago with a friend, and we spent at least 4 hours wandering through the shops, full of awe and holding tight to my debit card, and somehow we seem to have missed this one. Guess it’s time to go back! :)

    Reply

  14. Gillian says

    I love going into shops like this! Worth a trip to Destin just to see it. And, yes, there is most certainly a new boutique you should check out in Richmond, Virginia – Twig! “Kicked Up Country Living” says it all. It’s hard to just window shop there, though. So many unique, fun, and colorful ideas! I always come away with something that “kicks up” my own style of living!

    Reply

  15. Maria says

    What an amazing place! If I ever get to that part of Florida again I’ll be sure to drop in. Have you ever been to Twig in the Lakeside part of Richmond? Reminds me a LOT of this shop!

    Reply

  16. Julie says

    OMG OMG MY CANDLES THAT I MAKE AND SELL ARE AT THAT STORE.
    THAT IS SUPER WEIRD. DID SMELL THEM OR TRY THEM?

    http://greenmarketpurveying.com/

    LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

    THIS IS INSANE.

    I HOPE TO MEET YOU GUYS SOMEDAY.

    YOU GUYS REALLY INSPIRE ME.

    I ALWAYS DO MY BEST TO READ YOUR BLOG ONCE DAY.

    ITS WHAT I DO DURING MY 1 HR LUNCH BREAK.

    LOVE YOU GUYS

    LOVE JULIE

    Reply

  17. Kat says

    I always enjoy these kind of tours,…some of the small boutiques and stores in our area are chock full of inspiration with their styling and store vignettes. One thing I’m curious about is how you go about getting shopkeeper’s permission to take photos? Do you typically ask first and snap away or do you find you need to negotiate to get permission? I’ve been at stores where my young daughter will innocently take pics using her phone and she’ll be asked to stop. I suppose in those few instances we were typically at a chain store but what are the rules about these kind of things? Any adivice?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Typically I’ll walk into a small boutique like this and take a minute to admire the store and tell the shop keeper “I’m a blogger, and I’d love to snap some photos to share with my readers.” They’re usually very flattered (I think most shops appreciate any and all “spreading of the word” on their behalf). For larger chains I usually know their policy by now (Target and Ikea and most other large chains don’t care about photos but once a Restoration Hardware Outlet told me I couldn’t take pictures). I’m never very covert about snapping away, so that usually solves it (either they see me taking photos and don’t mind, or very rarely – probably once every few years – someone will politely tell me they don’t allow photography).

      xo
      s

  18. Amanda says

    Lynchburg is a bit of a longer drive from you than some of the other cities people have mentioned. But a new place just opened (last weekend!) downtown called Pastiche at Main. You can check their website here -http://www.pasticheatmain.com. While you are in town take a tour over to the JCrew outlet for your next black jacket on the cheap Sherry! It’s based here in town and is way cheaper than any other outlet. Or stop at the Old Virginia Candle Company outlet store …. just a few quick gems for a Saturday trip to Lynchburg! (And I’ll gladly show you three around!) :)

    Reply

  20. Carolyn says

    Love this little shop! And — I have that very same old kitchen scale (in your photo it has shells or barnacles in it). The former owners of our house left it here! Thanks for the inspiration. I might begin hanging up all my quirky finds today.

    Reply

  22. Carol Tucker says

    I kept our The Art of Simple card from our southern road trip from this past January too. LOVED that store. I bet you might like the Old Luckett Store http://www.luckettstore.com. It’s not too far beyond the Leesburg Outlets – an easy day trip for you guys.

    Reply

  23. Beth says

    I love the chandelier! Shopping in stores like The Art of Simple is so much fun…gets the creative juices flowing! I saw 3 other posts about one of my favorite stores here in Richmond, VA and thought I’d add my two cents…”Twig” (http://www.lovewhereyoulive.me/2012/12/11/twig-is-open/) , on Lakeside Ave. It is AWESOME! I can always find a gift or two, often for me! Such a variety of inventory that is always changing. Twig has a lot of local merchandise that is very unique! Its a very friendly place and I always leave a little happier, with at least one bag in hand!

    Reply

  25. Brandi Wotanowski says

    You asked for recommendations of VA businesses. Boy, do I have one for you! EKSTER ANTIQUES & UNIQUES. The business is owned and operated by a lovely woman named Caroline Verschoor and her husband Jon-Paul Saunier. Together they run this amazing business out if the self-renovated barns on their property. They run regular “Barn Sales”. She has been photographed for both magazines and books. Her white-gray palette differs from your own style, but you would have a great appreciation of her family-first, do-it-yourself approach to their business. Take a peak at the website, or better yet, make a trip to one if her amazing sales in Hamilton, VA, near Leesburg. You won’t be disappointed!!

    Reply

  27. laura says

    Wow! Great find! I’m sure the locals are flocking to it if they didn’t know about it before! I love finding local treasures like that! The people running them are always the salt of the earth too. One of those places you just stop in the middle with a cup of coffee and stare in all directions like a deer in headlights:)

    Laura, House Envy

    Reply

  28. Melissa Carr says

    Hey! GATHER has been here in your backyard since 2005! GATHER is housed in a 1850’s General Store and sells the same black and white signs you featured and carries a lot of the same products as the shop in Florida as well as one-of-a-kind vintage and antique finds!!! Come check us out :-) !

    Reply

  29. Nancy Ansheles says

    I’ve heard Destin is a great vacation spot from my sister;but she just talked about the beach! Your photos of this shop adds extra push for a visit there.

    And I know people love the Chick, etc. but what about that old-fashioned laundry basket on wheels?? That is so cool and might look great in our 1909 house in Maine. Okay, let us know when you come here, but I grew up in VA and get back often. I agree, Twig is a really cool store in Richmond. Funky, unique stuff. The owner, Jennifer is friendly, knowledgeable and really helpful. She has a great design sense and her shop is full of one-of-a-kind things for yourself or guests…like a little wooden bird wine stopper that always gets an “awwww” from friends.

    Reply

  31. Gwen, The Makerista says

    What a great little shop! Finding little gems like this is one of my favorite things! Nothing against the big box stores, but there is something so lovely about finding one of a kind items at one of a kind places!

    Reply

  33. Amelia says

    I love this store! I was in Seaside back in March with my sister and we spent forever browsing around through everything they had. The setup in there is just lovely.
    I was so excited to see their card as the first picture. I actually kept that as a cool mini souvenir.

    Reply

  34. Beverly says

    Having grown up in Destin and about to make a trip there soon…I feel compelled to find the store described. Of course its location was nothing but a lonely beach in my childhood but I will try to find it. Enjoy your blog even though I am actually at the stage where I am beginning to divest myself of some of a lifetime of interesting objects…I still enjoy your ideas. Enjoyed meeting you in Ft. Lauderdale.

    Reply

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