Weekend Daytrip to Palm Beach

On Saturday, my sweet husband treated me to a day trip to Palm Beach, ahhh!!! Palm Beach is only an hour+ drive north from us, and I try to find an excuse to visit anytime I can. It is truly one of my favorite places on earth!

Slim Aarons

First stop on the agenda…We picked up this darling vintage rattan bar cart I found for $150 on Craigslist. It is perfect for our patio!

Next stop… The Breakers! We parked the car across from Island Home, one of the most popular stores on the Island (and founded by a fellow native Texan, I might add).

More on Island Home in a bit… We were hungry, so we walked around the block to The Breakers.

Does it get any more perfect than this?!

In 1894, Standard Oil Company magnate, Henry Flagler built his first hotel, The Royal Poinciana Hotel at Lake Worth, attracting the elite to what would become the world’s premier resort destination, Palm Beach. Flagler had acquired and built railroads to serve Florida’s east coast, opening the once isolated region to development and
tourism.

In 1896, Flagler built a second hotel, The Palm Beach Inn on the beachfront of the Royal Poinciana. Soon guests requested rooms “over by the breakers.” When Flagler redoubled the hotel’s size, he renamed it The Breakers. The Breakers burned down on June 9, 1903. Less than a year later, it reopened to universal acclaim.

The guest register read like a “who’s who” of early twentieth century America – Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, Andrew
Carnegie and J.P. Morgan vacationed alongside United States presidents and European nobility.

On March 18, 1925, 12 years after Flagler’s death, tragedy struck The Breakers. Fire destroyed the all-wood building. Flagler’s heirs were determined to build the world’s finest resort as a testament to his vision – and to reopen in time for the 1926-27 winter season.

The new building was modeled after the Villa Medici in Rome. Seventy-five artisans were brought from Italy to complete the magnificent paintings on the ceilings of the 200-foot long main lobby and first-floor public rooms. Far grander than its predecessor, The Breakers remains an unrivaled masterpiece.

And most importantly… design icon Carleton Varney served as the lead decorator in a 14 year top-to-bottom renovation of The Breakers.

Back to Island Home….

We had a delicious lunch at The Seafood Bar, overlooking breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Seafood Bar is charming and reminiscent of Old Florida. I love the aquarium bar!

Back to Island Home….

I wanted to take one of everything home with me, beginning with this beautiful shell-encrusted mirror.

Lovely mirrored accessories…

Shell-encrusted obelisks!

Accessories perfect for the beach house powder room..Next, we made a brief detour by The Church Mouse, just around the corner from Worth Avenue. I have read rave reviews about The Church Mouse, but I have never had much luck there…

Although I did spy this lovely geranium upholstered chair for $450… so sweet!

We then headed over to C. Bell, which I will post more about this week. I have written about Christine Bell’sexclusive pagoda bed which is reminiscent of vintage Thomasville, and I have visited her online shop numerous times. But I was not prepared for the overwhelming smorgasbord of Palm Beach Chic lovelies that awaited inside. I seriously could have spent all day there (my poor husband)! So I simply must dedicate an entire post to C. Bell… stay tuned!

Next we headed around the corner to Shi & Erhard, a Meg Braff favorite. There were definitely some treasures here as well!

Brass poodle lamps (one of a pair pictured.)

These over-sized boudoir chairs were so fabulous!

Lucite barstools!

Set of four Chinese Chippendale chairs.

The last stop on our shopping spree was Nettie’s Thrift and Consignment. Boy were there some great deals here!

This Chinoiserie chest was only $50!

This birdcage (although it needs a bit of work) had me wanting a pet bird… step away!!

Remember this vintage spun fiberglass table and chairsnfrom House Beautiful?

House Beautiful

These pineapple lamps are pretty chic too…

As we were leaving Nettie’s, we passed Antiques to Modern.

I will have to pop by another time, because these mirrored glam end tables really caught my eye!

But my husband (BTW did I mention he is a Saint?!) was hungry and in need of a beverage, so off to the Brazilian Court Hotel for Happy Hour.

The only problem with visiting Palm Beach is that I never want to go home… but go home and back to reality we must! I was only able to visit a fraction of the shops on my list. And I was sorry I wasn’t able to visit Circa Who, as they currently have a dresser I simply must have. So I will have to go back to Palm Beach ASAP. 🙂 Please check back for more on C. Bell!

Comments

sharon smith says

March 13, 2013 at 3:26 pm

I love your Craig's list find. Major score! Thanks for all the photos!

The Pink Pagoda says

March 14, 2013 at 1:52 am

I love yours posts, Andrea! I love learning the history along with seeing the gorgeous images! I'd want to take a moving van with me on my next visit for all of my purchases!

Linda {Calling it Home} says

March 15, 2013 at 5:03 pm

I love PB, and get there almost every February. My In-Laws live near there, and we love to leave the cold winters here in NJ. We didn't make it this year. You scored an excellent find. Will you paint your bar cart?

- A ndrea says
  
  March 16, 2013 at 3:17 am
  
  I am thinking about it! Not sure yet though… I have a pair of mint condition 70's peacock chairs (also from CL) that match, so I might just leave it as is. I'll have to post updates!
  
Kim says

March 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Oh my … Don and I are headed to Palm Beach in April … you are getting me very excited! I have never been before!! xo

Jane Kilpatrick Schott says

March 22, 2013 at 4:15 pm

Great pickings down here in Palm Beach county. One of the reasons I decided to retire here. I find that the thrift, consignment and shops just south of Southern are the best bargains around. I have written about the high points of scavenging here for 4 years on my blog…I have been to just about every one of them.

http://www.empressoftheeye.blogspot.com

Happy Hunting!

A Flair for Vintage Decor says

March 30, 2013 at 5:45 pm

Just love everything you posted…I can't wait to visit PB!! Take care, Caroline

soflohomedesign says

June 7, 2013 at 5:03 pm

I love C. Bell and Looooove Netties. CircaWho has awesome pieces, but I find her a tad overpriced. Sounds like you had the perfect day in Palm Beach! Sorry you were pooped on. LOL Thanks for sharing your day with us!

Anonymous says

April 1, 2014 at 3:08 pm

Love your blog! Any ideas of similar places to shop in the Tampa/St.Pete/Sarasota area?
Thanks, Kimberly

- Andrea says
  
  April 3, 2014 at 11:24 pm
  
  Hi Kimberly!
  
  Yes, my friend Robin has a shop called Palm Beach Chic, located within Summerhouse Marketplace (3620 S. Manhattan Ave. Tampa, FL 33629). Look for her area with the bright green wall.
  
  XOXO,
  The Glam Pad
  
Anonymous says

February 25, 2015 at 5:33 pm

Loved your story on Palm Beach. Just have to tell you, you missed the best shop just a couple blocks South of Nettie's. It's called The Painted Ox. Fabulous Re-Imagined vintage furniture. They do painting and upholstery. They can even paint your new bar cart! it's bright & beautiful. Check it out on your next trip to the Palm Beaches.