Christmas in my little shop...

Looking forward to the Christmas holiday has been a bit of a challenge for me ever since I moved to Sanibel Island. It is beautiful, sunny and warm. Not a snowflake in sight. It just hasn't felt like Christmas. It has also been hard to focus on Christmas with client deadlines looming and photo shoots filling the days. But today something was different. I was finally able to take a moment and sit quietly in my shop. As the Christmas music filled the air, I looked at every little square inch of my shop and I realized that this is Christmas...my new Christmas. Seashells adorn the wreaths...sand dollars nestle in between mercury glass ornaments and a few paper mache churches on the trees...gilded birds and butterflies float through the parasols hanging from the ceiling...the tables, antique bed and cabinets are dressed in their finest vintage lace and blankets...and old ice skates and metal runner sleds are right at home, even though there is not a hint of ice or snow for miles. This is my new Christmas and my new life. I hope you enjoy a peek into Surroundings...all decorated for my new Christmas!

*click on picture to enlarge.

Remember for those of you who can't come to the shop, you can now shop online!

www.surroundingsbymelinda.com

As an added bonus...free shipping on all orders over $50.

Sometimes it just takes a while to find your way. It has taken me a few years. For the first time this feels like home. Happiness has a great deal to do with it...and I am happy. I wish the very same for everyone this holiday season!

Desk Project

I have never shied away from a project and here is my latest...

I found this great old claw foot desk for a mere $40 and decided I must have it! Only problem...

It was wobbly at best...and in pieces.

First things first...get rid of the wobble.

Thank goodness for wood glue...

...and long clamps!

Next was to assemble the top like a puzzle and make sure that it was not missing any boards.

Then the sander did over-time. The delicate claw feet had to be done by hand.

Now it was time to stain the base and pen drawer.

The desk is not terribly heavy but it is large and cumbersome for one (me). So I decided to carry it up to its new home prior to assembling the top.

Once the top was all back together, safe and secure, it was time to stain the top to match the base.

A protective coat (or four!) of polyurethane was all that was needed to finish my project.

Voila! My new desk in its new home. So pleased!!!

I could not have done it without years of watching my dad refinish furniture. Normally I am the first to paint an old piece of furniture white and call it a day. But not this time. This grand old boy deserved to be brought back to his original glory.

Thanks Dad for the lessons, encouragement and tips along the way!!!

I love my Dad.

Miranda at her finest...

It was so rewarding to finally be able to enjoy all the hard work that led up to the day of the photo shoot...

The flowers were perfection....

 ...and the sun was streaming in through the sparkling windows.

But something was missing...

I think my sweet old girl, Miranda, was feeling a bit left out.

She wanted to get back to her favorite spot...

Or else she just wanted a little of the spot light.

Now that is a perfect picture!

I love my sweet little girl.

Zeeryp Cottage Before & After

Here is the next design renovation project on the grounds of the Island Inn on Sanibel...Zeeryp Cottage.

*click on images to enlarge

The design for Zeeryp Cottage came very effortlessly. The space had great bones...but it was in desperate need of some TLC. For those of you who have followed my design work over the years...and may I say "thank-you" for all the support and encouragement...you know that my personal style is a pale wash of white and cream blended with antiques used in a modern way.

This cottage called to me on such a personal level. As with any project, budget was a concern. It was determined early on that I would need to use as many of the existing resources that the property had to offer. Back in the planning stages of this project, I went through years of collected mirrors, prints and lamps that were tucked away in storage. I found a series of old black and white bird photographs that were taken years ago here on the island by one of the shareholders of the Island Inn...Mr. Harold Lee.

Those photographs were the inspiration for the design of Zeeryp Cottage...Enjoy!

Walking out of this cottage for the last time tugged on my heart strings a bit. The space encompasses all the things that bring me so much joy on such a personal level...the beach, the sea air, the birds, the old black and white photography, the architecture and of course...the color palette.

Oh well...off to the next project!

A Tour of Starkey Lodge...Before & After

Designing hotel rooms may not be the most creative challenge but it can be rewarding. The next phase of the renovations at the Island Inn include the rooms of Starkey Lodge...

*click on image to enlarge

Inspiration for this old Florida beach front lodge can be found in our most prized treasure...the junonia.

This rare beauty can be found on our shell covered beaches...that is if you are a very lucky sheller!

I have never been so blessed as to find one, but I do have my jar filled with tiny junonia crumbs that I have found over the years.

The shell has a sleek slender shape and the creamy white field is peppered with rich brown spots. So simple, so elegant, so Sanibel!

The brown and white shell of the junonia was the starting point for the design...the island surroundings supplied the rest.

The rooms of Starkey Lodge...

   What a difference paint can make...

This charming lodge on the grounds of the Island Inn truly represents old Florida style. Starkey Lodge now has an updated look that enhances the charm and history of its past.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!