Tropical Paradise: French Caribbean Design Part 2

Part 2 in a case study in French Caribbean design

Karen had a vision from day one of what she wanted her new condo to look like and she cut out dozens of photos of designs she liked - from cabinetry to door hardware, paint selections, chairs, tables, sofas and more. We pulled out catalogs and further defined the look she wanted. As new items came in to The Magic of Design, she chose pieces that reflected her style. When the sofas did not have the fabric she wanted, we changed it to a soft cream suede that has stood the test of baby formula and red wine. We also redefined the sofa back to something more comfortable for her petite frame. We worked together on the custom draperies, duvet covers, pillows and shams. Everything was fabricated in our shop.

Blinds and drapes from our shop

Roman shade and cornice from our shop

Office with leather pull-out sofa

Desk with tropical chair & ottoman

After working with Karen on her first condo, I knew she loves curves. Kitchen counters that undulate like waves and curvy door fronts, so we searched for unique and unusual pieces like the curved door front cabinet in the master bedroom. 

Master bedroom painted curved chest

Howard loves scuba diving. Now that he gets to enjoy more time in Cozumel, he spends at least three days a week in the ocean observing all that Cozumel has to offer under the water. So Karen, Howard and I sought objects that were reminiscent of the sea. Like the blues and greens in the living room drapes and the little table that Karen placed in the master bath, decorated with shells and other sea creatures. The love of nature can also be seen in the art that Howard lovingly picked out for the condo.

Guest bedroom with rattan furniture

Grandchildren's bedroom

The overall design theme is French Caribbean but with whimsical touches of shells and turtles and other creatures. The space now exemplifies all the things that Howard and Karen love - good quality furniture and soft, vibrant fabrics, with wonderful splashes of color on the walls - that demonstrate their love of all creatures and a love of nature.

Shell and sea creature theme

It's a true tropical paradise - as comfortable for large family gatherings as it is for serene and quiet contemplation.

A Pet Peeve & A Praise for Cozumel

I think that if you are going to have a pet peeve, it must be followed by a praise. And for Cozumel, that is not a tough thing. Praises come easily. I have to say though one of my biggest pet peeves is what I call the Cozumel right turn. It doesn't matter if a person has a stop sign or not, the moped driver or bicycle pedaler just jumps out in to the street and makes a really tight right turn as I am driving along in my lane. Now they see me, so they make sure they are far enough towards the curb so my car doesn't hit them. Then they kind of wiggle in to traffic just so, and eventually pass me. Happens every day. 

So the praise, where else could you get so many smiles from strangers? When I go to Miami, I get these horrible stares or people look away when I smile at them. Not here, everybody smiles back.

This video is actually just of a normal Cozumel street. I need to find one of the Cozumel right turn.

Facebook Updates from The Magic of Design

Chair we now have 3 in stock at 30% off

The last thing I want to make this blog is an advertisement for our business. But sometimes I think people really do want to know if there is an easier way to shop. I have found over the last few years that most clients prefer to look at stuff online. In fact, many would like to order online. Truthfully though, most or our clients really want to sit in and see the upholstery, feel the fabrics and see the wood finishes.

A beautiful oak cabinet in stock now 50% off

But it is great to get to see what we are stocking. Now we have our inventory on our Facebook page each month. I will be updating the December inventory over the next few days. We have sold so much the last week, that I have to go back and do it again. Here is a link to The Magic of Design photo albums. Just look for the current month and locate what we have in inventory. Things change fast, so once in a while something might be sold. I do my best to keep it current.

So please stop by our Facebook page and give us a like! Happy holidays Cozumel!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well here we are again. Another year goes by. Another Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday of the year, or I guess I should say it was my favorite holiday growing up.

I miss the gathering of my mom's family. Grandma made the turkey and stuffing. She also made her famous spaghetti and cheese, like a macaroni and cheese but with thin vermicelli. My mom usually made a pork roast, as my dad didn't like turkey much. Sitting around the table of my grandmother's house with family and always a few strangers that my grandmother invited for the holiday.

They are all gone now. My grandma, my mom and dad, my brother Bobby moved away thirty years ago and never came back. My Aunt Peggy died two years ago now. The ones who are left are scattered between Ohio, Florida, England and California. 

Liz and me

Here are a few photos of when our family was together in August of 2013. Miss you guys!

my cousin Julie's family

So tonight my husband and I will celebrate with my friend DeLea. We have lots to be thankful for. But I still do miss those big affairs each year, with the steamy kitchen and loud chatter and all that love. Most of all, I miss you mom!

Luh's Line: Our New Mayan Accessories & Furniture

B'ALAM WAY spirit jaguar accessory

Our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula and the beaches proved to be super successful. We also had fun with our family. It had been a long time since I spent any time in Merida. The beach was a bust! The house we rented had no water, no hot water, ants and lots of mosquitoes. We only stayed two nights and moved on to the Hyatt.

Prototype of a new root table style

But we got to do what we set out to do, which was find new suppliers of furniture and accesorries. I wanted to start a line of more eco-friendly, green furniture that can stand the heat and humidity we have here. Where better to find it than in the jungles of the Mayan world?

Another prototype of an outdoor chair

Along with finding some wonderful things, we also got to meet some wonderful people. The small pueblos around the Yucatan Peninsula have the warmest and kindest people I have ever met. It is quite amusing for us to converse, as Spanish is a second language for me and also for them. Their first language is Maya.

Mayan Languages Being Preserved

From the book "Where the Wild Things Are"

I joined a new group recently, Yucatan Expat Life, and the first week that I received their roundup, or newsletter - there was an article on translating the book, "Where the Wild Things Are" in to a Mayan language.

I found that really exciting. I remember touring Guatemala years ago, and our guide explained that in school the children are required to learn Spanish, English and their own Mayan language for the area in which they live. I thought that was fascinating and so valid.

In the Yucatan, many of the older generation still speak Mayan. My mother-in-law, who is 100% descended from Spaniards but grew up in Telchac and Merida, speaks Mayan. My husband knows a little but not a lot. He speaks Spanish as a first language, then English, Italian, French and German. 

The information on the translation of the book can be found here. So happy to see this happening! Hopefully this will be a trend and they will begin to teach the Mayan languages in school, so they will not be lost.

Cozumel View: Got to Love It

View from Palmar Condos 8th Floor 

This was our view today from the 8th floor of a Cozumel condo while my husband, Moises, took measures for blinds. It just doesn't get much better than this. 

A few days ago, I had to travel to Playa del Carmen. Whenever I sit outside on the ferry, watching Cozumel get smaller and smaller, I reminisce of the times I toiled first in a cubicle, then in a small office and later in a large office with windows - at the design firm. Guaranteed my view never looked like this.

When I worked in South Florida at the design firm, for years we were not even allowed to wear pant suits, only skirts or dresses. I always wanted a job where I could wear jeans. Now I even wear shorts some days. I love my job. :)