Personal Style – This is my hobby.

This Palm Beach Gardens Home is a Collage of Life Well Lived

I’ve known Cheryl, a lifelong creative and brand designer, through our professional networks over many years in Palm Beach County.

We recently reconnected through a local women’s organization, and would see each other at events and on Zoom meetings here and there.

During Zooms, I always noticed the background in Cheryl’s little onscreen box.

Over her shoulder, I could see a gallery wall of artwork set against a deep blue wall and a bamboo window shade, and I wondered — what does Cheryl’s house look like?

This very type of curiosity, of course, was a large part of why I launched Styled in South Florida Home Tours.

When I meet stylish and creative people, I always wonder what their homes look like.

Lucky for me, when I launched the channel and then asked Cheryl if she’d be interested in sharing her space, she said yes.

So, I got to see that gallery wall large and in living color. Plus a lot of other stuff.

Unsurprisingly, I found Cheryl’s home to be just as stylish as she is. What struck me most was how varied her collection of treasures is.

Nothing matches in the traditional sense — there’s no one design aesthetic she adheres to or color palette, even.

Her home is the antithesis of the beige “blandemic” that modern home design is often accused of being.

Her design philosophy is simply to grab the item that calls to her and bring it home.

This, combined with family heirlooms and artwork collected over generations, has created a space that is uniquely hers and deeply meaningful.

In the laundry room, you’ll find artwork her husband made as a child hanging near the sink.

Her daughters’ childhood self portraits are proudly displayed on a wall near the kitchen, and her father-in-law’s beautifully drawn, realistic portraits of those same girls are displayed in the living room.

A funky drawing picked up during travel hangs next to dog portraits Cheryl and her husband created themselves near the piano.

Whimsical clay vases from France on the dining room table hold paper flowers Cheryl created at a local workshop.

Cheryl’s collection of trinkets and treasures — some feeling more serious, some silly, some full of whimsy — has created a space with no regard for trends or idealized aesthetics.

Instead, the home is a collage of love passed through generations, across continents of travel, and in the everyday moments she shares with her husband and in her South Florida community.

Watch Cheryl’s home tour to catch a glimpse of her design magic — you’ll be inspired.

Carmen’s Colorful Home is a Celebration of Belonging

Carmen is married to my husband’s cousin and, though we live only about an hour apart, that distance is far enough to keep us from seeing each other often.

You know — jobs, kids, life.

We visited Carmen and her husband Scott several years ago, when our boys were elementary aged, and even though it was my first time meeting them, I felt welcomed and loved on in a way that stuck with me.

I also felt very impressed by their gorgeous home, which is naturally why I reached out to Carmen all these years later to be featured on Styled in South Florida Home Tours.

In her usual warm way, she invited me back to her home and generously allowed me to showcase every inch of her stunning space.

I loved seeing the house again, but more than that, I loved learning about Carmen.

I learned that she and her family came to this country as Cuban refugees with only the suitcases they could carry and moved into a small apartment in Massachusetts.

Her home design is inspired by her father, who was so careful in the items he selected for their tiny home.

Though they had left everything they owned behind and come to an unknown — and cold! — place, they were able to reinvent themselves and create a new space of belonging.

The apartment wasn’t much, but Carmen remembers walking into it and feeling like it was everything.

She also remembers that her father built her a swing inside, since they didn’t have any outdoor space. Carmen has carried that feeling of whimsy and joy into her own home design through art and color.

She and Scott have lived in their house for 32 years, and it has evolved as their family has grown and changed.

When their son moved out, they had to decide whether to stay put or start somewhere new. They decided to stay, and began shaping the house to suit their new, empty-nester life.

This included converting a guest bedroom into a dream closet for Carmen.

Carmen’s style is “just about happy,” as she puts it. She surrounds herself with color, artwork and photographs that bring joy, and collections from travel — all a reflection of her and her family’s life.

Just like her parents did in that tiny Massachusetts apartment, Carmen and Scott worked together to build a space of belonging, for them and anyone who walks through their doors.

I certainly felt the love during my visit.

I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Carmen as I have.

Trader Joe’s is Now a Core Part of My Personality

A Trader Joe’s opened up by my house and…I’m in danger.

It has actually been both a bad and good thing (but mostly good).

We’ve now reduced our Costco trips. For us, Costco shopping can often lead to overspending and food waste.

Now, instead of one massive haul every couple of weeks, we are popping into Trader Joe’s several times a week.

I would normally hate going to a grocery store that often, but it is genuinely a joy to shop there.

Elaine is obsessed with the little kid carts and the staff treat us with loving kindness — the opposite of most South Florida shopping experiences (or experiences in general), tbh.

There are also so many delightful treats.

This week, I discovered the vanilla bean mini sheet cake and, once again…I’m in danger.

I’m venturing into the body products too, and I fear I might be a Goodwill + Trader Joe’s girlie head to toe these days.

My favorite thing about having TJ’s next door though is that it greatly enhances my hosting offerings.

I had friends over last weekend and supplied quite a spread of TJ goodies in various thrifted serving plates scattered amid thrifted table decor.

We tried a couple of their flatbreads from the frozen section and, naturally, I had to throw in a few sweet treats. The cookies aren’t as good as oreos but they were still pretty delish!

I’ve been waiting to use these adorable napkins I found at Bealls. The woven mats are from Goodwill, along with most of the serving dishes.

Cabbage serving tray also from Goodwill. We tried the curry chicken salad and bacon ranch chicken dip — both delish.

I love that I can throw together a spread without making a huge production of it with TJ’s help.

So, yes, I might be spending too much money there, but I’m spending it on friends and vanilla bean sheet cake.

The math works for me.

Styled in South Florida Season 2 launches on Sunday, August 16th!

I can’t wait to introduce you to this season’s tour hosts and their gorgeous homes.

Keep your eyes peeled for five more home tour episodes!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

T-shirt, sunnies, and bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Goodwill Glam in Miami

Last weekend, we did a little staycation in Miami and stayed in a nice hotel, ate at a Michelin-star restaurant, and saw a comedy show.

I wore Goodwill head-to-toe and the girlies were loving it.

First, I packed my overnight stuff in this straw bag I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago.

A cutie passing me by the hotel elevators shouted out, “I love your bag!”

It’s by far my favorite thrift snag of late.

Elaine gravitates to the sparkle in the Goodwill aisles and usually brings me sequin pieces to consider as I shop.

It’s almost always a swift “no,” but when she brought me this silver sequin skirt it was an immediate “hell yeah.”

I paired the skirt with an oversized GAP button-up and black strappy heels, also sourced from Goodwill.

The secondhand Prada bag was a complete steal at a nonprofit fundraising event.

I felt fab!

I visited the comedy club restroom after the show and was immediately transported back to my 20s clubbing days when a cute girl saw me emerge from the stall and said, “You look amazing, I love your outfit!”

Nobody pumps up a girl’s self-esteem like a fellow girl, two cocktails in, in a club bathroom. IYKYK.

I even swapped thrift stories with the girl selling merch at the door! There are thrift sisters around every corner if you look. 😉

I loved the juxtaposition of a full Goodwill look against the backdrop of fancy venues.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Miami without making a stop at the local Goodwill.

Because what’s a glamorous weekend away without a little treasure hunting?

Shopping reel coming soon to Instagram and TikTok.

Last Week’s Thrifted ‘Fits:

H&M Button Up from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Diana’s Coastal Chic Home in Hypoluxo, FL

I have incredible admiration for people who can look at a space and, in their mind, knock down walls, lay down floors, paint walls, and see a clear vision for its transformation.

I do not have this skill.

When Vince and I were house hunting, I got the major ick walking into some spaces.

If a place is dated, dark, ugly or — God forbid — smelly, I have a hard time seeing past that to the grand possibilities.

That takes a special skill, and homeowner and interior designer Diana Pierre-Louis has it.

She purchased her home in Hypoluxo, Florida with a vision to transform it into a quietly coastal haven for her family.

When you watch her home tour, you’ll hear all about her design choices, DIY tips, and bargain finds, but what you won’t hear about is what first sparked her interest in home design.

Diana grew up in her father’s carpet shop. She remembers being five years old and playing hide-and-go-seek with her cousins between the carpet rolls in the warehouse.

She observed her father work with interior designers, and realized at a young age what most kids probably don’t notice — there are lots of choices for what goes on a floor.

As she got older, she’d spend her summers helping in the shop and deepening her love for design.

As an adult, Diana always styled her interiors with intention, but she didn’t pursue it professionally until the age of 40 — during the COVID-19 pandemic, with two kids and a husband.

She was able to tell her father that she graduated from her program before he passed away, an accomplishment they could proudly share.

Diana’s kitchen when she and her husband first purchased the house.

Diana’s kitchen post transformation.

I’m amazed by the before and after photos of Diana’s home — seeing the transformation and her incredible talent.

But what felt even more amazing was learning more about her, and understanding that her bond with her family is at the root of who she is as a designer.

That family bond is what cultivated her interests, which developed into a passion.

Now, Diana is creating a beautiful home for her own children, carrying forward her father’s legacy.

When you walk through her home, you see beautiful finishes, creative DIY projects, and a designer’s eye for detail.

But underneath all of that is something even more enduring: a daughter’s love and a father’s influence.

And it all started in a carpet shop.

A photo of Diana and her father at her wedding is displayed on a kitchen shelf.

This cabinet had to be repaired and repainted after one of her boys rode his skateboard into the side, creating a large hole. Diana often repaints pieces to give them new life.