Glorious Palm Beach and Shopping the Dixie Highway

I have been following fellow blogger, Jane Schott of Empress of the Eye, since she had her Fortuny pillow giveaway. I'm still sulking, since I was not the winner, but I've gained a bird's eye view into, literally, some of the best shopping in America. Jane is The Dixie Highway Chick, no question. Like High Point, it is a great jumble of shops and junk with some serious steals, but... you need to know where you are going. Jane knows.

 

Great Stuff,  at 901-B George Bush Blvd. in Delray Beach was, without a doubt, the highlight of our tour. It is a well curated and beautifully merchandised  collection of haute Palm Beach decor. I found a fantastic Jane Wendel chest for a friend here. Jane Wendel was my inspiration for life. She was the Kennedy era queen of interior design of Palm Beach. As a great lady, who began her brilliant career in her late forties, Jane gave me hope. She has inspired generations, as her daughter Brooke Huttig, partner Mimi McMakin, along with Mimi's daughter Celerie Kemble have created stunning, whimsical rooms that grace the pages of literally every shelter magazine.

I immediately recognized the provenance of this Italian painted chest. Jane brought containers of  painted chests, bars, chairs and headboards, long before they became the rage, not to mention poorly imitated. Imagine my smug expression, when browsing the Kemble Interiors website,  I found its expensive twin.

 

The carved turtle feet, perfect scale and excellently executed painting makes this chest a shopping coup. Thank you Jane!!

 

Honestly, you would think Lucite was gold when you see the prices at High Point (wholesale) for the few examples throughout market. Palm Beach is brimming with this chic look, specifically, this exact table. It is all over town and can be found for triple the price (Mecox Gardens) and half the price elsewhere. You've got to shop!!

 

Painted furniture is a Palm Beach signature, that works well in any climate. It breaks up the monotony of brown and gray scale finishes dominating the furniture scene. Like all trends, poor imitations abound, yet palm beach has excellent vintage pieces predating the China explosion.  Color is back, and the soaring 60's is resurrecting.  The Dixie Highway, and a personal tour from Jane, is worth the plane ticket. This secretary cabinet is $2,600.00, which I consider a bit steep, however it could make a room.

 

 This luminous pair of Murano glass eggs have an opening on the bottom for lighting. For the asking price of $450.00, they make an artistic and colorful addition to any room. 

Jane posted this fantastic limited edition Picasso textile several months ago. I called the shop to find out how much it cost--$650.00. I decided not to buy it, but I still think it is a wonderfully decorative, nicely framed piece.  It has been around for awhile, so hopefully....

 

This vintage rattan recliner was at A. Abbott antiques at 6501 So. Dixie Highway. The $750.00 asking price seems a bit steep, but it is in excellent condition and would work in a multitude of settings.  Jane says some of these treasures can be plucked from the uber junky  Faith Farms ministries.  

 

 My foodie daughter recommended this antipasto platter at Tramonti Ristorant in Delray Beach. It was a delicious break.  

More Later!!

Best, 

Liz