Championing for the small town....A home tour.

...We live in a truly beautiful small town

in some ways it is a nostalgic throw back of 60 years

to the days gone by

Black and white striped awning shops dot our ocean drive

Some of these shops have been open

and selling beachwear for over 60 years

... a long and beautiful time

in this era of Malls and Big Box stores...

This  eclectic town

with a neighborhood vibe

is also dusted with world class art museums and galleries

award winning restaurants

and fabulous hotels and Inns.

We are lucky. We know this

This type of small town, Like many, need champions

to keep it alive. 

They need the believers...who work to

keep it breathing and thriving...

yet maintaining it's simple and beautiful roots.

These small towns need people to shop in the quaint local shops

and eat in these amazing restaurants, and buy the stunning art.

Enter one  such champion in our small town....

Cindy O'Dare 

 Cindy has  been singing and dancing the praises of this little town for decades

she has saved several older cottages

breathing life and soul into them...

 Currently she loves and calls this classic, almost modest, Central Beach house home

The cement and stucco house....Is a classic to this area.

The property is hugged by the

century old and wise

Live Oak and  Banyan trees.

I love that in  this area these trees are protected as historical. They cannot be removed

nor should they.

It is pristine and happy house... with it's new metal roof

and fresh paint,,,,and blooming welcome pots.

Inside it smiles in 

color.....and art....and wild and wonderful wallpaper

this is not a shy wallflower donned in safe beige.

uh uh

Much like it's owner....it is infused with a vibrant and generous personality.

It sings happy.

Join me for a fun tour....

You are welcomed by a GIANT thought provoking

canvas by Cindy's late Brother in Law Theo Wujcik

actually... much of the prominent art pays homage to family and friends.

The Van Gogh table was done by her artist mother....paintings by her Artist father also don her walls.

This painting below is by NYC pop artist and friend James Rizzi

The kitchen is the color of sunshine

I love the vintage table cloth

and the vintage looking, but new, fridge...

AND... the ' can't help but make you smile' wallpaper...

on the other side of the kitchen.

The kitchen is always the hang out room...why not cozy it up?

C'mon...you are smiling, right?

Can't help but...

It's  curl up your legs, cozy...and nest-like. And all Cindy.

She almost exclusively shops at local consignment, thrift and boutique shops

girl after my own heart

Maybe my favorite part of her abode is the Orchid lined sunroom/porch

right off of the kitchen

It is a portal to her tropical backyard

 This Table....be still my heart

Just past this table is a carefully tended butterfly garden 

currently not in full bloom...but welcoming birds and butterflies all the same

...and past that... an abundant grassy and majestic oak

lined back yard

Back inside....the bedrooms and a hallway are infused,

each, with their own wallpapered personality

and they play together  albeit unorthodox....beautifully....who knew?

Cindy knew.

The bathroom is a beauty in marble subway tile and a basketweave floor that I loved...

This house...and each she has brought back and colored with her style

 is a jewel

clearly loved and cared for...

a sacred space.

It is also reflected in her care for her community...her small town.

that she champions and gives back to...

Thank you for championing....for giving back.

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again. 

                                                                          ~Joseph Campbell