...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
