I’m currently hanging and photographing the canopy I made for over Clara’s bed — I think it’s going to be adorable — so I’ll share those photos and the full how-to tomorrow. I had planned to write about September 11th today. I lived in New York City then, and it remains one of the most life-changing days I’ve experienced. Even after all these years I find it hard to put into words, but I’m sending love and solidarity to everyone affected. Sharing tough stories has felt healing for me in the past (like when I opened up about Clara’s birth story), so I may sit down this afternoon and try to capture some of my memories.
For now, I have a window-shopping adventure to share. It’s been too long since our last virtual shopping stroll. These posts aren’t sponsored — we simply walk through a shop with a camera and photograph what inspires us. I especially love discovering small, tucked-away places that feel unique and curated. Today’s find: The Art of Simple.
We stumbled into this charming little shop while on vacation in Destin (it’s located in downtown Seaside). The moment we stepped inside I had to pull out the camera. The shopkeeper was friendly, the displays felt inventive, and everything had a thoughtfully edited aesthetic. If you live nearby, it’s worth a visit. If you’re farther away, consider calling the shop about a piece you love or simply use the images as inspiration for your next DIY project.
The store favored a crisp palette — lots of white with pops of red, gray, and aqua — which made each item stand out. One detail I admired: several white bookcases were backed with beadboard instead of a thin panel. It gives a built-in, polished feel and is an easy way to elevate standard shelving.
At the back of the shop there was an attractive accent wall of white subway tile with gray grout, set against gray-washed barn-board-look floors. The floors weren’t real wood but stick-down laminate with convincing texture. It was a reminder that you can achieve a high-end look on a practical budget — imagine a tile wall and these floors in a laundry room or bathroom.
As a dramatic focal point, a red beaded chandelier hung toward the rear of the space. It was one of those pieces that makes you dream — Parisian flat, anyone? If the original is out of your price range, consider painting a less expensive beaded fixture in a high-gloss candy apple red for a similar impact. Small beaded chandeliers from retailers can be updated with spray paint for a custom result.
I also loved the black signs with ivory lettering — a modern, understated twist on the colorful signage you see everywhere. They were playful in a refined way: “The Laundry” would be perfect above a washer and dryer, while “The Shanty” could be a fun entryway piece among framed photos. Every home could use a little personality like that.
The shop had a lighted chick silhouette that made me smile the moment I saw it. I wanted to take it home, but John put a quick halt to that — he nipped it in the bird bud. If you love the idea, there are plenty of DIY tutorials for lighted signs that could be adapted to create a similar whimsical piece.
There were inventive globe treatments on display that would be perfect either to buy or to inspire a DIY. One globe looked to be painted blue, distressed with glaze, then hand-painted or inked with country borders in black outlined in gold. Another was coated entirely in chalkboard paint, with countries and equator markings sketched on in a turquoise paint pen. Both ideas would make great projects for a vintage-travel vignette or a child’s room.
Antique metal letters with lovely patina caught my eye, and I loved the idea of repurposing a metal caddy in a laundry room for sorting supplies. These kinds of small, tactile finds add real character to a space.
A set of hanging pendants with customizable floral colors was another standout. The shopkeeper showed me rings of crystals that let you pick accent hues to coordinate with your kitchen or living area. While these were an investment (roughly $350 each), a single statement pendant in a key spot can be a worthwhile splurge if you balance it with savings elsewhere in your budget.
Small shell-shaped soap dishes were priced around $9 and came in pretty pink and bronze tones. I pictured them on a pedestal sink next to classic black-and-white floor tile — a charming, unexpected detail for a vintage-style bathroom.
There were real marquee letters from the 1940s — heavy, metal, and full of character. Predictably, John was instantly drawn to them. Vintage signage brings a nostalgic, graphic element to modern interiors.
One of my favorite items was a rustic painting of an old gas pump, framed in weathered wood and displayed on a red easel. The muted reds and teals felt perfectly edited and inspiring for color pairing ideas in a rustic or cottage-inspired space.
So that’s the little tour: a slow wander through a sleepy beach-town boutique that’s still on my mind weeks later. I hope you enjoyed this virtual shopping spree. Have you discovered any small boutiques or thrift gems lately? If you’re in Virginia or nearby, tell me what you’ve been finding — I’m always on the lookout for new spots to explore.