This Cobbled Path

Design Tip – Authenticity

2010-07-22T23:09:00.001-04:00

For grandeur and timelessness, include some stonework in your home. Nothing says “I’ve been here for years” like an aged stone window surround or balustrade.

Gardening – Water Lily

2010-07-18T22:08:00.001-04:00

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

The Goods – The Cobbled Path Market

2010-07-06T22:52:00.001-04:00

We’ve upgraded our on-line presence to offer a number of our favorite items for sale. We’re still adding items daily, but feel free to browse what’s already available. In the coming weeks and months, expect a number of our favorites to cycle through here, as well as a number of one-of-a-kind antiques and trinkets. We hope you enjoy, and as always, if you have any questions, just email or call.

Gardening – Pots

2010-06-27T18:14:00.001-04:00

Seen above is a pot from Guy Wolff & Co. Guy started hand-throwing pots decades ago, and has expanded his offerings through the “& Co.” designation – offering pots made by skilled artisans hand-throwing his designs. (A Guy Wolff pot thrown by the man himself will not have the “& Co.” designation on it… and for the record, the number below the year in which it was made is the wet weight of the pot.) Pick some up and enjoy.

Entertaining - Cobblers

2010-06-25T16:22:00.003-04:00

Summer is finally here, and the markets are filled with the season's best. Click the pic below to link to some great fruit cobbler recipes from Southern Living.

image via Southern Living.

Gardening – Gardenias

2010-05-22T21:27:00.001-04:00

Perhaps the single most beloved flower in the South, gardenias are prized for their warm scent—said to be a mixture of jasmine, vanilla, and nutmeg. Gardenias grow well throughout Florida, but are not especially salt-tolerant, so don’t attempt them if you’re right on the coast. Prune them only once per year (right after the blooms fall), and fertilize 2-3 times per year. As for light, we’ve always had great luck with either full East or West exposure so they get intense sun for only half the day. Obviously, if you’re going to add them to your landscape, place them near a breezy front porch or a window you love to keep open….

The Goods – Our New Slip-Covered Line!

2010-05-20T23:05:00.001-04:00

After weeks of waiting, samples from our new slip-covered line have finally arrived. We’ll post more about the furniture—available in hundreds of styles, tons of fabrics that can be mixed and matched, and which is as heavy and solidly-built as any you’ll find—but after a busy night of getting it settled in… how about just a few quick pics? If you want quality, unique furniture for your home at a truly reasonable price, you’re going to love this stuff.

The backside of the chair above is covered in the same printed linen as the ottoman – gorgeous!

This couch is one of many available, and is over eighty inches wide. We have headboards, dining chairs, and plenty of other goodies in this line… but we’ll cover that later.

Lifestyle – Support the Locals!

2010-05-15T12:09:00.001-04:00

It’s blueberry season here in Tampa, but no matter where you are, something good is probably growing nearby. Do your community a favor, and skip the big-box retailers and support your local businesses and farmers.

The Goods – Bella Cucina Goodies!

2010-05-14T18:54:00.001-04:00

We are by no means a gourmet market, nor do we pretend to be; however, we do like to help our customers add the finishing touches to more than just a beautiful room. That said, we offer a number of selections from Bella Cucina, namely antipasti appetizers, bruschetta spreads, and amazing sweet dessert sauces… If you happen to stop by, give one a try. They’re beautiful, delicious, and inexpensive. A couple of our newer favorites are the Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce and Roasted Sweet Balsamic Peppers, shown below.

Lifestyle – Spring

2010-05-10T19:58:00.001-04:00

- Italian statue “Spring” located on St. Armand’s Circle.

Only about six weeks until the sweltering summer arrives, so get out there and enjoy.

Lifestyle – Le Macaron

2010-05-09T21:02:00.001-04:00

Turning fresh ground almonds and soft meringue into little bites of heaven… Le Macaron is a wonderful French pastry shop located on historic St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. From chocolate to lemon, the flavors of their signature Parisian macarons are many and wonderful. If you happen to be traveling Florida’s Gulf Coast, do yourself a favor and stop in.

Gardening – A Thornless Rose

2010-05-04T23:08:00.001-04:00

This is the Zephirine Drouhin rose. It was bred by Bizot in 1868 and is a completely thornless climber (10-12 feet is reasonable to expect) with a strong, old rose fragrance. Takes about three years to really fill in and bloom like mad, but it’s worth the wait—not to mention, the whole thornless thing is great around kids and pets. Give it a try.

The Goods – Great New Mirrors

2010-05-03T19:34:00.001-04:00

Just a quick update here with a couple of beautiful new mirrors we’ve added in the boutique. We think they’d look great with any number of styles, but hanging on a distressed white wall in a shabby-chic room or beach cottage might be ideal…

Happy Monday!

The Goods – Exquisite New Pots from Campo de Fiori

2010-05-02T21:59:00.001-04:00

With spring upon us, consider adding some great planters to your garden or patio. Some of our favorites come from Campo de’ Fiori. We have several new in the boutique, and all are hand made terra cotta. The pots are sculpted, seeded with moss, and aged in a greenhouse. Once “harvested,” they ship to our boutique and we can offer them to you. You’ll find none of that fake moss here. As seen in the photos below, these pots are already covered with moss that reawakens after you plant them and water. Of course, you’ll still have to pick a proper spot if you want maximum moss to grow, but you won’t have to wait years for it to happen.

We have several new options at the boutique. If you’re local, stop by!

Gardening – The First and Last

2010-04-24T13:26:00.001-04:00

Sorry it’s been so long since we’ve posted here. It’s been an eventful few weeks with lots of new fun at the boutique. We’ll post tomorrow to show off a few great new items. In the meantime, we thought you’d enjoy seeing the change of seasons here in Tampa.

Here’s the last camellia, which has grown throughout the last several months. Believe it or not, this particular bloom is so large (3.5” plus in diameter) and heavy, that the plant will barely support it now.

Although we hate to see one of the South’s favorite flowers say goodbye, the first Ingenious Mr. Fairchild rose has popped:

And, of course, Spring brings other fun as well, including licianthus, petunias, and blue ajuga:

Gardening – Ranunculus

2010-03-31T21:08:00.001-04:00

Seen here, a pink ranunculus (ranunculus tecolote) as it blooms in Tampa today. With over 400 species in this particular genus of plants, many of which are also referred to as “buttercups,” this particular variety thrives in full sun, Zones 8-11, where it will grow as a perennial—simply allow the leaves to die back in the fall and they’ll return the following year.

If starting from bulbs, plant bulbs in the fall for spring blooms. In colder zones, the bulbs can be planted in the early spring and act as an annual. They are low maintenance and come in a multitude of colors—from white to purple, pink to red, with vibrant yellows and oranges too. A single plant may produce as many as 30 blooms per season. (However, remember that ranunculus can be toxic to grazing animals.)

Lifestyle – Gorgeous Flowers

2010-03-21T11:21:00.001-04:00

We discovered the amazing floral designer, Paula Pryke, through another blog some time ago (apologies for not remembering who to credit). If you are unable to enjoy her creations first-hand in the United Kingdom, consider getting your hands on one of her many books.

Below are a few of her creations:

The Goods - A New Lampe

2010-03-06T21:24:00.003-05:00

We've previously extolled the virtues of Lampe Berger (click here for the primer), but the company has just supplied us with a new lamp and oil combination that you just can't beat. The lampe seen below comes with a sample bottle of oil, and sells for only $30! We have a lot of unusual and great gifts, but this one is by far the single best value in our boutique. If you aren't in the Tampa area, we will ship, but even if you don't buy from us, find your local dealer and pick one of these up. You'll love it!!!

Entertaining - Timeless Tablescape

2010-03-01T21:23:00.004-05:00

If you're not the type to trade tablecloths with the days of the week, consider the simple, timeless elegance of crystal and soft natural hues. From Christmas to warm summer evenings, it's always in style.

Design Tip - A Recent Project

2010-02-28T21:54:00.003-05:00

These clients enjoy extreme simplicity and clean tones, but have a relatively small space... We created this master bedroom for them. The whole thing is calming and serene, and the antique botanicals held by gilded cherubs are amazing, right?

Entertaining - Kumquats

2010-02-24T22:18:00.002-05:00

Sure, this post could just as easily fall under the gardening label, but since kumquats now appear the garnish du jour for a number of drinks (sometimes even replacing the olive in a martini), this post is all about entertaining. You may have seen the small fruit trees at local nurseries or garden centers. At first glance, the fruit is often written off as merely ornamental. Not so fast... the beauty of the kumquat is that it is the only citrus meant to be eaten with the skin; simply pick, and pop in your mouth. Kumquat varieties range from sweet to spicy, and lend themselves excellently to a number of recipes, but are often simply candied or made into marmalades or jellies. Native to China, they've been grown in Europe and America since the mid-1800's, and they are much hardier than other citrus varieties. As a smaller citrus variety, they also do quite well as indoor container plants in colder climates. In Florida, our tree has produced ripe fruit since October, and the last fruits of the season are just ripening...

...and yes, there's a lot of it

Our recommendation is to enjoy them straight from the tree, but if you're inclined to enjoy a cocktail, try the "Angelina Jolie": 2 oz single malt Scotch mixed with 1 oz elderflower liqueur (such as St. Germaine) shaken over ice for 10 seconds in a cocktail shaker, strained into a martini glass and garnished with kumquat slices.

-last image via Gourmet.com

Design Tip - Slipcovers

2010-02-09T22:45:00.005-05:00

Is it possible to be ubiquitous and under-appreciated at the same time? The answer is a resounding yes. The example - slipcovered furniture. Never has another style of furniture been so universally malleable in the world of design, and yet so potently grounding a presence in each. Whether you have a modern penthouse in New York, a shabby-chic beachhouse in Malibu, or a simple traditional home on Florida's Gulf Coast, you can lay the framework for an entire room and command the theme of an entire home with a few great pieces. A few examples:

(Shameless plug - in relatively short order, The Cobbled Path will be presenting its own line of slipcovered greats in more amazing styles and patterns than you can shake a stick at.)

-images via Southern Accents and Coastal Living.

Gardening - Camellias

2010-01-31T18:48:00.004-05:00

With over 3000 varieties, Camellia Japonica offers everyone a choice that may be considered the perfect flower. Every one of the varieties seems perfectly proportioned and gorgeous in color. You'll find antique botanical sketches to adorn your walls:

...but nothing compares to the real thing. Our favorites are white and simple:

Whatever you choose you can't go wrong. Choose western exposure unless you have good dappled light, and make sure you're within growing zones 6-9.

Design Tip - Tone on Tone

2010-01-31T10:37:00.003-05:00

There are those who will tell you to run out and get this latest "it" color or that latest "it" furniture style (invariably those who want to sell you something new or who want to manufacture a new trend to sell a magazine); however, rich detail in tone-on-tone color will never fail to impress--always has, always will. Save the color for the seasonal flowers and decorations as seen here. Love this look? Drop us a line, and we can help.

The Goods - A French Chest

2010-01-27T05:54:00.003-05:00

This gorgeous new french chest, with its subtle patterned front, is one of our newest additions in the boutique.

Lifestyle - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

2010-01-25T19:36:00.008-05:00

Continuing the garden theme, but staying a bit closer to home, we highly recommend a visit to Sarasota's Selby Botanical Gardens. After an unusually hard frost a couple of weeks ago, you might not expect much, but you'd be wrong. With an absolutely wonderful display house, you'll be dazzled with countless tropical plants year-round... and with the gardens overlooking the bay, gorgeous old homes on the property, mangroves, a butterfly garden, art shows, and the occasional jazz concert, there's always something fun afoot. The display house has orchids, bromeliads and other interesting tropicals galore:

As you exit the display house to tour the grounds, this guy greets you:

Walking the grounds, even after a harsh bit of weather, you'll see beautiful bits of color at every turn:

...and unique specimens like this zombie palm (Zombia Antillarum), native to the island of Hispanola:

Exploring the mangroves that surround the property, there's no telling what fun things you might find, like this new momma racoon escorting her young kit through the roots:

Before you leave, botanical art is often displayed in the Christy Payne Mansion, located on the grounds. Be sure to check it out. One example:

Click the logo to visit their website for more information. It's a wonderful and educational way to spend the day.

Lifestyle - Italian Gardens

2010-01-17T09:24:00.003-05:00

If the winter weather has you dreaming of a grand escape to the lush gardens of Italy, use the wonderful website, Grandi Giardini Italiani, to view many of them and plan your holiday. If a trip isn't in the budget, the website makes for some excellent web surfing. Several of our favorite photos are included here; click the logo below the pictures to link to the website.

-images via grandigiardini.it

The Goods - A Few New Items

2010-01-11T22:27:00.003-05:00

This week, we've had several days below freezing. Now, that doesn't seem so awful to many of you, but you'll have to admit that for Tampa, Florida, this is a little cold. That said, we moved here from a colder climate, and this weather has only served to remind us of the holiday cycle--there's the build up to Thanksgiving, constant Christmas tunes, candles, and twinkling lights for a month, and then dread... Spring will not arrive for several cold months. Of course, "cold" is relative, and we feel for those farther from the equator, but still... it's a great time to cheer yourself up by bringing a little spring indoors. Shown here are a few of our new spring items, including a few pots from Campo de Fiori, which are already seeded with moss (and which will turn a luxurious velvety green in the summer with proper light and regular watering). Enjoy, and imagine a warm day...

A gorgeous hyacinth in a Campo tulip pot.

Flowers on a lion's foot centerpiece with mirrored center.

A boxwood heart hangs by a ribbon.

Our newest votives claim le jardin de Paris.

A stalwart Roman stands guard near the door.

And a candle-powered chandelier with beautiful glass teardrops hangs in the garden room.

Hopefully these images put a little spring in your heart. Warm wishes...

Gardening - New Year 2010

2010-01-03T17:59:00.003-05:00

Here in Florida, we're lucky enough to enjoy a truly amazing climate. While others unfortunately welcome the new year with snow and ice, our camellias bloom to help us ring in the new year. Happy New Year's to all of you, and best wishes for a truly amazing year!

Entertaining - Death by Chocolate Cookie

2009-12-23T23:22:00.005-05:00

Seen above is the best chocolate cookie you'll ever eat. There's probably more that could be said, but we're awfully close to Christmas, so let's just get to it. Buy the ingredients below tomorrow morning. The prep is quick, and you're family will love these on Christmas morning.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter softened (use Plugra)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 1/2 oz of fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), melted and cooled

To make:

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer (or in a stand mixer on medium-high speed with paddle attachment) for about 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Lower speed to low setting and add flour mixture just until combined.
3. Continue on low speed while you add cocoa, baking soda, and finally the melted chocolate.
4. Form dough (which will be stiff) into a 14-inch log on a sheet of plastic wrap and roll up. Chill dough for at least 4 hours (can be chilled for up to five days, or frozen in a double layer of wrap for 1 month--although you'll want to thaw it in the fridge just until you can cut it).
5. Slice dough in 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices, roll edges in sugar, crushed pistachios, or whatever makes you happy, and bake the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet in a preheated oven at 375 degrees.
6. Cook cookies for 12-15 minutes, cool on sheets for another 4-5 minutes, and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Gardening - Paperwhites

2009-12-22T19:07:00.003-05:00

Perhaps no flower brings a more beautiful smell to the Christmas holiday than a paperwhite. They're quick-growing, gorgeous to look at, and absolutely wonderful to smell. If you're going to plant them, plant them in bulk. One bulb is beautiful, but nine or ten are sublime. After planting the bulbs with 3/4ths submerged into some good-quality soil, just add water and stand back. In just a week or two you'll have plants that are 6-12 inches tall:

Within another week, you'll have buds forming:

And a week or so later you'll have blooming plants standing 24 inches tall. When they begin to bloom, they get top-heavy and begin to droop; just construct a simple frame around them to hold them upright (the one in the picture took four twigs from the yard and about 15 minutes to make) and they'll stand tall:

From there, enjoy the blooms:

As a side note, researchers at Cornell University discovered that if you want smaller paperwhites that don't sag, you can simply water them with a solution containing 5% alcohol (they like the hard stuff--vodka, rubbing alcohol, etc. - no beer!), which will retard the growth. We happen to like the drama of the taller plants, but to each his own. Merry Christmas to all!

Design Tip - The Christmas Wreath

2009-12-16T14:19:00.004-05:00

Ever wonder what would possess us to chop up foliage, spin it in a circle, and hang the result on our door? Well, turns out that the Christmas wreath likely has its roots in the pre-Christian Germanic people who gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted them on fire as signs of hope and renewed light during the cold winters of Eastern Europe. Christians later kept these popular traditions alive to celebrate their hope in Christ, celebrating him as the everlasting light. The Christian wreath, or advent wreath, consists of four candles in a ring of evergreen with another candle set in the center. One candle is lit every night for the first week of Advent with another candle added to the nightly ritual each week. On Christmas Eve, the final candle is lit to represent the birth of Jesus. The wreaths we decorate with today arise from this tradition.

That said, you shouldn't relegate the beauty of the wreath solely to your front door. Get creative and enjoy the season:

on that front door;

on a window;

inside a window;

over a mirror;

over a chandelier; or anywhere else you feel like spreading a little Christmas cheer.

images via Traditional Home and Veranda.

Design Tip - A Christmas Rose?

2009-12-06T21:53:00.003-05:00

Speaking of roses, the ubiquitous red rose is not just for that lovers' day in February. The deep red petals and vibrant green stems are as perfect for Christmas decor as any amaryllis you'll find, a whole lot cheaper, and much easier to use throughout your home. By candlelight or the glow of a Christmas tree, they're perfect.

Entertaining - Thanksgiving Centerpiece

2009-11-28T23:25:00.004-05:00

Just a quick picture of the roses that served as a centerpiece to our Thanksgiving festivities. Hope you all had a wonderful day filled with family and friends... now on to Christmas!!!

The Goods - A Christmas Sale!

2009-11-12T16:20:00.002-05:00

Stop in for amazing deals on timeless Christmas decor.

Entertaining - The Beautiful Dragon Fruit

2009-10-18T20:07:00.004-04:00

This is a dragon fruit, and it is simply one of the most beautiful fruits around. Surprisingly, it comes from several species of cactus. Also known as the pitaya, it is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America; although, they are also cultivated in a number of Asian countries such as Taiwan, Thailand, and the Phillipines. Depending on the type, they can have either a sour or sweet, yet delicate, flavor. The texture is akin to that of a kiwi, and whichever variety you choose, their beauty and rarety make them a show-stopper. Here's how to serve:

First, cut the fruit in half.

Next scoop out the inside with a spoon (similar to an avacado)

Finally, chop the fruit into bite-sized pieces,

and replace in the halves for serving.

Enjoy!

Entertaining - Placecards

2009-10-17T21:35:00.003-04:00

With the holidays approaching, large gatherings of family and friends are upon us. Consider upping the ante on the entertaining game while at the same time simplifying the confusion. First, get yourself a great set of warming pans or serving trays, add a beverage server for that favorite holiday punch, and then use a set of reusable dry-erase place tiles to label your offerings for your guests. (Honestly, who marks place settings with these things? Let friends and family sit where they want and use these markers to eliminate all confusion about what mystery meat your serving.) The ones shown above are ceramic and come with a dry-erase marker, so you can wipe them off with a paper towel at the end of the night and store for the next gala. Good stuff.

The Goods - A Holiday Open House!

2009-10-13T21:30:00.001-04:00

If you're local, please stop in!!!!

Design Tip - Fruits of the Sea

2009-09-23T21:05:00.004-04:00

Look to the ocean for great accessories. We love combining great pieces from the sea for a sophisticated and timeless look. With calming tones and a guarantee that no two items are alike, you can create a calming atmosphere that you won't tire of. Whether it's a single starfish to bring interest to a cocktail table or a collection of coral for a cupboard display, you'll love the result.

The Goods - Lay Your Head...

2009-09-20T19:21:00.003-04:00

As Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, and other major home "decor" retailers strive to update their lines with something beyond the tired mission-style lines they've offered for decades, note the inclusion of a few printed pillows with Parisian themes. Then, come note that we've loved these items from the start, and offer the real deal. The mall is where you find homogenized clothes, food, footwear, jewelry, and, yes, decor. Come see us if you'd like to stand out.

The Goods - Gift of a Beautiful Scent

2009-09-19T23:22:00.003-04:00

As you may have noticed, the days are just starting to draw shorter. That can only mean the holidays are nearing... Accordingly, we're starting to stock the store with some great gift sets, like this one from Antica-Farmacista. Great stuff. We'll continue to post some fun little gift ideas as we inch toward our favorite time of year.

Entertaining - The Outdoor Room

2009-09-04T10:56:00.004-04:00

The fall season is nearly upon us, which means cool breezes and long nights are coming soon. For us Floridians, the most wonderful weather of the year is close. It's the late fall through early spring seasons that bring us mid-seventies, dry air, and the most perfect excuses to host garden parties. If you need some help planning your next event or just want some help creating the look above, stop on in.

2009-07-03T21:14:00.003-04:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!

Gardening - Figs

2009-06-20T17:27:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year when the first figs of the season ripen. If you can convince the birds to leave enough for you, there's nothing quite like a tree-ripened fig. For those that haven't grown them before, figs are simple, hardy, beautiful trees. The figs themselves, although typically thought of as a fruit, are actually the flowers of the tree. This type of flower is known as an inflorescence, or false fruit, where the seeds and flowers actually grow together to create a solid mass of goodness. Whether you call it a fruit or a flower, it grows curiously from the tree's branches. Starting out green...

...with some actually ripening green, dark blue, or brown. The one seen here is a brown Turkey fig, which adopts its name from the country, not the bird. It's a cultivar that grows well in Florida.

If you love figs, try reducing balsamic vinegar to a syrupy consistency, and then drizzling it over cut figs. It's awesome. If you're really looking to impress, throw a little goat cheese on top too.

Lifestyle - Bok Tower Gardens

2009-06-07T08:15:00.008-04:00

"Tampa Bay" is the loose title generally associated with the Tampa, Clearwater, and Saint Petersburg metro areas and their sprawling suburbs. That said, Tampa Bay's central location on Florida's west coast puts us within striking distance of countless daytrip opportunities. It's one of these trips that took us to Bok Tower Gardens yesterday.

Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark, dedicated as same by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929. The visionary behind the gardens, however, was Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant and humanitarian. Born in 1863, Edward Bok immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands when he was six. From there, the American dream took over. Edward became an office boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company at thirteen, later working his way up the publishing ladder through jobs with Henry Holt and Company, Charles Scribner's Sons, and The Brooklyn Magazine, eventually helming the Ladies Home Journal for many years as its editor. After retiring in 1919, Edward and his wife began construction of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida--about an hour from Tampa.

The gardens are located on one of peninsular-Florida's highest hills (still only 298 ft. above sea level), with the tower itself crowning the hill. That tower, which can be seen from miles around, was designed in a neo-Gothic and art deco style by famed architect Milton B. Medary, and was ornately crafted by the stone sculptor Lee Oscar Lawrie, perhaps best known for the Statue of Atlas in Rockefeller Center. The tower itself stands an imposing 205 feet tall, and includes a teakwood door weighing more than 1000 pounds that's overlaid with thirty hand-crafted panels in brass repousse, which depict the Biblical story of creation. The effect, frankly, is surreal.

The sheer magnitude of this sculpture is breathtaking...

...and the view from the hill over the surrounding orange groves is beautiful.

The base of the tower includes a sundial over a plaque commemorating President Coolidge's dedication.

Near the tower, an exedra stands on the site where Edward used to survey the surrounding territory on his hikes up the hill.

Ultimately, though, the place isn't called Bok Tower GARDENS for nothing, and a stroll through the acres of gardens surrounding the tower brings you up close and personal with an amazing array of flowers and greenery. The gardens were designed by famed landscape architect and wildlife conservationist, Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr.

Also located on the property is an old Mediterranean Revival mansion known as Pinewood Estate, which was built in the early 1930's as a winter residence for an executive with the Bethlehem Steel Co. Maintained as part of the gardens, it is equally inspiring.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy discovering its formal gardens and hidden grottos.

Speaking of children, the gardens are quiet and peaceful, but all ages are encouraged to enjoy them. There's plenty of room to run and play, lots of animals to discover and watch, special activities for the kids... and don't forget to feed the koi.

Bok Tower Gardens is a lesson in Florida History, showing again that for those of us who live here, there's a heck of a lot more to this place than mouse ears and beaches; there's real history and beauty. Of course, you may still be wondering why this column is here (despite the tower, house, and garden design), so you should note that among his many accomplishments, Mr. Bok coined the phrase "living room." Noting the stuffiness and uselessness of the old "parlors" and "drawing rooms," he once wrote, "We have what is called a 'drawing room.' Just whom or what it 'draws' I have never been able to see unless it draws attention to too much money and no taste..."
With that said, go enjoy the serenity of this place and remember the words of Edward Bok's grandmother--"Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it."

The Goods - Wine Tags

2009-05-28T12:12:00.003-04:00

Here's a collection of wine tags that are all the rage. We're considering carrying them. What do you think? Are they as funny and useful as we think they are?

Design Tip - A Simple Arrangement

2009-05-26T18:44:00.003-04:00

Two ideas are illustrated in this picture. First, if you're going to spruce up the place with flowers, it's always better to stick to the "one flower rule" (or at the very least "one color rule") to create something dramatic. In short, unless you really have the touch, leave the cheap looking grocery bouquet where it is; most times, it's simply busy and, frankly, cheap looking. Second, don't be afraid to stray from the glass vase; we're not fans of busy-looking vases, but a solid item, like this antique silver vase, is a welcome departure from the status quo.

The Goods - Juliska Sale

2009-05-18T21:56:00.008-04:00

It's no secret we love Juliska, and our customers do too. As a special gift, hurry in between now and May 30th for 20% off ALL JULISKA glassware and ceramics. It simply doesn't get any better than Juliska for gorgeous tableware and serveware; given our low margin, you may not see this deal again. Click the logo above to visit their website, then decide which pieces you can't live without.

Design Tip - Woodwork

2009-05-16T16:43:00.004-04:00

Woodwork doesn't always have to be painted glossy white. In fact, there's a heck of a lot more drama when it isn't--great way to show off lots of detail without looking busy.

- images via Curtis & Windham

Lifestyle - Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-08T20:46:00.003-04:00

To be a mom...

HAPPY MOTHERS' Day to all!!!

The Goods - Our Furniture

2009-05-07T21:39:00.004-04:00

The Cobbled Path's furniture line has the most amazing inverse cost to beauty/detail ratio we've ever seen. Sure, we're a little partial, but you'll agree when you see it.

The Goods - The Simple Glass Napkin Ring

2009-05-07T21:26:00.005-04:00

Hosting a dinner party? These glass napkin rings should be on the menu. Clearly, this classic berry and thread pattern goes with anything, and the look by candle light is divine.

The Goods - Urchin Art

2009-05-07T19:28:00.004-04:00

Speaking of a repeating patterns with a local vibe - here's a picture of one of our favorite pieces of art. Perfect for a beach house anywhere... or a traditional home with a love for the beach... or a modern home with clean lines... you get the point.

Design Tip - Repeat Your Style

2009-05-02T23:07:00.006-04:00

When in Rome... A repeating pattern is a time-honored stylistic creed. If you're coastal, like we are in Tampa, use those amazing natural gifts that are right at your feet. The result is something no human hands could replicate.

Entertaining - Dinner Party Favours

2009-05-02T22:50:00.003-04:00

At your next big event (and, yes, we know this is not practical advice for every dinner party you throw), consider offering something a bit more unusual as a gift for your guests. Imagine replacing either of the items shown below on this plate with a place card for your guest. What remains is the party favour. If any invitees declined the invitation, they'll wish they hadn't. Come see us for more unusual and elegant gifts.

The Goods - A New Old Chandelier

2009-05-02T22:25:00.004-04:00

A couple of quick shots of a new chandelier we just hung. Gorgeous, huh?

Design Tip - A Little Blue

2009-05-02T22:01:00.005-04:00

A beautiful French blue has always been able to add a delicate, light touch to a room. Used in a room of whites and creams, it's a feature color that's at once uplifting, dramatic, and somehow subdued. The trick is how to use it well. Our suggestions: use it in your linens. If you stick with light walls and light furnishings, the linens add a calm touch of color. For a recent customer, we offered these three options for the linens that would be featured in such a room:

You can see that each is subdued, classic, and yet markedly different.

A Special Post

2009-05-01T17:28:00.004-04:00

Here's a picture of a mirrored folding end table that is a favorite in our store. This item is always special, but a little more so this weekend. The one pictured here is being donated as part of a basket for a silent auction to benefit the Jacob Randall Foundation for Morquio, the proceeds of which will benefit research into this syndrome. We encourage you to spend a couple of minutes learning about this worthy cause yourself, and to donate if possible. Feel free to email us for additional information.

Gardening - Tampa's Spring Flowers

2009-05-01T16:47:00.006-04:00

Happy Friday! Here's what's blooming in Tampa:

Enjoy your weekend!

Gardening - The Hot Hot Sun

2009-04-26T13:17:00.006-04:00

Looking for a quick growing pop of color in your garden? Looking to grow a quick garden "wall?" Sunflowers may be the answer. Coming in shades of yellow and orange, various cultivars range in height from a few feet to over ten feet. True to their name, they love full sun; yes, even in Florida. In fact, sunflowers are native to the Americas and are thought to have first been cultivated in Mexico, although they can be successfully grown as far north as central Canada. Water them often to ensure quick growth, but they can stand a short drought. Gorgeous, huh?

Entertaining - Old World Chrusciki

2009-04-25T23:07:00.008-04:00

They're called "Chrusciki." If you're a lover of cookies, you have to try these... think, "warm funnelcake with a crunch." We used to buy these from a small market in Cincinnati. They're even better if you make them yourself.

Ingredients (Makes 7 dozen):
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large eggs
5 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon rum
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
Pure vegetable shortening, for deep-frying
Confectioners' sugar, sifted, for sprinkling

1. Melt butter, and combine with eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, extract, vinegar, rum, and sour cream in a large, heavy mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium-high until lemon colored. Gradually add enough flour to produce a fairly stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured board, and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, adding flour if necessary, until dough blisters, becomes elastic, and can be handled easily. Cut dough in half, and wrap one half with plastic wrap; reserve at room temperature.

2. Roll half of dough very, very thin, and cut into strips about 4 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide. Cut the ends on a diagonal. Slit each piece in the center, and pull one end through the slit. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with a towel to keep moist. Repeat with other half of dough.

3. Heat shortening in a cast-iron frying pan to 375 degrees. and fry the dough strips, a few at a time until lightly browned, about 1 minute, turning once with a long fork or tongs.

4. Drain chrusciki on brown paper bags or paper towels; transfer to a cooling rack, and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

5. Finally, store, tightly covered, in wax-paper-lined tins.

Note: This recipe makes an enormous quantity, so it can be halved if you wish, but do not divide the vanilla extract. Also, make sure the eggs and butter are room temperature when you begin. If your guests don't love these, do not invite them back; they are clearly not good people.

Design Tip - Reflecting on the Outdoor Room

2009-04-21T22:36:00.003-04:00

Speaking of great mirrors, we have a number of truly unique options that work well outside, and you shouldn't be afraid to add one to your outdoor space. A classic outdoor mirror in zinc, tin, copper, or the like will only get more beautiful with age. Done properly, it'll actually lend a timelessness to your garden from day one.

The Goods - A Favorite Mirror

2009-04-21T20:44:00.008-04:00

Here's a simple picture of some of the detail on one of our favorite mirrors. Two hang in the front room of our store. We love these, right down to the antiquing of the reflective mirror itself--each one of which is completely unique since they're done by hand.

Lifestyle - Blue and White

2009-04-19T20:18:00.005-04:00

Spring has sprung in Tampa. This season and last, designers seem to be falling over themselves to fawn over the pairing of blue (or light purple) and white... well, let's just say nature does it better. Get out there and enjoy yourselves.

The Goods - Silk Florals

2009-04-13T18:51:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone had a very happy Easter. As we welcome spring, we're looking forward to many spring flowers and the lightness of heart they bring. Quite simply, nothing beats fresh flowers for beauty. Of course, they can be ephemeral, which is why we always keep silk flowers as well. In addition to the arrangements we create ourselves, one of our favorite manufacturers of silks is NDI (Natural Decorations, Inc.) If you have something specific you'd like, call. If you'd prefer to simply pick and choose from various options, come visit us, or check out of few of these selections from NDI, which are all works of art:

The Goods - Aidan Gray

2009-04-07T15:24:00.003-04:00

Below, we've included a number of images showing furniture, decor, mirrors, and lighting from one of our favorite vendors, Aidan Gray. You'll no doubt have seen their goods numerous times in magazines such as Veranda, Southern Accents, Victoria, Domino, Elle Decor, and the like. Enjoy, and if you want to bring this look home, come see us at the shop.

Design - Alto-relievo

2009-04-07T13:39:00.006-04:00

A beautiful example of alto-relievo.

Gardening - David Austin Roses

2009-04-04T11:47:00.008-04:00

Beautiful, right? These roses are technically titled "The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild," and were planted bareroot only six weeks ago. They don't have nearly the peony-sized blooms we'll see in years to come, and the raspberry scent isn't quite as strong as it will be, but they're amazing nonetheless.

As promised, here's the tutorial on planting bareroot roses. In picture A., you'll note the obvious--prepare by having either a beautiful planter picked out, or a sunny place in your garden--roses love full sun, even in our Zone 9. Besides decent soil and some rose food, picture B illustrates everything else you'll need--a watering can filled with water and root stimulator, and the roses themselves. Note that the roses arrive with roots that are longer than the branches, which have been trimmed severely back for shipping. In this picture the roots are dark because they've been soaking in a bucket of water overnight to rehydrate them; this is a crucial step, and you should rehydrate this way for at least several hours. When ready, prepare the planter (or a hole you've dug to approximately twice the width of the root ball) with good garden soil mixed with a good handful or two of rose food as seen in picture C. From that point, place your roses and begin alternating between loosely adding more soil and watering it in with the root stimulator so that the soil moistens and you eliminate any air pockets. Your result should look something like picture D, where you'll note we've added even more rose food before mulching. Roses are heavy feeders, so you'll want to continue to feed them every month or so.

As always, we recommend David Austin Roses for the best English roses, which blend wonderful size, color, and scent, and repeat bloom constantly throughout the summer. Click the logo below to visit the David Austin site.

Entertaining - New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc

2009-04-02T10:22:00.004-04:00

Much like art, the greatness of any given wine is often subjective. Those who claim to understand the subtle nuances of the regions where a wine is produced have probably sampled a few too many glasses. That said, we have found one wine that has absolutely, unmistakably been perfected in a single region of the world: Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. One of our favorites (and a favorite of others as well, having landed at #40 on Wine Spectator's top 100 list in both 2006 and 2008) is the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough:

If you try it, you'll note a crisp, tart flavor unlike any other wine you've tried, with strong grapefruit undertones--great for the spring and summer that are creeping up on us. For fun, grab another Sauvignon Blanc from anywhere else in the world, be it South America, Australia, California, and compare the two. For once, you'll be able to taste a marked distinction between the same wine being produced in one area of the world as opposed to another. That said, it's also relatively inexpensive, with the Kim Crawford running in the middle of the pack at about $15, and the upper end running under $30 with bottles such as this Saint Clair Pioneer Block from Marlborough, New Zealand:

You'll no doubt drink the whole bottle, but if you intend to save some of the second one you open, see us for one of our erasable wine stoppers, which have been featured on HGTV and in several magazines:

Design Tip - Big Style in a Small Space

2009-03-31T21:56:00.003-04:00

Buying your first place? Downsizing? You don't have to sacrifice style or feel imprisoned because you can't afford the mansion in the 90210 area code. If you're going to inhabit a small space such as a loft, think monotone to extend the eye, then add stylish accessories. Take this loft as a prime example:

Lifestyle - Happy Easter 2009!

2009-03-24T21:12:00.007-04:00

Happy Easter!!! One of our favorite holidays is almost here. Below is an image used for one of our Easter ads. If you like the bunny or the nest, hurry in. Of course, you can almost taste the Cadbury mini eggs, right? Trust us, they didn't last long after the shoot. Now owned by Hershey, who would have thought that John Cadbury opened his first shop in Birmingham, England in 1824?

The Goods - Juliska

2009-03-17T16:54:00.007-04:00

We love Juliska. As their motto goes, it's "possibly the most beautiful tableware in the world." The company offers truly distinctive, gorgeous glassware, ceramics, and linens. Traditional Home used some of Juliska's glassware and linens in a story on personalized desserts...

The Berry Dinner Napkin is shown below in showcasing some absolutely amazing desserts:

The cake stand on the left is Juliska as well:

(Not sure how practical those single-serve wedding cakes are, but they sure look good, don't they?)

Entertaining - A Favorite Sauce

2009-03-16T12:29:00.004-04:00

Want to take your steak frites to another level? Try adding Bernaise sauce to the combo. There's really nothing better. Or, if you really want to wow friends by taking an otherwise simple steak to new heights, try Steak Oscar by adding asparagus, lump crab, and then bernaise over the top. Here's our favorite recipe for the sauce:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons- white wine vinegar
1/4 cup - white wine
1 - shallot thinly chopped
8 - black peppercorns
4 sprigs of - tarragon
3 - egg yolks
1 cup - butter (unsalted) clarified
2 teaspoons - lemon juice
1 pinch - salt and pepper

Steps:

* Place the vinegar, wine, shallots and peppercorns into a shallow saute pan.
* Reduce this mixture until approximately 2 tablespoons are left. Add the sprigs of tarragon half way into the reduction time.
* Strain through a fine mesh strainer and set off to the side.
* Set up a water bath like the pictorial shows.
* Place your egg yolks into the bowl and slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of the reduction.
* Whisk the eggs rapidly over the water bath until frothy and then slowly pour in the clarified butter.
* Whisk quickly to emulsify the eggs and butter. Thicken it to the point that it falls from the whisk in ribbons.
* Once the sauce is thickened, remove it from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice and season to taste with any salt or pepper (although you probably won't need much more than a pinch of salt).

Here's a neat trick--the sauce will break if you keep it exposed to direct heat, and it will thicken to the point of becoming rather unappetizing if you let it cool for too long. Instead, let it cool for just a minute or two in the bowl, and then store it in a thermos until you're ready to use it. It'll keep this way for close to an hour. The result, pure heaven:

If you refrain from adding the reduced vinegar mixture, you'll have a classic hollandaise sauce, which is a favorite over asparagus (or any number of other foods):

Design Tip - Ocean Decor

2009-03-10T09:00:00.007-04:00

In Florida, we suffer through a few cold days in the winter (you can literally count them on one hand), but pretty much divide our year between a humid summer and a beautiful spring-like winter. Here, sun, sand, and water are everywhere, which is why Florida is such a popular tourist destination. There's just something magical about the sound of the surf and the sand between your toes. If you want to bring that breezy, sun-soaked magic home with you, we recommend working shells and coral into your decor. To do it well, skip the jar of sand and shells on the coffee table. Instead, try arranging several nicely sized pieces (coral, shells, starfish, or whatever suits your fancy) in a cabinet, like this:

or this:

For the walls, let's also skip the tired seascape painting, and instead try a collection of coral or shell prints:

or a collection of like finds (although resist the temptation to clutter):

Finally, for another great way to bring the ocean home, we love the idea of planning a refined dinner party outdoors using large shells for bowls. If kept simple, the look is exquisite:

-images via pheoehoward.net, housebeautiful.com, myhomeideas.com.

The Goods - Wooden Furniture

2009-03-02T21:01:00.003-05:00

Below, you'll see several items from our line of hand-finished, hand-painted furniture which comes in a number of distressed finishes, including the cream color shown, a beautiful green, french blue, etc. In fact, for the first time ever, we're offering the public an option we've previously only offered our designer friends--bring us a paint chip in ANY color, and we'll have it matched and hand-distressed for you. These pieces have all the charm of their antique counterparts for a fraction (literally) of the price. Moreover, we've had more than one customer comment that these are the ultimate family friendly pieces--a scratch from your child or a pet only adds to the distressed charm. Don't see something you like? We have hundreds of options. Come see us. If you aren't local, we can arrange shipment at very reasonable rates. Call, email, or stop in for specific pricing.

Lifestyle - The New Veranda

2009-03-01T21:42:00.005-05:00

Kudos to Veranda, which recently gave us a proper website with which to admire its work. The magazine has always been a favorite, but the website was apathetic, at best--giving us no real content. That's changed. Check out the new website (http://www.veranda.com/), which shows real promise, with a number of great stories, and, as has always been the case with the magazine, some of the most beautiful images to be found.

-images via Veranda.com

The Goods - Lampe Berger

2009-02-26T08:56:00.012-05:00

Our first Lampe Berger shipment is in and on display, so please come by and see the new lamps and smell the new scents if you're local. Many of you already own these lamps and understand them. For those that don't, here's your primer...

Unlike any other system, which merely masks odors, the LAMPE BERGER diffusion system makes it possible to destroy, by catalytic oxidation, the molecules causing the odors of tobacco, cooking, and other domestic odors. Essentially, the heat developed by the catalysis attracts odor molecules to it, and then breaks them down. The catalyst of the burner supports the oxidation of these molecules and prevents them from recombining.

While this is going on, Lampe Berger's patented technology allows extremely fine diffusion of the home fragrance you choose into the room, giving unequalled, fast, long-lasting, and homogenous performance. There are approximately 40 fragrances available, and we're currently stocking quite a few of them. If you have a favorite though, post it in the comments below or send us an email at thecobbledpath@verizon.net so we can be sure to have it on hand. One of our favorites is called New Orleans, and it's a warm smell with vanilla and cinnamon undertones:

Lifestyle - The Ringling Museum

2009-02-22T23:45:00.011-05:00

The John and Mable Ringling Museum is just a short drive from Tampa, and provides ENDLESS inspiration. If you're local, visit. If you're planning a visit to the Gulf coast of Florida, include a day at Ringling in your plans--as these pictures will confirm, the grounds alone are worth the effort.

To this day, Mable is credited with having one AMAZING rose garden. When they're all in bloom (April or May), we'll return. Two beautiful specimens already in bloom:

Naturally, what's inside isn't bad either. You obviously don't want to engage in any flash photography, but if you're lucky, you'll snag a couple of good ones without it... A few of our favorites:

The Goods - Hands & Copper

2009-02-21T20:47:00.009-05:00

They say the story of a man is written on his face. Given the evident wear, we're sure these antique doll hands have quite a curious story of their own. That copper table has some history too...

If you stop by the store, you'll be amazed at how neat (albeit diminutive) these are.

The Goods - Cheese Accessories

2009-02-21T10:49:00.010-05:00

Say CHEESE!

This cheese spreader, name tile, and wooden cheese tray--new at the boutique. Stop by and see us before your next dinner party. We've got some wonderful new wine accessories too. Of course, if your event is of a grander nature, we're happy to help you plan.

Design Tip - Cover It In Green(ery)

2009-02-19T21:48:00.011-05:00

Outdoors, any wall looks immensely more stately covered in some sort of greenery. A favorite of ours is winter creeper euonymus. If trained religiously and given sufficient time, it'll do amazing things. For perhaps the best example of just how amazing it can be, look at the columns of the loggia at Villa Balbianello on Lake Como, Italy. (And yes, you've seen that loggia featured in a number of movies, including our favorite Bond flick...) Admittedly, this building would still look good with mud smeared on it, but trust us, a little greenery to soften and enliven your walls will do wonders.

Lifestyle - A Night in Paris

2009-02-18T09:42:00.011-05:00

We stumbled across these wonderful images of Paris that emphasize the beauty of the place and capture exactly why the city of lights remains the epicenter of beautiful design. We hope you'll find these as inspiring as we do:

-images via F. Relaix

The Goods - Angels Among Us

2009-02-16T15:20:00.009-05:00

Here's a high key photo of a favorite item in our boutique. It's one of a pair of eight-foot, wooden angel wings covered in gold leaf. Gorgeous, huh?

Of course, you can never have too many angels around you.

Lifestyle - Valentine Flowers

2009-02-16T15:12:00.006-05:00

We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day!

The Goods - Antica Farmacista

2009-02-11T00:33:00.011-05:00

Quite simply, this line is one of our favorites--scents that descend from heaven, yet emanate from simple, gorgeous vessels... Antica Farmacista.

Lifestyle - Garden Buildings

2009-02-10T10:14:00.006-05:00

As financial markets contract worldwide and the gyre of nay-saying buzzards seems to grow ever tighter, we (smartly) no longer look to keep up with the Jones' and buy a bigger, more expensive home. Instead, we eye our current space, or even a smaller one, and imagine a long term relationship. Eyes have turned to decorating, beautifying, and appreciating what we have, and not what we wish we had. That said, an interesting and stylish way to expand your current living space is to extend it into the lawn or garden by making that outdoor "room" livable. To do so, we recommend anything from a simple arbor and bench, to a gazebo or sunroom--each of which is much less expensive than building a formal living structure. To be clear, these items come in many styles, so you can no doubt find something you'll love. Some of our favorites include:

-images via HSP Garden Buildings.

Design Tip - Rid the Clutter

2009-02-09T18:50:00.019-05:00

Declutter. You hear that word from every decorator that graces your television screen as he or she helps an owner prepare a hopelessly messy home for sale. If that's a worthy enough goal in creating first impressions, it should be your goal every day. Why take the time to feather your nest only to entice another? Beautify your space today. Of course, if you're going to be sticking notes to the fridge, shouldn't the clutter be as stylish as possible? We recommend:

one of these magnets of clay and newspaper,

or one of these magnet boards.

The Goods - Valentine's Day

2009-02-01T14:31:00.004-05:00

Just a few shots from the store's Valentine's display:

Lifestyle - Roses and Containers

2009-01-31T15:09:00.017-05:00

It's that time of year when we Floridians should begin thinking about our gardens again (not that we ever really stop). It's the time of year when flowers are planted to ensure best root development before the heat of summer, the time of year when new palms should be transplanted for the least stress on the tree, and the time of year when planters should be filled to ensure growth and fullness before the first spring party is thrown outdoors.

As far as flowers go, the English Roses of David Austin are widely regarded as the best of the best--some having large, peony-like flowers and wonderful fruity scents. David Austin began as an amateur rose breeder more than fifty years ago, and now ships his roses, bare-root, around the world. For the locals reading this blog, David Austin lists Mabel Ringling Rose Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, among the 21 best gardens in the United States featuring his roses. Here are some of our favorites.

The Scepter'd Isle:

The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild:

and Harlow Carr:

-images via davidaustinroses.com

Roses shipped bare-root to Florida are typically shipped in February, earlier than other parts of the country, so get your orders in now. We'll provide a tutorial on proper planting soon.
As long as we're talking gardening, there's an epidemic in America of too many people buying too small and cheap of pots to make their gardens fulfilling. Don't get us wrong, plastic pots from the local home center can be very useful and can certainly save money, but no matter how good they are, they will not import a sense of beauty and timelessness to your garden. Moreover, if you put a little extra money and care into quality planters, you'll carry them through life to every home you ever own. Take a look at a few of our favorites:

Design Tip - Remember the Glow

2009-01-28T23:57:00.013-05:00

Often overlooked is the fact that no matter where you live in this world, you'll spend at least half your days in darkness. That said, when looking at buying a house or remodeling a space, visit it or at least imagine it at night, picture the lighting, and then plan something dramatic. This takes only minutes, but you'll appreciate it for life.

The Goods - Mariposa

2009-01-26T12:29:00.008-05:00

More exciting news! Mariposa is now available at The Cobbled Path. Mariposa is well-known for exquisite, high-quality products, including ceramics, glassware, and aluminum serveware.

The Goods - Pom Pom at Home

2009-01-25T09:40:00.015-05:00

Pom Pom at Home and Pom Pom Interiors are amazing lines we stumbled upon when looking for linens for our boutique. The lines are designed and owned by designer-to-the-stars, Hilde Leiaghat. If you have the chance to visit her websites, you'll see some amazing linens, furniture, and accessories. Also, there's a very nice "thank you" note HERE from Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, whose twins' nurseries Hilde decorated. If you like what you see and are fairly local, stop by and check out the linens for yourself.

Our Pom Pom at Home line offers gorgeous bed linens for adults:

...the nursery:

...and for the table and bath:

- images via pompomathome.com

The Goods - A Sitting Room

2009-01-24T18:22:00.013-05:00

THE SITTING ROOM - We supplied the chair, the garden wall cherub, the wreath, and the cabinet. If you like the woodwork, we'll point you in the right direction.

The Goods - Bella Cucina

2009-01-24T09:05:00.010-05:00

Of course, one of these Bella Cucina spreads, as seen in our boutique, would go nicely with the Poilane bread below...

Lifestyle - Poilane at Home

2009-01-24T08:03:00.007-05:00

Another French item that you can actually entertain with at your next soiree is the bread from the well-known breadmakers, Poilane. The famous storefront:

Amazingly, the Poilane company now turns out 15,000 loaves of bread per day in 24 wood-burning ovens that are exact replicas of the ovens used in this little shop, many of which are shipped to patrons worldwide. CLICK HERE to order the iconic loaves you see below.

Lifestyle - Macaroons

2009-01-23T22:55:00.013-05:00

Laduree, in Paris, makes the most famous of macaroons, and packages them gorgeously. Hungry? No, we haven't figured out a way to offer them fresh in our store, but we're working on it...

-image via Laduree.fr

For those of you throughout the United States that would like something similar... try Sucre, located in the Frenchest of cities, New Orleans. CLICK HERE to order a number of amazing confections, including these:

-image via shopsucre.com.

Design Tip - Planters Worth Your Dollar

2009-01-23T22:09:00.011-05:00

Budgets are tight, and will be for a while, so if you're going to buy, spend your money where you'll enjoy it for years to come. For instance, we all love beautiful flowers and plants, but those things can be ephemeral. However, a quality, handcrafted pot can raise any plant to something sublime. Heck, a weed would look good in these two examples:

a beautiful iron cherub planter, or

the famous "tulip planter" by Campo de Fiori. That's spending you'll appreciate forever, right?

The Goods - Lampe Berger Announcement

2009-01-23T20:21:00.013-05:00

We're happy to share that we've been selected to carry the Lampe Berger product line for the Tampa area. Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso were the first “well-known people” to appreciate Lampe Berger, and the lamps have since become collectors' items (although they start as low as $40). The scents are out of this world. Very exciting!!! We expect to have our first shipment in stock within the next two weeks.

The Goods

2009-01-22T23:51:00.013-05:00

This is a soap from Claus Porto, which has been around since 1887. These soaps come in a variety of amazing scents, are all-natural, not expensive, and look pretty darn cool too (each variety is basically wrapped in artwork). This is the type of simple accessory you can add to your home, no matter what your budget, and illustrate a sophistication and style that most people simply miss (back to the details making the difference). Of course, that's not to say you need to go out and buy this exact item. What we mean to say is that although the soap pump from the local grocery gets the job done, it doesn't carry the style this does... and probably doesn't last as long. Do yourself a favor and go old-school in the powder room.

Design Tip - Details, Details...

2009-01-22T23:28:00.008-05:00

The details are what matters. It isn't the big items. It isn't the size or shape of the space. It IS what you do with the details. Look at the picture below. The aged, terra cotta figures are a favorite at our shop, and you can easily see why. The basket is beautiful. The fern is something special. However, would this be half as cool without the figures wired on to the basket? No.