Southwest Florida Attractions Guide for Families and Visitors

The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, a landmark since 1947, recently underwent a significant interior renovation that restored its original glamour while incorporating a whimsical, hand-painted wallpaper mural. The hotel's peachy facade has long been a fixture of Palm Beach's laid-back glitz, but over the decades, the interiors had lost some of their luster. Co-owner Sarah Wetenhall initiated the restoration by researching historical photographs of the original lobby, providing a blueprint for the design firm Kemble Interiors. Kemble Interiors meticulously revived the lobby's former splendor, adding vintage brass tables crafted to resemble palm fronds, elegant scallop-backed sofas upholstered in Pierre Frey floral fabric, and arch-backed rattan chairs. A key discovery during the renovation was the original black terrazzo flooring, which was revealed after carefully removing the overlying marble. This restoration effort aimed to bring back the hotel's authentic aesthetic while enhancing it with contemporary touches. Central to the lobby's transformation is a custom eighteen-foot floor-to-ceiling mural, commissioned from the hand-painted wallpaper firm de Gournay. Inspired by the rich flora and fauna of South Florida, the mural transforms the lobby into an immersive experience reminiscent of the Everglades. Wetenhall describes the effect as akin to "walking into the Everglades," but with a playful twist. The mural features whimsical elements such as flamingos adorned with top hats, a panther sporting a diamond collar, and a monkey depicted as "a little tipsy" from drinking a martini. This unique art installation serves as the focal point of the recently reopened lobby, offering guests a blend of historical elegance and imaginative artistry. The renovation not only preserved the hotel's heritage but also introduced a vibrant, distinctive aesthetic that captures the spirit of its Florida location. Guests can further enjoy the hotel's amenities, including Swifty's, a reimagined version of the renowned New York restaurant, located conveniently near the lobby for libations. The detailed artistry of de Gournay's work, as seen in the hotel, is also highlighted in their recently released book, "de Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors." #ColonyHotel #PalmBeach #HotelRenovation #HandPaintedWallpaper #DeGournay #KembleInteriors #FloridaDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryTravel

This article highlights three new home decor boutiques that have recently opened in Southwest Florida, specifically between Sanibel and Naples, in 2025. These shops, celebrated for their distinct styles and community contributions, are recognized for bringing character and purpose to the local retail landscape. The first featured shop is the STARability Home Collection, located in the Naples Design District. This expanded home decor shop is noted for its unique business model, where 100% of its proceeds support programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The collection primarily consists of high-end, secondhand finds, meticulously sourced and curated. Anne Fleming, the former general manager of Waterside Shops and a 2024 Gulfshore Life Woman of the Year, played a pivotal role in launching this new location, leveraging her luxury retail expertise and extensive network to secure top-quality donations. These donations include items such as Roche Bobois dining chairs, a John-Richard credenza, Natuzzi leather sectionals, velvet sofas, and vintage books, all maintained in excellent condition. Interior designer Monica Lukas is responsible for arranging these items into polished, showroom-ready vignettes, effectively showcasing the breadth and quality of the inventory, which can sometimes amount to a full house's worth of donations. Next, the article introduces 41 Home & Garden, an interiors-focused extension of Christian Busk’s well-established greenhouse and garden shop, also situated in the Naples Design District. Opened in the fall of 2024, this showroom showcases a blend of character-rich pieces, including Art Deco Donald Deskey originals, midcentury modern silhouettes, and Sicilian ceramics, all presented within a refined and relaxed setting. Christian Busk, known for his nearly 50 years of experience in transforming outdoor spaces, applies his keen eye for design to interiors. He personally curates the collection through extensive travel and estate sale exploration, combining deliberate selections with spontaneous finds. The store's unique appeal stems from this mix of precision and serendipity in its curation, inviting visitors to appreciate each item's story and craftsmanship. Assistant editor Annamarie Simoldoni notes the care evident in Christian’s selections, describing the shop as a thoughtful addition to the local design scene. The third shop is Home by Rachel Pierce, a boutique on Sanibel Island that opened last summer. Founded by Rachel Pierce, an NBC-2 anchor turned artist, the shop embodies a beach-forward aesthetic, earning a strong following for its breezy and well-edited collection. Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, a local restaurateur and Gulfshore Life Community Advisory Board member, highlights this shop as a standout new addition to the island. The interior design of Home by Rachel Pierce features seafoam green upholstery, octopus-patterned pillows, and various shell decor, complemented by curated furnishings sourced by co-owner Lauren Speas. Rachel Pierce actively engages her network of local makers, ensuring the shop remains deeply rooted in Sanibel’s creative community and reflects the natural beauty of the island. Collectively, these three establishments contribute to Southwest Florida’s home decor shopping landscape by offering diverse styles, supporting noble causes, and bringing unique curatorial visions to the forefront. #DesignInspiration #HomeDecor #RetailDebuts #SouthwestFlorida #Shopping #InteriorDesigners #LocalBusinesses #Philanthropy #ArtDeco #MidcenturyModern #CoastalStyle