The Key to Happiness
In love with Florida, one couple headed south and discovered a fresh island cottage under a mango tree.|Text by Elizabeth Raines Beeler with Coastal Living Magazine
In Key West, some houses brighten the landscape as much as the lime trees and vibrant sunsets the island is known for. Take Casa Mango, the vivid cottage tucked beneath the oldest mango tree in town. Originally a two-room bungalow, the 1928 structure gained a rambling, imaginative feel thanks to several additions and renovations, but retained just enough of the authentic shotgun plan to allow tropical breezes to blow straight through.
West Virginians Don and Betsy Harrold spent years vacationing in Florida and searching for a home there. "We just slowly moved farther and farther down the coast, scratching the rest of the state off the list," Don says. Then they reached Key West.
On this island, any style goes. Don and Betsy walked through enough homes to realize that some locals saw beauty in Hemingway-esque dark wood interiors. But that look wasn't for them. "We wanted a house with a lighter atmosphere," Betsy says. "A fun, happy house that would really feel like a vacation home when our three children and five grandchildren visit." After looking at about 30 homes, they finally found what they wanted. The cottage with the turquoise floors was the one they couldn't pass up.
With a soothing hue already underfoot, the Harrolds enlisted Suzanne Brown of Gordon Alvarado to further the effect. "We went through several palettes, but I just loved the bright ones," Betsy says. Drawing inspiration from the tree out back, they coated the home's exterior in vibrant mango. "Traditionally, homes in the tropics have blue ceilings to give the illusion of sky and to deter bees and hornets," Suzanne says. "You can sit on the sofa and feel like you're outside."
The interiors came together in a spectrum of ocean blues. White walls, upholstery, and architectural accents allow the sea-inspired hues to pop. In the living area, an Akari paper lantern by 20th-century artist Isamu Noguchi hangs overhead, lending a modern edge. Below, sea glass shades swirl in a custom coffee table. Functional curtains with velvet trim and tiebacks soften the look and provide a visual divide between the living and dining areas. "It's a bit of island, a hint of Bohemia, and a touch of tradition all at once," Suzanne says. "That's what I love about island design. You can create a room in any style and still have it read as tropical."
At the Harrolds', the line between indoors and out is blurry. "Pop open any window and you can smell a variety of fragrances," Betsy says. In the living area, a wall of doors extends the space onto a courtyard, where the soothing palette continues. Turquoise decking surrounds an aqua-tiled pool and leads to two small bedrooms. While the home has two conventional baths, the Harrolds usually opt for the outdoor shower shaded by the mango tree's sinuous branches.
"We spend six or more months a year here in Key West―never enough," Don says. In a town full of color, on an island that punctuates Florida's vibrant Keys, they've found their own bright spot.
From the July/August 2008 Issue Printed from:
http://www.coastalliving.com/homes/decorating/key-to-happiness-00400000000526/
Copyright © 2013 Time Inc. Lifestyle Group. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy ( Your California Privacy Rights). Ad Choices
In love with Florida, one couple headed south and discovered a fresh island cottage under a mango tree.|Text by Elizabeth Raines Beeler with Coastal Living Magazine
In Key West, some houses brighten the landscape as much as the lime trees and vibrant sunsets the island is known for. Take Casa Mango, the vivid cottage tucked beneath the oldest mango tree in town. Originally a two-room bungalow, the 1928 structure gained a rambling, imaginative feel thanks to several additions and renovations, but retained just enough of the authentic shotgun plan to allow tropical breezes to blow straight through.
West Virginians Don and Betsy Harrold spent years vacationing in Florida and searching for a home there. "We just slowly moved farther and farther down the coast, scratching the rest of the state off the list," Don says. Then they reached Key West.
On this island, any style goes. Don and Betsy walked through enough homes to realize that some locals saw beauty in Hemingway-esque dark wood interiors. But that look wasn't for them. "We wanted a house with a lighter atmosphere," Betsy says. "A fun, happy house that would really feel like a vacation home when our three children and five grandchildren visit." After looking at about 30 homes, they finally found what they wanted. The cottage with the turquoise floors was the one they couldn't pass up.
With a soothing hue already underfoot, the Harrolds enlisted Suzanne Brown of Gordon Alvarado to further the effect. "We went through several palettes, but I just loved the bright ones," Betsy says. Drawing inspiration from the tree out back, they coated the home's exterior in vibrant mango. "Traditionally, homes in the tropics have blue ceilings to give the illusion of sky and to deter bees and hornets," Suzanne says. "You can sit on the sofa and feel like you're outside."
The interiors came together in a spectrum of ocean blues. White walls, upholstery, and architectural accents allow the sea-inspired hues to pop. In the living area, an Akari paper lantern by 20th-century artist Isamu Noguchi hangs overhead, lending a modern edge. Below, sea glass shades swirl in a custom coffee table. Functional curtains with velvet trim and tiebacks soften the look and provide a visual divide between the living and dining areas. "It's a bit of island, a hint of Bohemia, and a touch of tradition all at once," Suzanne says. "That's what I love about island design. You can create a room in any style and still have it read as tropical."
At the Harrolds', the line between indoors and out is blurry. "Pop open any window and you can smell a variety of fragrances," Betsy says. In the living area, a wall of doors extends the space onto a courtyard, where the soothing palette continues. Turquoise decking surrounds an aqua-tiled pool and leads to two small bedrooms. While the home has two conventional baths, the Harrolds usually opt for the outdoor shower shaded by the mango tree's sinuous branches.
"We spend six or more months a year here in Key West―never enough," Don says. In a town full of color, on an island that punctuates Florida's vibrant Keys, they've found their own bright spot.
From the July/August 2008 Issue Printed from:
http://www.coastalliving.com/homes/decorating/key-to-happiness-00400000000526/
Copyright © 2013 Time Inc. Lifestyle Group. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy ( Your California Privacy Rights). Ad Choices
Phote by :Jean Allsopp
Suzanne Brown is not only a Sculptor and ace Interior Designer as if that weren't enough, but a fine Seamstress doing work in Key West and beyond for residential, commercial and boating clients. It's all about textiles, wood, stone, glass, paint, plaster, lino and bamboo.
Re purposed and sculpted into Custom Signs Sails Draperies Capes Cushions & More.
First ever Wonder Dog Award recipient 2018 -
Suzanne Brown "Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree"
Since 2017 Suzanne has been a Kinetics Coach in area Key West elementary, high schools & special needs programs in connection with Key West Art & Historical Society and the Key West Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade. This is a super fun event as well as great hands-on learning experience for the students.
We are especially proud of her. In 2018, Suzanne Brown was inducted into the Hall of Fame when she became the first ever recipient of the Wonder Dog Award as special recognition by KW Papio Parade partner Marky Pierson of Wonderdog Studios. Yes, it was for her amazing creation and nod to Key Wester, Shel Silverstein and his book The Giving Tree! Our minds were blown! Check out the video below.
Congratulations, Suzanne !
Check out this nice article from the KW Art & Historical Society's publication By michael
Posted April 12, 2018.
Between two towering Stanley Papio metal sculptures, back row left to right, Key West Art & Historical Society Director of Education Adele Williams, Horace O’Bryant Middle School teacher Katie Holtcamp, Kinetic Coach Suzanne Brown, and HOB teacher Ashlie Hood led a group of students in exploring the life and works of the late rebel folk artist at Fort East Martello
April 11, 2017 – (Key West, FL).
Kinetic Coaches in Schools program sparks STEAM concepts and social commentary through sculptural floats and Outsider Art
As the outrageously, creatively, wild and whimsical May 5 Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade draws closer, students from multiple Key West schools are now busily engaged in crafting human-powered moving sculptures through a ‘Kinetic Coaches in Schools’ program initiated last year by Key West Art & Historical Society. The kinetic float building projects actively engage the students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) initiatives, as well as offer a unique opportunity to explore social commentary through art, a means of expression for which parade namesake Stanely Papio was well known.
Organized by Society Director of Education Adele Williams, and supported by generous grants and scholarships from Historic Tours of America and Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, local artists Suzanne Brown, Steve Linden, and Crystal Smith are working as Kinetic Coaches with student groups from Horace O’Bryant Middle School, May Sands Montessori Charter School, Sigsbee Charter School, Key West Preschool Co-Op, Key West Collegiate Academy, and Key West Homeschoolers. To initiate their projects, each group was invited to Fort East Martello, home of a collection of more than 100 original Stanley Papio metal sculptures, for “Stanley: The Man, The Legend,” a presentation by Williams that offered a first-hand look at the physical and social commentary elements found in the works of pioneering folk artist. The Kinetic Coaches followed Williams’ presentation with a “think tank” session to introduce students to the concept of “Outsider Art,” to help them explore their own views on social commentary, and learn key kinetic principals that they can apply to their kinetic sculpture floats.
“Our wheels are starting to turn and so far, the students feel the need to send a message to the community and across the country that they want guns out of schools,” says HOB Art teacher Ashlie Hood, whose two groups are working with Brown.“And we are focusing more on the recycled materials this year. I think that is important for the students to see what they can do with their “trash.””
The program’s Kinetic Coaches were selected based on their professional background and experience with children. Brown, a textile artist who studied metalsmithing and ceramics at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, has spent the last three decades with mixed media and three-dimensional art-building as her passion, habitually spurred by the discovery of a found object. She has taught classes in everything from sewing to 3D art and design. Linden, who got his bearings with a B.F.A. at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts, exhibited during the SoHo heyday and is currently represented in the Ripley Museums and M.O.M.A. He has worked with kids in the school system for more than thirty years.Key West Preschool Co-Op art teacher and The Society’s Children’s Creative Program Designer Crystal Smithhas specialized in mixed mediums, including photography, theatrical makeup, recycled material art, and body painting for more than 15 years, and loves sharing her passion for art and the magic of creation with children.
The coaches receive a $600 stipend for their efforts, supported by a donation from Historic Tours of America, and the student groups each receive $400 scholarships from Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina. The program provides students countless opportunities to tap into STEAM concepts as access points for guiding inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
“By engaging in artistic activities and study, children develop confidence in their abilities and learn how to innovate,” says Key West Preschool Co-Op VPK teacher Natalie Robinson.“The arts encourage risk-free exploration, and it is this freedom that builds confidence in our children.”
With the students’ problem solving, collaboration and creativity, their kinetic sculptures are full “steam” ahead. Witness their genius at the May 5 Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade, which kicks off from the Custom House Museum at 5:00pm and then join the post parade festival and concert at Truman Waterfront Amphitheater and see the floats lined up there for all to admire.
Presented by Key West Art & Historical Society and co-produced by Wonderdog Studios, for Parade registration, entry guidelines, sponsorship information and a complete event schedule, visit www.papiokineticparade.com. The Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of the Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida. Additional “Papio’s Pals” support provided by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Helmerich Trust, Historic Tours of America, Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, Pirate Radio, The Peace Store, Jimmy Lane Real Estate Team, Premier Painting, All Keys Insulation, Camping Florida Keys, Sam Kaufman Law Firm, Papa’s Pilar, Shipyard Brewing Co, Islamorada Brewing Co and South Beach Brewing Co, Tiki House Key West, and Blu on White Vacation Rentals. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
