I can always count on my best friend Alet Robert’s excellent taste anytime we go on a shopping trip. Recently Alet began redecorating her new home and I was able to tag along with her and grill her on her design philosophy as we hit up some of her favorite home stores in Jacksonville Beach.
Our first stop was Mrs. Howard Home Furnishings. The store offers an elegant mix of unique high-end pieces, luxury linens and china.
All of their pieces are displayed throughout various impeccably decorated rooms. In fact while browsing the store I felt as if we were walking through a tastefully decorated million dollar beach house.
Honestly when you look too hard…I think that’s when you don’t find anything. I feel like when I’m on the hunt for something I often don’t find it. I’m not as open to other ideas and I don’t see the beauty in some pieces. I’ve always done better when I’ve relaxed and kept an open mind.”- Alet says
“I like a fresh, sleek look…old mixed with new and more modern pieces. I like a pop of color through artwork, smaller pieces, rugs and throw-pillows.”- says Alet
“Find one big piece and build around that…that’s what I did. I had my main big pieces and I started with that. It’s also about affordability. I built around the basics like my couch in a basic grey and my modern lamps and end tables. I say go with the basics for your big pieces in neutral colors and then you can build around that and add accent pieces and accent colors.”- Alet says
After leaving Mrs. Howard we headed down the street to Pearl Home– another one of Alet’s favorite stores. Located in the heart of Jacksonville Beach Pearl Home offers hip, modern high-end designs. The store stood out for it’s unique light fixtures which resembled modern art, chic bedding and small artisan furniture pieces. The staff greeted us right away and offered to assist us in any way they could. I was also really impressed with the store’s large sale area which offered a wide selection of their beautiful pieces at a reduced price.
I want to have a shopping experience. I want to make it fun. I don’t stress myself out and think ‘oh my house has to be perfect! My house has to be done!’ because even when you are finished you’re like ‘what can I do next?’- says Alet
I like Mrs. Howard, Ashley Furniture, Pearl, I love the BEAM thrift store because you can find really good pieces there that are still in really good condition and for a great price plus you’re giving to the community. I like Underwood’s for some nice crystal pieces. I like Restoration Hardware and I love West Elm.”- Alet says
Finally we headed across the street to Beam Thrift Store where Alet has found more than a few hidden gems. BEAM is a great place to find fantastic pieces at a great price. Alet found her gorgeous chestnut wood cabinet there earlier this year. You can also go to BEAM to find furniture to fix up for a DIY project (which I will show you how to do in a future post!). It also offers an eclectic mix of vintage clothes, accessories and art-all at a discounted price. The best part about BEAM is that all of the proceeds go to a great cause: the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry.
“I have a lot of acrylic little end pieces from my Mother and a few of her ghost chairs…I like my couch from Ashley furniture and I am in love with my rug from West Elm it has really tied my room together and I have a really beautiful buffet piece from the thrift store actually BEAM. That was a great find.” Alet says.
Alet explains some of her design philosophy:
“I like to mix old and new…old furniture with a little modern…but I like to have comfort. I don’t like the fact that a lot of modern furniture isn’t very comfortable. I like to feel comfortable in my home as much as possible. I like to make my home unique to me. That is what I appreciate in a lot of other people’s homes [uniqueness] even if it’s not necessarily a style that I like…the fact that I can see someone’s personality in their homes…and that’s what I like to convey…my personality,” she says.
“I have artwork of my sister’s and I have artwork passed down from my Mother-she gave me a Gemelli and there’s also a Mo a local artist that did a great painting of my dog Ella,” she says.
Stores:
Pearl Home
791 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 372-0057
Mrs. Howard Home Furnishings
2400 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 241-1980
BEAM Thrift (7north)
318 7th Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 853-6246