Filed under: Fun Stuff, Design, etc, Architecture, Cool Homes
Travelers who appreciate architecture, art and shopping for home decor will love these four fun destinations for design lovers.
Travel for Design to: Annapolis, Maryland
Forbes magazine described Annapolis as "perhaps the East's most romantic town." We'd add prettiest too. Miles of sailboats line the harbor and we love that every business hangs a pretty flower basket outside their stores on May Day. Annapolis resident Susan Steckland runs the visitors center and loves the energy in the bayfront town. "Annapolis is a very inviting city," she says. "There are four centuries of architecture in a 21st Century town."
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There are more 18th Century brick buildings here than anywhere in the country. "It's like a museum without walls," she says. Meticulously restored Georgian, Green Revival and Victorian buildings are marked with historic plaques. Especially impressive is Paca House and Garden, an 18th-century Georgian mansion during the upheaval of the American Revolution, which is open to the public.
There are 25 art galleries and even more shops to browse downtown. Don't miss Evergreen Antiques (69 Maryland Avenue; 410-216-9067 ), Scarlet Letter Antiques (48 Maryland Avenue; 410-268-3331), and Aurora Gallery (67 Maryland Avenue; 410 263-9150). Blue Crab Antiques (108 Annapolis Street; 443-949-7055) has over 1700 items from around the world including nautical antiques and taxidermy fish and is located in a quaint section of 1920's wooden cottages within the West Annapolis Art and Antique District. Affordable temptations can be excavated at the specialty stores and Annapolis Antiques and Consignment Mall (20 Riverview Avenue; 410-266-5550).
Travel for Design to: La Conner, Washington
This waterfront village nestled between the San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains was founded in the late 1860's and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With only 850 residents, the town is so small that there are no stop lights ― or chain restaurants.
"It has many plusses," says Doreen Hendrickson, 80, a La Conner resident. "It's so close to so many things. I can walk four blocks to the water for espresso."
Connie Coleman
There are many Victorian houses to marvel at as you walk through town, as well as the City Contemporary, constructed of glass and steel with metal roofs. "The newer eco-friendly homes are 'Northwestern Contemporary,'" says real estate broker Jean Groesbeck. "Not big McMansions, but built on divided lots by people embracing nature with wood, stone and bamboo flooring." There are beautiful homes on the beach too: Old cabins in the family for years and, on the big bluffs, multi-million-dollar estates with gorgeous views.
Corbis Images
The idyllic picture heightens as float planes lift sightseers, from the channel running through town, to gaze at miles of spectacular daffodils in March, and again in April, when brilliant tulips bloom. A rotating sculpture exhibit lines the streets of historic downtown year round. From April to June, the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum (703 South 2nd Street; 360 466-4288) is featuring a "Hardware" exhibit, and in the Fall, the museum hosts a Quilt Fest, featuring hundreds of quilts, workshops and presentations.
Art lovers will be delighted by a June art auction at the Museum of Northwestern Art, aka MoNA (121 South 1st Street; 360-466-4446) and with Family Art Days (FAD), one Saturday every month during the school year. La Conner's galleries promote artists from the state of Washington. Stop by Earthenworks Gallery (713 1st Street; 360-466-4422), voted a Top 25 Retailer of American Craft. Caravan Gallery (619 South 1st Street; 360 466-4808) sells imported items such as masks, artifacts and textiles, and Courtyard Gallery (107 South 1st Street; 360 466-1200) specializes in outdoor furniture, fountains and sculpture.
When you've had your fill of galleries, visit eclectic shops like Mary Davis Lighting (402 East Morris Street; 360-466-3495) and Nasty Jack's Antiques (103 East Morris Street; 360 466-3209) where you will find affordable items for every taste and budget: English and American furniture, a myriad of vintage and nostalgic items, thousands of Life Magazines (1936-1972), and 300 fun advertising signs.
Travel for Design to: Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona's terra-cotta landscape, red sandstone cliffs and wind-shaped towers inspire another realm of magic. Its timeless, iconic stature and earthly masses (with 8 vortexes including Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock) stir the imagination. Indeed, USA Weekend voted the town #1 Most Beautiful Place in America.
Sedona Chamber of Commerce
Sedona's appealing adobe-brick-homes, accented by chile-pepper-ristras hanging from rough-hewn beams, are as irresistible as the Native American art adorning the smooth Kiva fireplaces. Fortunately, the intriguing Hopi Kachinas, Navajo Sandpaintings and Pueblo Pottery are highlighted at premiere galleries ― along with 200 other fascinating local artists.
Turquoise Tortoise Gallery (431 HWY179; 928-282-2262) displays everything from huge alabaster sculpture and authentic war shirts, while Lanning Gallery (431HWY 179 #A1-2; 928 282 -2262) offers classic and contemporary pieces. The Sedona Gallery Association collaborates with extraordinary exhibits and private studio tours, like the First Friday Gallery Tour on the first Friday of every month.
Sedona resident Heather Hermen recommends Saddlerock Barn Consignments (82 Saddlerock Circle; 928-282-1112), a barn that's loaded with "amazing treasures." "Everyone goes there for fine art and home decor. A piece for the patio, a really cool loveseat for the condo. There are even estate sales," she says. High-end furnishings can be found at at Designs West (6101 HWY 179; 928 203-9899) and Blackmarr's Furniture and Interiors (109 HWY 179; 928 282-5848 ). At Mexidona Importers Ltd (1670 U.S. 89 Alternate; 928 282-0858), there are Mexican style wrought iron and pewter.
Sedona Chamber of Commerce
Hermen also recommends Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, known as the "art and soul of Sedona." Tlaquepaque translates as "the best of everything." Expect to find 40 galleries and stores like Kuivato Glass Gallery (336 HWY 179, Suite B-125; 928 282-1212). "The impact of Kuivato's amazing glass art and jewelry is breathtaking," says Hermen.
And when you've had your fill of visual art, take a look at classic cars. On October 6-7, the Arizona Opera League of Northern Arizona (928-284-3034) presents a tour of one-of-a-kind luxury homes with classic cars also on view.
Travel for Design to: Asheville, North Carolina
For sheer elegance, be swept away by the "Paris of the South," as Asheville is sometimes called. Here, a grand centerpiece, Biltmore Estate (One Approach Road; 800 411-3812), an 1895 French Renaissance manor, graces 8,000 acres and remains America's largest residence.
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
While Vanderbilt's legacy envelops 250 rooms, Biltmore's Leann Donnelly says, "Only a portion of the 70,000 priceless objects are on view." These include five 16th century tapestries, the 18th century painting 'Chariot of Aurora,' and Napoleon Bonaparte's chess pieces.
Asheville resident Judy Spivey says there is a plethora of other Asheville gems. In the architectural mix is Douglas D. Ellington's Art Deco buildings, including the high school and Asheville City Hall, but you'll also spy houses in the Neoclassical, Romanesque Revival, Beaux Arts, Gothic and Spanish Renaissance styles.
Asheville's diverse shopping scene includes 200 local stores and 30 galleries. In the Biltmore Antiques District alone, there are over 75 dealers and 13 shops.
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
What destinations have you found with great design, beautiful views or top-notch shopping? Share in the comments!
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