Ready, Set, Season : Interior Design Blog

The signs are everywhere: less rain, milder temperatures, more jets overhead and more cars on our streets, to name a few. ‘Tis the season, Fort Myers. While “the season” does not have an official line-in-the-sand start date, year-round residents can feel it coming and part-time Floridians arrive with a sigh and a smile. It’s the best time of the year. And, there are ways to make the season even better.


Prepare to embrace life on the outside: Here at Robb & Stucky, we’d never minimize the importance of a beautiful interior. It’s what gets us out of bed – collectively – every day. But we think exterior decorating is especially important this time of year. Don’t be confined by the four walls of your house. Expand your living area to patios, decks, terraces and lanai, outside the bricks and mortar. This just in – Robb & Stucky’s full assortment of outdoor furniture, accessories, rugs and lighting is now available to help you on your way.

Don’t make reservations. Extend invitations: Let me restate that I am the #1 fan of the season and Southwest Florida. Love it! But I don’t love the long queues at my favorite restaurants. This season, I’m going to cultivate the habit of eating and entertaining IN. And filling my rooms – inside and out – with interesting people. Maybe I’ll even develop a signature cocktail. A comfortable and functional interior design plan is essential. If you have any challenges in this area, I have a recommendation: Robb & Stucky!

Mi casa es su casa: This is universally understood and agreed upon, right? Of course. Out-of-town guests are another staple of the season in Southwest Florida. Do everything you can to make your guests feel totally at home. This includes a charming, comfortable and well-supplied guest room with a comfy mattress, fresh linens, dresser and closet with ample storage space. Accessorize too. Your guest room should feel like a suite at a boutique hotel. Robb & Stucky has both the design talent and furniture to make your place the next W.

Get ready to crawl: One of my favorite after-hours seasonal activities is the gallery crawl. Southwest Florida is a hotbed of creativity. If the evening gallery events aren’t compatible with your schedule, you’re invited to “crawl” at Robb & Stucky, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. I’ve had the pleasure to curate an amazing selection of oils, watercolors, giclees and photography for our stores. The Fort Myers selection just might be my favorite.

Give it up for a cause: Fort Myers is a community with heart. For me – and Robb & Stucky too – the season isn’t just about sand, surf and sunshine. It’s also about actively engaging in community and charitable events to make this an even better place to live for all. At Robb & Stucky, we walk the talk. As an example, next Saturday Robb & Stucky hosts the Pink Heals Ladies’ Day along with other leading area businesses. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Myers store. Look for the stylin’ pink fire truck. Come for camaraderie and to support women’s causes. Consider yourself invited.

Are you ready to kick it off? The keys to a great 2014-1015 season are embracing the outdoors, at-home entertaining, out-of-town visitors and creativity … and doing it all with a big heart.


ABOUT MARK STUART: People impressed and inspired by the Robb & Stucky showroom often wonder where we get our ideas. Meet our creative mastermind Mark Stuart, a Florida transplant from Indiana. As Robb & Stucky Creative Director, Mark is responsible for the floor plan and visual display of all Robb & Stucky stores. In his spare time, he also shops the world for accessories and engages with our amazing buying team on wood and upholstery selections so our stores enchant as a unified, beautiful experience.