The Art of Simple: A Charming Seaside Boutique Worth a Visit

I’m finishing up a canopy I made for Clara’s bed and will share photos and a full how-to tomorrow, but today I wanted to tell you about a little window-shopping adventure instead. I considered writing about September 11th — I lived in New York City then and it remains one of the most life-changing days I’ve experienced — and I’m sending love and solidarity to everyone affected. I’m still not ready to write about it here, though sharing Clara’s birth story felt healing, so maybe I’ll find the words later.

For now, here’s a stroll through a small, inspired shop we discovered while on vacation in Destin. If you’re local, you’ll find it in downtown Seaside. If not, enjoy the photos and ideas — you might be able to order pieces by phone or borrow a detail for your next DIY.

The store—The Art of Simple—felt handmade and intentionally curated. The shopkeeper was friendly and the merchandise was a mix of vintage finds and original decor, thoughtfully styled. The overall palette leaned heavily on white with pops of red, gray, and aqua, which created a crisp, approachable aesthetic that’s easy to translate into a home scheme.

One detail that stood out was how some white bookcases were backed with beadboard instead of a typical thin panel. That simple swap gives furniture more visual depth and a cleaner, more finished look — a small change that makes a big impact in shelving styling.

Along the back wall they’d installed white subway tile with gray grout, paired with gray-washed floors that read like reclaimed barn boards. The floors were actually stick-down laminate, which is a reminder that you can get the look without the maintenance or cost of real wood. This combination would translate beautifully to a laundry room or bathroom where you want a clean, timeless feel.

At the back of the shop one dramatic accent anchored the space: a bold red beaded chandelier. It felt like a statement piece you could build a room around. I didn’t catch the exact price, but if that kind of splurge isn’t in the budget, the look can be approximated by refinishing a less expensive beaded fixture with a glossy candy-apple red paint.

I loved a set of understated black-and-ivory signs they carried. The color combination felt modern and slightly vintage, and the phrases were playful — things like “The Laundry” felt perfect for a laundry room, while “The Shanty” could be a quirky entryway label among a gallery wall. Those small, personalized touches are a quick way to give a house personality.

There was a lighted chick sign I wanted to take home, but my husband gently vetoed it. Still, it made me think about DIY marquee-style projects — you can adapt many tutorials to create playful, lit signs in custom shapes.

Globes were another fun offering. One had been painted blue, distressed with glaze, and had countries traced in black and gold — a crafty, vintage feel. Another was entirely chalkboard-painted so you could redraw countries and add measurements in a bright turquoise pen. Both are great examples of how to refresh an old globe into a contemporary accent or educational piece.

Vintage metal letters on display had a lived-in patina that felt authentic and cool. An old metal caddy was shown used for sorting laundry — a practical, attractive idea that elevates a functional task into part of your decor.

The shop also carried interesting pendants with customizable floral accents. The owner demonstrated rings of colored crystals and explained the colors can be tailored to your palette. For a single pendant over a kitchen sink, a one-of-a-kind touch in your primary accent colors could be a worthwhile splurge — she mentioned a ballpark price around $350 for certain pieces.

Small decorative mussel shells were priced modestly and displayed with soap holders, suggesting creative ways to style a bathroom accessory group. Their pink-and-bronze finish would pair beautifully with classic black-and-white tile and a pedestal sink.

There were genuine marquee letters from the 1940s — heavy, metal, and full of character — and a few vintage paintings with rustic frames. One favorite was a painting of an old gas pump, showcased on a red easel that made the teal and red palette sing.

All in all, The Art of Simple felt like a thoughtful edit of home decor ideas — a small shop that left a lingering impression weeks later. If you’ve discovered new boutiques recently, I’d love to hear about them. And if you’re in Virginia or nearby, tell me your favorites so I can add them to my list for future window-shopping trips.