HAPPY NEW YEAR
An enchanted evening to start the New Year!! Sugar rimmed glasses of bubbling champagne… a wonderful celebration cake baked with just the slightest touch of champagne. (you will have to wait until I do a cookbook to get my recipe) And to top it off, sparklers of 2017 to make any cake festive and exciting!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR with lots of wonderful times and projects to come!!
SPEAKING AT HIGH POINT MARKET
Off we go to High Point Market to speak on the Design Panel and explore new creative furnishings – going to be so much fun!! I was asked to join Steele Marcoux, the new Editor-in-Chief of Coastal Living Magazine, as well as top designers – Meg Braff and Michael Murphy and discuss new and creative ways to incorporate color into the home.
HIGH POINT MARKET: The World’s Home for Home Furnishings
The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, bringing more than 75,000 people to High Point every six months. Serious retail home furnishings buyers can be found in High Point twice a year because if you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist.
Current Demographics
TRACEY RAPISARDI DESIGN, LLC PARTNERS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING AND COASTAL LIVING!
SARASOTA, FL, MARCH 5, 2015 – TRACEY RAPISARDI DESIGN, LLC has been selected as a member of the Coastal Living and Southern Living Designer Network, a group of editorially recommended designers for readers of the Time Inc. titles. In late 2014, Coastal Living and Southern Living partnered to launch this brand-credentialed group of interior designers in key markets across the country.
All designers in the network have been vetted by editorial representatives of each magazine.
“Together Coastal Living and Southern Living inspire more than 20 million consumers each month with great interior design,” said Sid Evans, editor-in-chief of Southern Living. “This collaboration will allow designers the opportunity to connect with our consumers and bring the look of the magazines to life.”
“Our new Designer Network further strengthens our ties with the design community and showcases our unique roles as authorities on design to both the trade and consumers,” said Antonia van der Meer, editor-in-chief of Coastal Living.
“To be asked to go into partnership with Southern Living and Coastal Living is a great honor. I look forward to working with both brands on projects that will influence the readers and viewers with style – whether it is a home, a table set for dinner, or items in your beach bag!! It will be a wonderful experience to work closely with Southern Living and Coastal Living in this great adventure.” – Tracey Rapisardi
As an editorially recommended designer for readers of the Time Inc. titles (Southern Living and Coastal Living) we met in Nashville for a conference with brand-credentialed; builders and developers from across the country, sponsors of the Custom Builder Program, as well as the editors of both Southern Living and Coastal Living. What a great time we had and what creative and kind people we met!
Southern Living and Coastal Living did such a seamless job in Nashville – all the details were impeccable. Even down to the registration table decorated with Nashville flower arrangement. So cute!
Girl’s road trip???… Since we are located in Sarasota, FL, we thought it would be a good idea to make it a girls road trip – so we could have a little extra time to explore Nashville!
aka: shop… eat… and drink ; )
A morning in Franklin, TN… Just 20 minutes from Nashville was a little dream town – from the boutiques to the restaurants! Lunch at 55 South was fantastic – and the ambiance was just what you would expect in TN.
Save the best little shop for last… Ice cream… xxoo
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Happy 2015… xxoo
A COZY WHITE CHRISTMAS
Getting ready for a cozy white Christmas in Sarasota Florida. Mandi’s Cottage is like being in a dreamy White Christmas. Baking fluffy mini Christmas cakes and drinking hot cocoas as we wrap gifts and children write to Santa. Oooooh what fun it is getting ready for the Holiday’s. Fluffy Christmas cakes on a cloud of white, topped with snow flakes and silver glitter sprinkles. Enjoying Christmas candy and all kinds of goodies.
Next to the wintery white Christmas Tree are gifts being wrapped with creative thoughts. Then it’s time to sit and get cozy with a blanket and cup of spicy hot cider. A wonderful way to spend an evening during the Holiday Season. I will be spending my Christmas at Mandi’s Christmas Cottage with family and friends!!
I wish you all a Happy Merry Christmas.
THE NEW COTTAGE STYLE MAGAZINE FALL/WINTER IS OUT!!
My latest spread in Cottage Style Magazine has just hit News Stands.
This Sarasota, FL cottage has a fresh Key West vibe with crisp whites and all the colors of the tropics. Pick it up on News Stands now and enjoy the Sarasota lifestyle.
TROPICAL SUMMER
Long beach days in Sarasota Florida – though up North the dog days of Summer are coming to an end. Here on the outer islands of Sarasota, the weather is beautiful – so in designing a beach cottage it is a wonderful inspiration. Nature is all around us to give you the happy lifestyle you want and love. Have a look at this tropical beach cottage.
A cottage kitchen on the outer islands of Sarasota, on the West Coast of Florida. I designed this kitchen with happy colors – island living is what it’s all about. The perfect morning place to gather for a coffee before a day at the beach.
Slide open this fun beach door to the changing room and get your bathing suit on!! It’s a tropical Summer!
Grab a beach towel and walk to the salty sea for a swim – or a dip in the pool. Who doesn’t love the salty air?
I designed this pool to be the same color as the Gulf of Mexico so it would blend in with its surroundings. Swim time anyone?
No shoe zone! Kick your shoes off and feel the cool white sand in your toes.
Oh the colors of nature.
Lunch time… I designed this dining room to feel like you are on the beach – oh the soothing colors. The furniture pieces were also designed by myself to capture the vibe of living by the sea.
Beach combers were here!
Fresh Tropical fruits to eat… Or even better – mix in your drinks!
Getting ready for cocktail hour at 5:00… It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!!!
A bar sink the color of Tropical water – how charming!
The smell of fresh Pineapple is a wonderful creation thanks to mother nature.
The perfect little spot to relax and have a cold cocktail – ahhhhhhhh!
Snuggle up by the sea after a long day in the salty air and warm summer sea. Washed linens from Sweet Summer Linens are cool on your sun kissed skin.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY
Take a look at my all AMERICAN style on the wharf in Nantucket, MA. A small cottage that I remodeled and designed!
The classic American nautical look… Red – White – and Blue! Look out the seaside window as boats sail through the harbor, how charming is that? Real life coastal living.
Sweet Summer linens on the cottage beds. Sweet dreams as the salty sea air rolls in through the windows.
Enjoy your barbecues, sparklers, and fireworks on this 4th of July…
AND may your summer be filled with bike rides, fireflies, and family! xxoo
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
SWEET HEARTS on the porch in sunny Sarasota! How fun is that big heart pillow…
Little heart shapes on a dresser – simple and sweet!
Touches of love with hearts in your home. Give your rooms a special feel with little hearts mixed in with Sweet Summer Linens. Who doesn’t love a heart shape!
Take a break from the whirlwind of getting ready for the holidays and enjoy my newest project in Cottage Style. Sit and relax have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Plug the Christmas tree in and snug … Continue reading
BEACH HOUSE STYLE
Here is another project of mine just featured in the Coastal Living’s Beach House Style book. Enjoy some more 3rd floor nooks and crannies of the featured 2008 Coastal Living Idea House!
Whether your on the West Coast, East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota, FL – a beach house is always a place to make memories.
A beach house third floor has always been a kids place for the summer to play with brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and beach buddies you just met. I designed the plans for this beach house keeping in mind how important it was to have this 3rd floor! Piling into the beach club of the third floor – oh what memories I have as a kid.
A Bigger bed for the older kids is perfectly positioned with sailboat shelves and an additional cot for sleep overs. How charming are the Sweet Summer Linens?
Always make nooks and crannies. This is the perfect nook to put the old fashioned cot. What child wouldn’t LOVE this?
Colorful fan and beach towels!!
Puff puff’s for everyone!!!
A place to hang your bathing suit, towels, and summer clothing… IT’S THE BEACH!!
Calling all beach babies!! I said this to my little beach babies as they grew up on the beach. Calling all beach babies to the Sweet Summer Linens magical tent – which my daughter Mandi designed and created. Story time… and then maybe nap time for the kids… Then cocktail time for the parents ; )
A twin bed in a nook with boat windows above to hear the surf and smell the salt air! All the bedding was custom made by Sweet Summer Linens.
All products can be purchased through;
Tracey Rapisardi Design
Sarasota FL
941 -359-0208
SUMMER BEACH COTTAGE PART 2
Here is part 2 of the Summer Beach Cottage featured in Cottage Style Bookazine by Meredith Publications. Hope you enjoy!!!
Sweet summer cottages – whether your on the coast of Sarasota FL or on the eastern seaboard… There’s nothing like being by the sea!!
Welcome to the summer cottage! 
Everyone needs a porch by the sea. 
Cutting flowers from the garden to make the cottage feel welcoming to all it’s guest. 
A place to sit and be happy, after a swim in the ocean. 
Ocean air throughout the cottage. 
Watermelon is a summer treat in Sarasota FL… Endless summer -you have to love it!! 
All the fresh ocean air and the summer sun. There’s nothing like jumping in a bed of fresh linens made by sweet summer linens. 
Fresh linens with the smell of roses and ocean air blowing in… ahh!! Please don’t end! 
Pretty! 
A bed to snuggle up in. Oh those sweet summer lines – second floor loft that over looks the sea – what a dream! 
Details, details, details!!
Check out more of this cottage at Cottage Style.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Happy 4th of July weekend! Red, White and Blue – now that’s AMERICAN.
Thought I would share this photo with you all, considering the holiday. It’s a seaside project I designed in the harbor on Nantucket – featured in Coastal Living Magazine.
SUMMER BEACH COTTAGE
We’re back!! We have been gone for a while on projects for clients and setting up our design studio and showroom in Sarasota, FL. HAPPY 1st DAY OF SUMMER!!!
Being the first day of summer, everyone dreams of having a cottage on the beach… or nearby… This project was a vintage cottage that I gave a fresh stylish remodel to without taking away the original charm… HAPPY SUMMER and get ready for tan lines and sandy toes!
This Summer Beach Cottage is a recent project of mine that was just featured in Cottage Style Bookazine by Meredith Publications. The project ended up being bigger than anticipated, so I’m going to break it down into 3 blogs!
June is my favorite time on the coast. With all the wild roses blooming everywhere, oh the smell of them in the salt air is heaven.
I brightened up the cottage by painting all the knotty pine walls and ceilings. Happy colors for a happy place on this front door.
Summer time calls for sandy toes and bare feet, so give your colorful flip flops and summer sneakers a rest.
Sit and take a break in this happy place of mixed and matched patterns. Fill your beach pales and pitchers with fresh picked flowers from the seaside garden, and enjoy the smells of summer.
Take a traditional sofa and jazz it up with fresh patterned pillows from Sweet Summer Linens. Most furniture pieces were designed by Tracey Rapisardi Design. To add some cottage charm, I designed the starfish cut out at the top of the stairs… details details details…
Oh my god – my favorite… a hot pink dining room table is the perfect addition to this Beach Cottage. For a twist, paint your Windsor Bow Back Chairs white to break up the traditional stiffness. The scolloped trim throughout the cottage is original to the house – a must stay!
Mis-matched dishes on open shelving? Now thats true cottage style!
I put glass panel doors in the original cabinets, again painted it all white and changed out the hardware and hinges. The glass doors in this adorable cottage kitchen helps to make the room feel bigger. The scollops and corner shelves are again original to the cottage, and add wonderful charm. I added bead-board and butcher block to capture a true cottage feel. Colorful accessories add to the fun.
Time to make the cocktails with plenty of limes… Sweet summer drinks are on the way! Happy Summer Beach Babies!!!
A Christmas cottage on the seaside cove in Kennebunk Port, Maine.
Come in and enjoy the Christmas cottage by the sea that me and my wonderful daughter, Mandi, created in the cove at Kennebunk beach in Maine, which adorns the pages of Coastal Living Magazine. We had so much fun creating this project.
Making cupcakes and Christmas cookies in the kitchen for Christmas is heartwarming. Stringing seashell lights up the stair case for an enchanting evening!
Overlooking the cove on Christmas morning with Christmas goodies in jars.
At the kitchen sink Christmas morning looking out at the sea.
Tumbled beach stones from the beach outside make a wonderful fireplace to hang Christmas stockings. Old general store doors out to a porch overhanging the cove. A warm cozy fire to warm your toes, Christmas tree with handmade decorations, stockings made by Sweet Summer Linens, cotton throws to keep warm so you can snuggle up Christmas day.
Stockings hanging by the fire, seashells, pepper berries, seeded eucalyptus and pine boughs make the mantle all natural.
Make paper cottages to add some whimsy to it and general store jars full of vintage Christmas bulbs. Create a clothesline and pin your stockings like we did. You can add a little sparkle by covering the clothespins in old fashioned glitter.
What’s a Christmas cottage without all the trimmings?
Christmas stockings hanging one by one, filled with Christmas goodies. Oh, how sweet!
Paper Christmas cottages designed by Mandi of Sweet Summer Linens. A fun project to enjoy with your children to embellish your decor.
Evening time is a wonderful time to sit and enjoy the lighted tree. Seashell lights are a perfect coastal Christmas idea.
Sailboats made from paper with an old fashioned, simple paper chain, glitter snowflakes, white glass bulbs with polka dots on them can make a charming seacoast cottage tree. Simple and fun to make. Tip: We sprayed white paint on the tree to make it frosted.
What’s Christmas without a few pretty wrapped gifts? So pretty that you do not want to open them.
It’s evening. Time for bed snuggling and dreaming of santa and the cinnamon yeast rolls on Christmas morning with icing.
It’s Christmas morning. Smell the sausage cooking and the cinnamon yeast rolls coming out of the oven. Ooooh, what a smell!
A small vintage Christmas tree to add to a bedroom so when you are sleeping you have a cozy Christmas feel.
Christmas gifts await at the foot of the bed. Pretty boxes and pretty ribbons add to the Christmas ambience.
A quiet nook to make Christmas ornaments, cards and crafts.
Santa quietly filling Christmas stockings at the ends of the beds as you quietly sleep, dreaming of Christmas morning.
A special place to read a Christmas story to the little ones. Paper mittens and seashells hang from the window while fresh boughs with pepper berries adorn the sill. Light the candles on the window sill Christmas night. How enchanting!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and to all a good night!
A small charming cottage with beach rocks in front for your parking spot.
A grassy casual path to the front door. Simple, simple, simple.
A fun place to hang your beach bags and hats.
I try not to do the red, white and blue theme on the homes I do on Nantucket. This is one where I did not follow that path. This lovely room with its ice pink walls and colorful pillows is not traditional. (I will bring you this soon in another blog.)
The kitchen nook with a bedroom off the kitchen is a true small cottage making space for everything. Charming, charming, charming. Instead of formal cabinetry, I used vintage pieces for the cabinets. Add a fun table and mix up!
A small place for your laundry. I striped the walls to make it fun and unique.
Took doors off to make open shelving. Found vintage fire king dishes to mix in with newer dishes, which looks great with the color of the fire king. The old breadbox is perfect.
Old iron bed with vintage fabric pillows from Sweet Summer. All the linens are from Sweet Summer in this project. What a great place to snuggle in after a long day in the sun and salt air.
The side path to the garden terrace. All the homes in town on Nantucket make the most out of the tiniest yards. All with great style.
What a spot to sit and have a cocktail.
Sitting amongst the beautiful hydrangeas.
The garden house behind the cottage has whimsical gardens and is a place we could all enjoy. Always get the white pumpkins. I’m a white pumpkin girl!
The quaint harbor of Nantucket. I have done numerous projects here and have a special spot in my heart for it. More on Nantucket to come!
This is one of many southern, tropical projects I have finished. I took existing furniture and refurnished it for an up-to-date look. I also had new furniture built for the cottage while still maintaining a vintage cottage look.
This was a three year long project – a one hundred year old cottage on the Gulf of Mexico! It was a gem that needed love and attention. I kept it mainly in its original state accept for redoing the kitchen and the bathrooms. I changed the colors because everything was mint green, both outside and in! There was originally beach sand where the pool is now, which made it the perfect place for a puddle pool. All the cottages surrounding the main cottage are original.
What a place! Come enjoy some of the inside…
Striped floors add fun to this screened-in porch, overlooking the pool. Sweet mermaid light with colorful furniture.
To give it an airy feel, I designed open shelving and added a butcher block island. What a kitchen!
Dinner anyone?!
Sleeping porch with whimsical art we made on the wall so it would be different and fun. Sleep while the waves hit the beach like a lu-lla-by.
Master bedroom has a headboard made out of an old theater frame cut in two. Added filling to the middle and covered in a striped fabric and voila! It’s a funky headboard. No one else will have this!
A place to sit, have an iced tea and relax. I used vintage wicker furniture and added new outdoor fabric. We also made some of the pieces.
Simple guest bedroom by the beach. This room is facing the ocean – oh, listen to that surf!
Vintage wicker on the porch overlooking the sea – the beautiful sea.
To the main cottage we go!
A bubbling fountain welcomes you to the middle of the court yard. Love that sound.
The pathway to the puddle pool which has no edge. Mermaid spa with seashell cottage.
The back of Coquina Cottage is a puddle pool. The front is the beach.
Up to the porch to have lunch. Key West shrimp, anyone?
To the beach we shall go for the afternoon!
Sea grape trees in the sand and Adirondack Chairs at Coquina Beach.
Around the corner and into the kitchen. Coming soon – stay tuned to see the inside of Coquina Cottage in Part II. See you then!
Twin arbor in the compound of cottages.
Through the gates to the sister shell cottage. What a wonderful way to enter the sister cottage called Periwinkle.
Enter the old fashioned sleeping porch at Periwinkle Cottage.
What a wonderful sleeping porch with striped floors for fun. A mix-match of soft cotton bedding to snuggle in and rockers to rock as you listen to the waves crash on the beach. Something we should all experience.
Sitting and reading in a sea of soft linens with patterns and colors. Feel yourself relax and enjoy the day at the cottage.
A day bed to have a nap or read after sunning on the beach.
Have a drink on the other end of the porch. Simple wicker chairs and a vintage table under the paddle fan where you can enjoy your summer meals.
Hot pink cabinet with colorful glasses in this colorful cottage kitchen. Color, color, color!
This is two-in-one. A place to have a big gathering of family and friends. Laugh and enjoy each other. Soft furnishings and a fire place to lie by on chilly evenings.
A mantle with a cool sign and glass lamps that glow at night.
Fun – Fun – Fun master bedroom! Bedding with bright and bold hues and a beach sign painted in great colors. Vintage mantle overhead with these funky finials make up a headboard. Custom linens are fun, after all, this is the beach!
Sweet hibiscus everywhere.
The blooming arbor to the guest pool cottage.
Happy climbing blooming vine.
Reflections by the puddle pool. Getting ready to swim and sun!
A guest cottage where any one would want to stay and never leave. A pool out your door with salt air and plenty of sunshine.
A welcoming entrance to a small two room guest cottage by the seashore with a puddle pool and mermaid spa to relax.
Mermaid pouring water through her seashell. Beautiful glass tile spa to relax and ponder you thoughts.
Sun-faded mermaid and the sound of trickling water will make you have happy thoughts.
The sun-faded mermaid on her side.
Oh, the simplicity of a guest cottage!
A bay window with a seat to use every inch. B-board wainscoting to add architectural interest to the space. Soft, washable linen fabrics.
Small kitchenette to make your cold drinks and snacks to enjoy by the pool. A guest can find the snuggly bedroom down the hall.
Jump into the soft bed with sun-faded linens and have sweet dreams.
Summer months are the best, aren’t they?
A time for you and family to break from everyday life and enjoy your surroundings. A chance to be creative, read a book, float in a pool, stargaze in the mermaid spa and listen to the waves of the sea.
Enjoy sweet summer days as you are going through a Honeysuckle Arbor. Open the gate to a wonderful world of sun, sand, surf and salt air.
The tiny cottage along the sea.
A sun-filled cottage with calming colors.
Gathering driftwood to have a fire on the beach. Take time relaxing in vintage beach chairs, which add color and charm to outdoor space.
A pool cottage for guests to enjoy! Anyone for a swim in a Puddle Pool?
Sea shells by the sea shore…
Mermaid with pink details on a sea shell path to the beach.
Rum Runners anyone? A colorful area outside to mix up and indulge in a cocktail before sunset. Cheers!
Stripes and dots – who ever said they don’t go together?
Having fun with glassware; mixing old and new. Sit back with a tall lemonade and enjoy the summer months.
A place to snuggle and enjoy the company of family and friends. Mixing fabric patterns makes the look cheery and interesting. All these pillows make you want to jump in.
Gathering treasures on the beach and holding on to them.
Sit and relax outside among these vibrant colors.
A cute sleeping loft for the beach babies above a sweet cottage with gardens.
Trellis with a growing vine. Gardening in the summer can be relaxing and rewarding.
What a beautiful color!
