Last week while we were at Tybee. I received two very special, very personal gifts of original art. When we arrived at Ebbtide, I found this portrait of me painted on a chippy wooden drawer by folk artist @panhandle_slim_ whose work I admire, but whom I’ve never met! Then, on Saturday, during my book signing at @seasidesisterstybee I finally met @dianemotherofdragons. D and I both formerly worked at @ajcnews, although I was long gone by the time she joined the staff. But I’ve admired her creativity that she demonstrates with social media posts, and I’ve shared her grief at losing her son. It’s a club nobody wants to join. She’d posted this tiny study of my favorite Tybee scene, the tiny toy-like shrimp boat anchored in nearby Lazaretto Creek on her FB post, and I commented that my grandchildren and I have always wanted to write a children’s book about that book. I was thrilled when D stopped in at the store during my signing & gifted me with her painting. It brought me to tears & reminded me of the power of art—to heal, to bring joy, to bring light. I’m so grateful that during this dark time in our country, creatives still manage to make art! #artatheheart #ebbtidetybeeisland

Downstairs bedroom makeover at Ebbtide. When we bought our circa 1932 beach house fifteen years ago, the ground floor rooms were being used for storage. We cleaned out the clutter, put in window AC units and furnished them with Craigslist furniture and IKEA drapes. This was Boomerang Boy’s bedroom. He was 25 and single. Eventually we put in central air downstairs and enclosed the bedroom and bath areas. Fast forward—he turns forty!!! This week, is married and the dad of two middle school age boys. That room needed a glow up, and it all started with that pair of rattan Chinese Chippendale headboards. I bought the mismatched nightstands, and then spotted a photo of a shell-covered lamp at a Savannah estate sale. That lamp sold for $200! I decided to make my own lamps. Got the block print shades half off at @ballardoutletgeorgia Labor Day sale. The oil paintings from the 1940s were an estate sale find—$75 each. The seashell drawings were in another room here. Eventually I’ll find a nicer dresser, and a cool mirror, and of course, more art. This Target comforter will also get replaced with a block print quilt from @ridhiblockprint. There was originally a weird sliding glass door here that led to nowhere, so last week we replaced it with double windows. For now, I’m super happy with how the room is looking. And I hope our guests will love it too. Next up: the bunk room. #ebbtidetybeeisland #vintagebeachhouse #coastalvibes #tybeecottagerentals