PALM BEACH PRETTY: MY INDAGARE INSIDER SHOPPING GUIDE
After 24 years in New York City, I took the leap and joined the thriving design scene in Palm Beach. I was recently asked by the membership-based luxury travel company Indagare to share my favorite places to stay, shop and explore, and I provided an exhaustive list of top recommendations that will make you feel like a local.
I grew up coming here and things have changed in many ways, but they’ve also stayed the same. There is a rich history and architectural legacy that provides an authentic sense of place, and design matters here. The iconic architecture contributed to the unique look and feel that defined Palm Beach style in the early twentieth century.
Planning a winter getaway? Consider this your definitive guide to all-things Palm Beach. Find out my favorite destinations and insider tips. I share the most charming hideaway for dinner under the stars, places for unique gifts, the top antique and home decor resources, and much more. If you want to know where to go now, I’ve got you covered. Ahead, an in-depth look at what makes Palm Beach really shine, where every day is truly a perfect day in paradise.
BY SUSAN RICHTER
As the founder of the popular design blog, Stylebeat, Marisa Marcantonio has been sharing her expertise on timeless design and industry trends since 2007. She was instrumental in shaping the growth of the online home decor marketplace Chairish, has held editorial roles at House & Garden, House Beautiful, and Oprah at Home, and is a marketing pro, having worked at many luxury brands and design firms.
After 24 years, she recently traded New York City for “the pristine tropical paradise and small-town charm of Palm Beach,” a place she has adored since childhood. “There’s really no place like it,” she says. “I’ve always loved the rich history and unique beauty of Palm Beach—things are civilized, and cocktail parties are a way of life.”
Part of the draw, too, is the Palm Beach aesthetic: “Pink and green, bamboo and rattan, palm fronds and orchids– these pairings are prevalent in Palm Beach and perfectly connote a sense of place with a breezy, sun-kissed sensibility. The dress code is blue blazers and floral-printed frocks.” With Palm Beach experiencing a cultural renaissance and an influx of new faces from cities like New York, Marisa is also thrilled by the renewed vibrancy and energy of the design scene.
Today, as a creative consultant, Marisa advises high-end interior designers and luxury brands on brand development, marketing, collaborations and retail strategy. Her involvement in Palm Beach’s premier charity design showcase, Rooms with a View, reflects her dedication to the area’s flourishing design scene and passion for preserving its distinct charm and style.
Below, Marisa shares her Palm Beach favorites and inspirations and how the island’s signature style continues to shape her design journey.
For breakfast or a coffee: I love to meet friends at Sant Ambroeus at Royal Poinciana Plaza, aka The Royal.
When friends come to visit: I take them to Swifty’s by the pool at The Colony off Worth Avenue, or Hive Bakery & Cafe in West Palm Beach. They have great salads at both places, and at The Colony, I typically order the Curried Chicken Salad, a favorite from their New York location. Then, afterwards, we can walk over to Hive Home, Gift & Garden next door and shop for home décor and accessories. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another favorite: The Honor Bar. It is perfect for lunch, dinner or cocktails, and is a chic, intimate spot with dim lighting and dark, moody interiors. Go for the burger, stay for the stellar art collection. Look out for the Jonas Wood that hangs above one of my favorite tables with its enveloping circular banquettes.
With my family for lunch: It’s usually at Surfside Diner. I love it because it is a real neighborhood spot—this is the place to get chicken salad or tuna salad. The location is central on South County Road, and I always run into someone I know. Plus, I love iced tea and they serve theirs in a comically large cup!
For romance or a special occasion: Cafe Flora is a little hideaway tucked behind Worth Avenue. I’d rather keep it a secret…but it has been discovered, and it is usually packed. They serve elevated Italian in a charming garden patio setting. I recommend having the delicious Pollo alla Milanese. BrickTop’s, Palm Beach Grill and Buccan are consistently fabulous with great service. Everything on the menu is good.
Colorful brightly printed dresses, skirts and pareos are de rigeur here, and Julia Amory designs clothes have become resort wear favorites, transitioning seamlessly from beach to bar. She too is a New York transplant, and her shop is filled with breezy tailored pieces that mix and match well with white jeans and classics.
Maus & Hoffman is the place to go for classic men’s clothing, especially if you want a beautifully made pastel-hued cashmere dinner jacket. Need a sweater to go with that? Choose from a rainbow of cable-knit cashmere sweaters at Trillion. They offer every imaginable hue. (It isn’t unheard of to have one in every color.)
If there’s one place that knows how to dress children well, it's Leta Austin Foster. Her Via Mizner home boutique also stocks old world clothing like smocked dresses with round collars and imports European brands that are hard to find stateside.
The Royal: Designed in 1957 by John Volk—the legendary architect who did a lot of work in Palm Beach the iconic open-air, Regency-style shopping plaza is a destination for top art galleries, luxury brands and boutiques. (They wooed Hermès over from Worth Avenue.) It is also a community hotspot where you can go to the post office, and pilates. I like to pop into Veronica Beard and Staud for everyday classic pieces, and you will also find evening wear at Oscar de la Renta, Kirna Zabête, Marissa Collections and La Vie Style House.
Jeweler ASHA’ s new shop (she also has a Greenwich, CT location) carries shell, alphabet and motif charms for necklaces—they make great gifts because they feel so personal.
Lori Jayne is a store that monograms everything and monograms are big in this town—along with two other preppy mainstays, custom car pinstripes and hood ornaments.
For truly over the top flower arrangements that are stunningly beautiful, you can’t beat Tom Matieu. The best hosts have him on speed dial.
It is a treat to visit Mish Fine Jewelry, a colorful atelier designed with Katie Ridder, to experience the equally colorful (and very whimsical) creations in person. Expect botanical-inspired designs.
A Palm Beach mainstay for over twenty years, Blue Provence is a tiny gourmet food shop on South County Road filled with delectable European goodies (think cheeses, caviar, imported bread) and chic French linens and serveware.
For special celebrations, here’s an inside tip: Those in the know order the coconut cake from Kitchen in West Palm Beach. This favorite dessert has long been associated with Palm Beach and this restaurant happens to have one of the best.
Buccan, the buzzy Palm Beach restaurant, has a takeout window for sandwiches and salads at lunch. The turkey club is my go-to.
In town, Mary Mahoney carries everything you need to set the most beautiful table. Right next to the Everglades Club, you’ll find the small storefront for Casa Branca, Chicago designer Alessandra Branca’s home collection that carries fabulous vintage Italian rattan and bamboo pieces, European porcelain flowers and furniture covered in her colorful prints, along with assorted tabletop and accessories. Last season, she opened a large showroom in West Palm Beach that carries her fabrics, wallpapers and an extensive collection of fine French and Italian antiques. Worth Avenue’s oldest store, Kassatly’s, has applique and embroidered linens that are heirloom quality.
Across Worth Avenue in the Vias, you will come across some gems. Interior designer and boutique owner Leta Austin Foster carries pretty things including D. Porthault floral printed towels and embroidered bedding. Nearby, AERIN is filled with pieces from the lifestyle brand and a curated collection of elegant decorative accessories, Sarah Bray’s straw hats, sundresses and jewelry. You never know what spectacular object will catch your eye at FS Henemader Antiques. They carry superb antiques and vintage, including Anglo-Indian pieces, British campaign furniture, palm tree torchères and assorted paintings of leopards and zebras.
Make your way to Antique Row on Dixie Highway, home to some 40 antique shops. Stop into Paula Roemer (she has two locations) for an endless array of unusual raffia and bamboo pieces, designs from iconic makers from old Palm Beach estates and decorative accessories like inlaid bone boxes. Patricia’s Gallery has some of the most incredible antique decorative accessories, including silver nautilus shell spoon warmers, colorful majolica crystal match strikers and unique cachepots.
Many dealers have migrated from Dixie Highway to Georgia Avenue, which has an industrial feel and larger spaces. Start at Kofski Estate Sales for their auctions (they have been around for 80 years and are under new ownership) held on weekends. Next, visit Devonshire, best known for its English garden statues, decorative pieces adorned with animal motifs. Be sure to check out the hidden art gallery tucked behind a pair of arched wooden doors, where you’ll find exotic bird paintings as well as art with flora and fauna. Authentic Provence occupies two buildings spanning 45,000 square feet of space along with a beautiful courtyard, where you’ll find European garden antiques from French planters to statues and fountains, along with reclaimed building materials. Stop by AP Mid Century Modern for 20th-century European designs including furniture, lighting and paintings from beloved makers. Next, step into Casa Gusto to experience Cris Briger's immersive world of sophisticated antiques and newly made pieces displayed in stunning vignettes that exude elegance and charm. Think tôle flowers, swirled ceramic plates, portraits of nobility and wicker chairs covered in ticking striped fabric.
From there, head across the street to Danielle Rollins for colorful pieces she has collected on her travels, such as embroidered cocktail napkins and entertaining essentials, shell-encrusted pieces and a wicker daybed. Next door, discover Old Florida vintage pieces, wallpapers and bold printed fabrics at Meg Braff Designs. Designers in the know turn to trusted trade resource Show Pony and owner Michael Walker, who is one of the best vintage dealers around. This no-address-listed warehouse is filled to the rafters with loads of rattan and unusual statement pieces from coveted 20th-century makers. He recently opened a small gallery on Dixie. Those who know and love Mecox Gardens from Manhattan will be able to find similar designs in their new West Palm Beach location.
Located near the Norton Art Museum, HIVE Collective’s sprawling home, gift and garden store showcases multiple home décor options and one of the things that makes them really unique is that they can deliver an entire living room on the same day (which is appealing to those who want instant gratification). Pioneer Linens in West Palm Beach carries every high-end bedding and bath brand, including Sferra, Yves Delorme and Scandia Home.
Morning ritual: Every morning, I start my day with a walk on the Lake Trail, the path that runs along the western side of Palm Beach beside the Intercoastal. One of my favorite things along the path is the giant kapok tree right before the Flagler Museum. It is almost 200 years old and has the most amazing trunk and curved root structure.
Cultural ritual: Being outside all the time and enjoying the scenic beauty is one of the things that makes Palm Beach special. The balmy weather year-round, ocean views, incredible architecture and manicured vistas are stunning, and you can walk everywhere. I discover something new around every corner.
Wellness ritual: Facials at Tammy Fender, a charming little 1950s brick house on N. Flagler, followed by coffee at Sant Ambroeus.
For a dose of nature: The Society of the Four Arts is one of the most extraordinary gardens in town. The wonderful grounds feature fountains, several varieties of palm trees, a pavilion and arbor- covered walkways that span over two acres.
To visit over and over: Norton Art Museum has a great permanent collection and is now the largest museum in Florida. I adore the original Marion Sims Wyeth-designed art deco building from 1941, but the newer portion created by Norman Foster + Partners that debuted in 2019 is jaw-droppingly spectacular. If I am looking for a quiet spot, their verdant subtropical gardens are a serene oasis filled with unique sculptures by artists including Jenny Holzer and Ugo Rondinone. The museum recently acquired a work by an artist I love, Cecily Brown. (And I can’t wait to see what pieces they will add next.)
To recommend to first-timers: Whitehall, aka The Flagler, Henry Morrison Flagler’s Gilded Age, Beaux Arts-house- turned-museum is a must-see. Railroad and Standard Oil magnate Flagler created modern Florida, bringing the railroad, tourism and agriculture. The landmark museum on the intercoastal is part of the fabric of Palm Beach. I have fond memories of getting all dressed up and attending the New Year’s Eve Red Cross Ball there as a teenager.
Favorite exclusive invite: If you get an invitation to visit Beth Rudin deWoody’s art-filled space, The Bunker, say yes!
Favorite neighborhood to wander in: There is always something to discover in the charming historic “Vias” tucked behind Worth Avenue. It is also where famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner lived in an apartment perched above the shops. Teeming with vivid fuchsia bougainvillea, the small boutiques have a character all their own. One of my favorite areas to walk by on my morning walk is Major Alley on Peruvian Avenue. It is a landmarked historic residential enclave built in 1925 in Bermuda-style architecture.
For first-time visitors: A stroll along Worth Avenue, a peek at the crystal blue ocean waters by the clocktower at the top of the avenue, then a bike ride along Lake Trail followed by drinks at The Colony. This provides a lay of the land, including people watching and Palm Beach’s favorite sport other than golf and tennis: shopping.
For repeat visitors: If you are a golfer, I recommend The Park West Palm. Designed by legendary course designer Gil Hanse, this municipal 18-hole golf course opened in 2023 and has quickly become the spot to play. Plus, it has a great outdoor bar called The Cabana and a restaurant, The House.
For old-world European glamour with a distinctly American feel, you can’t beat The Breakers, which Henry Flagler first opened in the 1900s. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style, it is built on 140 acres and offers sweeping oceanfront views of the Atlantic, a private beach, four pools, a golf course and croquet.
If you prefer to see and be seen, then the pink-hued The Colony is the place to be. Sarah Wettenhall has done a wonderful job reinvigorating the hotel, making it a fun place to gather, with a lobby and room refresh designed in a Palm Beach-appropriate palette by Kemble Interiors. Go for poolside trivia night or bingo.
The Brazilian Court is a luxury boutique hotel perfect for weekend getaways. It also happens to be the home of Cafe Boulud - a favorite for special celebrations – and one of the best hair salons in town, the Brazilian Court Salon.