A Designer's Guide to Palm Beach

There is a reason snowbirds flock to Palm Beach, and it’s not (just) the tax benefits. Popularized by Standard Oil baron Henry Flagler in the late 1800s, this is the rare town where old-world polish and Slim Aarons–level glamour meet, all shrouded in a flurry of bougainvillea for good measure. Timed to Palm Beach Design Days (January 27–30, 2026), we asked our designer friends Robert Bell, Andrew Howard and Ellen Kavanaugh to open up their little aqua green books to reveal the most stylish spots to see, eat, shop and indulge.

Antiques, Art and TextileS

Authentic Provence + AP Mid Century Modern | 6100 Georgia Avenue
Owner Susan Hofherr has curated an amazing collection of architectural and garden antiques in an incredibly inspiring setting. “A visit feels like a trip to the South of France or Italy, particularly when exploring the secret garden,” says our own Will Massie. Next door, visit Susan’s son Maurice von Bothmer at his AP Mid Century Modern, which features a sophisticated and glamorous selection of mid-century furniture.

Casa Branca Atelier & Showroom | 2410 Florida Ave.
From bench-made U.S. upholstery, to exotic woven ikats to beautifully printed grasscloth, this trade showroom embodies Italian designer Alessandra Branca’s playful vision of melding rich colors with creative textures.

Casa Gusto | 6316 Georgia Ave.
Alongside its whimsical collection of papier-mâché, Casa Gusto carries a significant selection of European antiques and garden objects in a gorgeously layered showroom in the Georgia Avenue Design District.

Cedric Dupont Antiques | 3415 S. Dixie Hwy.
Thoroughly devoted to the preservation of the finest antiquities, Cedric Dupont majors in an impressive selection of period giltwood mirrors, antique French biot jars and architectural objects, all showcased in a two-story 20,000 square-foot gallery.

F.S. Henemader | 316 South County Rd.
This antique shop has “quintessential Palm Beach vibes every time I go in there,” says Andrew Howard, who notes that almost every find within it is interesting. “If anyone wants to get me a gift card for Christmas to a Palm Beach antique store, this is the spot. I could take one of everything they have.”

HIVE Trade Showroom | 2218 S. Dixie Hwy.
A dream of Sara McCann from McCann Design Group, HIVE boasts eight locations offering everything from Hästens beds to the most delicious quiche. Just a few blocks from the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, HIVE Trade Showroom offers a wide variety of artisanal textiles, wallcoverings and furniture exclusively for the trade.

Meg Braff Designs | 6417 Georgia Avenue, West Palm Beach
Frothy decor and McKinnon and Harris furniture is everywhere at Meg Braff’s Palm Beach outpost, a snowbird’s second location of her shop in Locust Valley, N.Y.. The tabletop offerings, from bamboo napkin rings to pineapple salt and pepper shakers, make great—and packable—souvenirs. Meg’s team orchestrates a great annual calendar full of trunk shows and book signings.

Palm Beach Atelier | 139 N County Rd. Suite 16
A jewelbox event space dreamt up by Sarah Magness for the design industry. An efficient 200 square feet tucked within the old Paramount theater features member brands Rinck, Hyde Park Moulding, Sacco and McKinnon and Harris—plus a terrace the salons of Paris would kill for. By appointment only.

Palm Beach Regency | 850 Old Dixie Hwy.
Their fabulously overstuffed 5,000 square-foot warehouse in Lake Park is full of antique burnt bamboo, pagoda-inspired decor, and vintage rattan treasures.

DINE

BiCE Ristorante | 313 1/2 Worth Ave.
“My go-to for a courtyard Italian dinner or lunch,” says resident Palm Beach designer Ellen Kavanaugh. On the menu: everything from prosciutto di Parma to note-perfect halibut with a white wine caper lemon sauce.

Buccan | 350 S County Rd.
“Still the best meal you can have in Palm Beach,” Howard says of this airy, bustling gem (also in the Michelin Guide). “A visit to Palm Beach in my mind is not complete without a dinner here.”

Surfside Diner | 314 S. County Rd.
This classic American diner “feels like being transported back to 1960 and even gives off a Back to the Future vibe,” says Howard, who adds that their breakfasts are ideal after a late night. “Amazing hangover meal.”

Renato’s | 87 Via Mizner
The spot for Maine lobster-studded saffron risotto and prime beef tenderloin in peppercorn cognac sauce. “Always a delicious meal,” says Ellen, who notes that while the courtyard is stunning, “I prefer to dine inside with the dramatic wall paneling and mirrored ceiling.”

Tutto Mare | 70 Royal Poinciana Way
Just recently opened "on the Intracoastal Waterway,” local landscape architect Robert Bell says, this new restaurant from the same people behind Tutto Southampton will be as much a required stop for its “garden setting” as for the buzzing scene.

Experience

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens | 253 Barcelona Rd., West Palm Beach, FL
Robert is a fan of this “quirky” sculpture garden, where you can wander the grounds of the former estate of Ann Weaver Norton. Some 250 species of rare palms, cycads and 100 sculptures await.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum | 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach
Robert recommends this “Gilded Age mansion with beautiful interiors.” He’s not wrong; the 100,000-square foot estate by Carrère and Hastings—the same architects behind the Frick museum—is a jaw dropper.

Historical Society of Palm Beach County | 300 N. Dixie Hwy.
Offering playful and design-oriented exhibits dripping with taste, most notably a recent one featuring historical Palm Beach resort wear.

Kips Bay Show House Palm Beach | Locations Change Annually
Iconic annual showhouse to benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club; always a fount of design ideas as fresh as the Atlantic sea.

Old Bags Luncheon
A star-studded charity event at The Breakers benefiting the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County. This year’s visiting speaker? Elvis’ one and only wife, Priscilla Presley, thank-you-very-much.

Palm Beach Design Days | End of January
Benefitting the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, this three-day event is filled with a monumental lineup of dazzling speakers.

Palm Beach International Boat Show | Late March
55,000 boat obsessives descend on Palm Beach annually for this legendary show, which brings more than a billion dollars to the Florida economy and is the place to ogle the latest superyachts.

The Norton Museum of Art | 1450 S. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL
“We really only have one major museum,” says Ellen. This is it: an eye-candy stache of more than 8,200 pieces within a new museum by London starchitects Foster + Partners, including works by everyone from Edward Hopper to Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Society of the Four Arts | 100 Four Arts Plaza
Combining a love of music, art, drama and literature, the nonprofit produces a glorious, interactive schedule of beautiful events for Palm Beach residents and visitors of all ages.

Shop (For Yourself)

AERIN | 33 Via Mizner
A thoughtfully designed selection of home goods, including our favorite travel games for yachting, by Palm Beach resident and McKinnon and Harris client Aerin Lauder.

Casa Branca Boutique | 344 Worth Ave.
A jewel box of color and texture all curated by noted Italian designer Alessandra Branca.

Kassatly's | 250 Worth Ave.
A cult favorite, family-owned linen shop since 1923 that’s Ellen’s “go-to for beautiful night gowns, robes and lovely hand embroidered placemats/napkin sets.” Adds Howard: “it feels like you are stepping back in time when you go in.”

Lycette | 230 South County Road
An international destination for needlepoint lovers carrying exclusive Stubbs & Wootton slipper canvases, as well as finishing options for even the most difficult project.

Marissa Collections | 340 Royal Poinciana Way
Monthly trunk shows and a dazzling array of designer frocks make this a lovely spot for a little retail therapy.

Mary Mahoney | 336 Worth Avenue
This “island staple for all things tabletop,” says Ellen, has gems upon gems: including Ginori tableware, cheekily embroidered cocktail napkins from Paris, and exquisite stemware (such as clear Ichendorf tumblers with flowers like lavender that appear to be blooming within).

The Kemble Shop | 294 Hibiscus Ave.
Dreamed up by Kemble Interiors darlings Tory Casey, Mimi McMakin and Celerie Kemble, their lifestyle shop embodies the same principles as the design practice; charm, whimsy, and effortless elegance.

Via Coquina | 32 Via Mizner
Glazed ceramic espresso cups handmade in Egypt and tea towels block-printed in Italy with pearwood stamps are among the coveted housewares here. “I love everything in this shop!” Ellen says.

Stay

Hotel Vineta | 363 Cocoanut Row
Designers are abuzz over this soon-to-open 37-room hotel, “a sister hotel to Le Bristol in Paris, which is one of my favorites,” Ellen says. Robert notes that the structure has provenance: it was the old Chesterfield hotel, and now slated to be reborn “fun and fresh.”

Palm House | 160 Royal Palm Way
This new kid on the block was designed with staying power, with barrel vaulted ceilings and 79 rooms that any 1940s starlet would appreciate.

The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club | 301 Australian Ave.
The three words that define this 1920s landmark, aside from (ahem) Daniel Boulud Restaurant? “Chic jungle garden-y,” says Robert. Ellen, too, calls this a hidden gem. “The low, pecky cypress ceilings in the lobby are always lovely for a cocktail.”

The Breakers | 1 S County Rd.
The presiding grande dame since 1896, when it was modeled after Villa Medici—complete with finishes by Italian artisans shipped over for the task. “I spent my 10th anniversary here and I feel like it has been my family’s home away from home in Palm Beach for many years,” Howard says.

The Colony Hotel | 155 Hammon Ave.
A shell-pink icon fronting the surf, this 1947 retreat is a block from Worth Avenue and a delight beloved by generations, as much for its cheerful interiors as for its beach butlers…and poolside cocktails from Swifty’s.

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If photo credit is not mentioned above, all other photos are iPhone or provided by the featured location.