Discover the Allure of Palm Beach Through the Visionary Viewpoint of Ashley Stark

What do you love about Palm Beach, especially at the holidays?

I’ve been coming with my family for the past 40 years, and now I come to visit my parents with my own children who are 10, 8 and 5. We are there in December, at the February and March school breaks; it’s easy to get to and everyone love it.

Do you have go-to shops for great design—in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and beyond?

I love the shops along South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach in particular, for antique and vintage finds. I love them all; you’ll find specialists selling rattan, midcentury modern furniture, dishes, and treasures from estate sales.

In Palm Beach, there are several art galleries and shops such as Mary Mahoney that I like for tabletop and gift items. AERIN in the historic Via Mizner is another great resource for caftans and hostess presents. The Breakers gift shop is another excellent shop that has a wide selection of coffee table books, linens and dishes.

Are there public gardens and walks that are a must?

Most of my time is spent with my kids—on the 5.5-mile Palm Beach Lake Trail that runs alongside Lake Worth. It’s perfect for walking and biking with views of the Lake Worth Lagoon and West Palm Beach across the water. The dramatic old banyan trees at one end of the trail are incredible.

The Four Arts Gardens are a part of the larger Society of the Four Arts campus which is composed of libraries, art galleries—one designed by Addison Mizner—as well as two different gardens that are set on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Do you find design inspiration here?

The Mediterranean style of architecture—particularly the work of architects Addison Mizner and Maurice Fatio—and the pastel hues are inspirational to me. The palm tree-lined streets and hidden, Italian-style vias and piazzas also spur design ideas.

How has Palm Beach changed over the past few years–from a design perspective, and from its new-found diversity?

There has certainly been an influx of new people—particularly post-COVID—and I think that has brought an openness to different styles—in terms of art, architecture, and food. It feels less formal and West Palm Beach is really bustling now.

In terms of hotels and restaurants—where do you send friends?

I have a special place in my heart for The Breakers because I grew up here and my kids can run relatively free and they also love it. It is old world in the best ways. It was originally founded in 1896 by the oil tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler, and then it re-opened after a fire in 1926. It remains largely unchanged, with a great beach, multiple restaurants and, of course, golf and tennis.

I also love The Colony Hotel which was recently renovated by Celerie Kemble and Kemble Interiors. I love what they’ve done with the bungalows, the outside terrace, and the little cart that takes guests back and forth to the beach. It has a boutique feel as does The White Elephant just off the iconic Royal Poinciana Way.

In terms of restaurants, there are so many good ones! We love Renato’s and Bice for Italian food in beautiful settings; Palm Beach Grill and Sant Ambroeus are also lively and with excellent food, as is The Carriage House, a private supper club we’ll go to with friends. For something more low-key, it’s Green’s Pharmacy where you can sit at the old luncheonette counter with kids, followed by homemade gelato from Piccolo Gelato in the heart of town. For something slightly off the beaten path, I like La Sirena in West Palm Beach for the great Italian food in a relaxed setting.

Is there an area that that you favor and why?

My priorities are spending time with my family and small parties of other young families so that is really focused on being outdoors and at the beach. One of my favorite spots is right at the end of Worth Avenue; grab a coffee from the little café at The Colony and head to this beach for the best views from under their little hut.