As I sit on my porch, drinking my Baby’s Coffee coconut latte, looking out over the Blue Water bay, it’s a mixed bag of emotions reflecting on this past year. But damn do I FEEL it all.

I feel it in my feet from 16 hours days renovating a motel in North Carolina, I feel it in my legs from 70 flights of stairs a day building 4 homes at light speed in Salt Lake City. I feel it in my heart from graduations, big transitions, charity events and endless heartfelt conversations! I feel it in my soul from thriving kids, happy clients, and from my wonderful friends and family. I feel it on my heavy closed eyes knowing this was a year I needed, whether I knew it or not.

Colorful and quaint; Key West’s Old Town is said to be the most predominantly wooden historic district in the entire United States. With nearly 3,000 building structures, Old Town’s architecture is rich in vibrant Bahamian colors, whimsical trim detail and charming intricacies. Many of these details came to be in the 19th century, as Key West was in its richest economical era. The cigar and shipping industries were soaring. Many of the island’s business and homeowners decided to elevate their homes and compounds with hand cut wooden extras, stamped roof shingles or wrought iron; reflecting their interests, heritage and personal style. These building materials, especially lumber, were readily available from the many merchant seaman and ship-wreckers conducting business at Key West’s bustling ports.