The Big News & The Big Move

 It's shameful how long I have been neglecting this blog but I can finally explain the reasons why . .

drumroll please . . . . 

I finally have a HOME WEBSITE!!!!

It has always been a challenge to explain what I do professionally, now I don't need to bumble and stumble on words to try to summarize.  At long last there is a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates the various work that I do.  Please stop by the brand spanking new website, Stacie Steensland.com and take a peek.  With the new site comes the new blog and I would love YOUR advice!  I have miraculously managed (please read below) to import all 365 posts here on Pepper & Pikey to the new blog so the question is, do I cease writing here and carry on solely over there?  OR do I keep the Turks and Caicos content; the Field Guide Friday posts, the fundraisers, local events, travel entries, personal news, etc right here and post all TC Millwork projects and work related content on the new blog?   Please post a comment below with your thoughts!

There are many other reasons for my long absence from blogging, a few major life events that I am still grappling with and a few more I am still expecting!  Please read my first post on the new blog below:

 Image via pinterest

 

After weeks of procrastination, months of asking various individuals advice, it's done and I can't believe how simple it was.  My very own website had been a back burner project for many years, it's near completion almost a month ago only demanded resolution of the blog.  I had been blogging via blogger since March of 2010 and loved the user friendliness and comfort of knowing the ropes.  365 posts on Pepper Key Stacie had me torn.  Do I start all over here?  Do I try to transfer the old blog to the new wordpress site?  That sounded like a brilliant idea but many tech savvy people said it would be a nightmare.  So I dragged my feet, and with selling Fleur de Lys Villa, finding a house to rent, packing, moving, all while 8-9 months pregnant, there was plenty to keep busy and distracted from blogging with.  With one week to due date and the last thing to tick off the list, I finally tackled the challenge.  Mind you as of this morning I still had not a clue what to do or where to start but I thought it fitting that today's public holiday here in the Turks and Caicos, the Queen's Official Birthday, was as good a day as any to figure out this royal problem.   By this afternoon, just as I was about to give up, I found my miracle;  "How I Moved My Blogger Blog to Wordpress" and within an hour it was done.  Like magic.  Sure there is some formatting and figuring out to do but all that content is now here!  I feel like The Magic Grinder has just granted my wish.  Thank you Computer Guru!

Beach Tree Wedding Arch

Image via brilliant

On February 2nd TC Millwork was contracted to set this beautiful beach tree arch for Sandra and Jon's wedding.  This is a stylish and affordable option for couples that desire an organic, beachy look, more unique than your typical beach ceremony set-up.  It can be set as a two post, or a four post, and decorated with small conch shells (as shown here), flowers, vines, ribbon, lanterns, or whatever you wish!  This is a picture perfect place to use your imagination!  Please contact me for pricing.  To see more of Sandra and Jons gorgeous day, please see brilliant's blog.

Breaking News - NO VAT OR DOLPHINARIUM FOR TCI

I  am joyously overwhelmed to report that the TCI will not be implementing a Value Added Tax here in the Turks and Caicos Islands come April 1, 2013.  Please read the full article, no-vat-for-turks-and-caicos-islands, in this mornings SUN.  Much gratitude to the Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council, to Rufus Ewing and entire PNP party, to the Opposition leader Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and the PDM party, and to everyone in this community who joined together to oppose this undemocratic tax that would have crippled our country.  I can not express our relief on behalf of TC Millwork.  As a local manufacturer; a company that imports raw materials to handcraft and manufacture custom products right here on our local shores, the VAT tax would have been a death sentence for our business which we have worked so hard to build since 2006. 

Image via facebook.com/No2CagedDolphinsInTCI

Also headline news announced today, Planning has categorically denied permission to Dolphin Cove!  We have so much to be thankful for this fine Tuesday morning!  I urge everyone to put all their joy, all their relief, all their positive thoughts back into building this community and this Beautiful by Nature country for a brighter future! 

TC Millwork featured in Coastal Living

While rummaging through some magazine stacks I came across this January-February 2009 issue of Coastal Living.  This original Blue Mountain Villa featured just so happened to be a client of TC Millworks.

Several custom pieces were built including a beautiful table made of rare zebrawood, and the entertainment center pictured below with woven fiber inserts within the paneling.

I'm terribly late with sharing this spread but better late than never!

Driftwood Wedding

TC Millwork was contracted to design and build a driftwood chuppah for a wedding December 28th at the Grace Bay Club.  Brilliant did a gorgeous job of photographing the Tropicaldmc affair, please see all the gorgeousness on their blog; rustic-glam-beach-wedding. 

This four post arch is constructed of reclaimed wood, large pieces from a Haitian sloop wreckage, as well as curving branches of driftwood.  It may be decorated with a fabric canopy and flowers, as pictured above, or raw as these three images show.

It may also be set as a two post for a simplified look or smaller wedding, or in additional segments to canopy a dinner reception.  A variety of canopies are available in sheer organza, lace, or cotton.

This arch may be rented (installation and strike included) for any wedding or event, please contact us for rates and details!

Happy 2013!

 Fleur de Lys Villa and TC Millwork would like to wish all of you a very Happy & Healthy 2013!

Pretty Pergola at Fleur de Lys

Just in time for the holiday arrivals, a pretty Pergola awaits our Fleur de Lys Villa guests.  Now the birdwatching balcony is better than ever!  TC Millwork did a fabulous job with the upgrade.   Not only are we thrilled with the traditional Caribbean design, but love the practicality of having shade and rain cover over this area, which the adjoining office hardwood floors will thank us for later!

These rocking chairs are a pair of the best seats in the house for soaking in the views.

Holiday decor vignettes from Fleur de Lys Villa soon to come, stay posted!

TC Millwork's New Logo!

We are looking forward to sharing what has kept us so busy these last few months.  We hope to post the latest incredible renovation project just in time for Christmas!

Willow steals the show at the Diamond Jubilee!

Island Scoop was dressed to impress yesterday, dashingly draped in red, white, blue and bunting for the Diamond Jubilee celebration.  Grace Bay Plaza was bursting at the seams yesterday with fun and festivity, live music, and kids everywhere!  Party goers had their pick of beating the heat with a refreshing glass of Pimm's,

lemonade,

or Island Scoops locally made delicious ice cream!

The Queen herself looked to be having a jolly time until a little certain someone stole the show . . .

Willow!  We found this adorable little potcake last week hanging around TC Millwork's new location.  She was covered in ticks and fleas but cute as a button and not even the slightest frightened of people.  She wagged her way over to us to make friends and that's all it took for us to scoop her up and take her home for a bath, some kibble, and some foster care.  She now joins the rest of the potcake place family in hopes of being adopted by a loving family.  This little local girl pictured above fell in love with Willow instantly; she took her in her arms and did not want to let go!  It was hysterical to see her reluctance to transfer the furry bundle into any other arms!  She did share however, with a little persuasion, and Willow got loads of love and attention from a dozen adoring fans.  Willow has now passed the well behaved test with other dogs, cats, babies, small children, AND kids, LOTS of kids, at the same time!!!  I thought all the fun and heat would have tuckered the wee one out but she was still full of energy when we arrived home for a dip in the pool.

Potcake Place is a miracle worker for these puppies.  Jane and the volunteers work tirelessly to find worthy homes.  Read more about their good deeds and the history of the charitable organization on today.msnbc.  If you would like to adopt a Willow or another potcake pup, please click here.  If you are like us and already have a complete pet family but would like to help in some way, please think about couriering a pup to the forever home, fostering, or making a donation. Big thanks to all the kids who handled Willow with such gentleness and care, and of course Island Scoop and all the participating people for putting on such a fabulous party!

Real Life Magazine - Styling for Donna Karan's Parrot Cay Sanctuary

Early last month I received a phone call from photographer Steve Passmore inquiring if I would be interested in photo styling  for him for an upcoming project; the showcase property story for Real Life Magazine.  As soon as he uttered the words "Donna Karen" I interjected "absolutely!" before he could finish his sentence.

 

An old friend of ours, Chris Johnston, was the client site architect for the construction of the estate over the course of several years so I knew a great deal about the magnificence of the place but had never had the opportunity to lay eyes on it. Even when TC Millwork was contracted to build the bedroom dresser pictured below, the stars did not aline for a site visit.

All images by Steve Passmore for Real Life Magazine

The second story pool was even more incredible than I imagined; framed by swinging sofas, giant teak lounge beds shaded by white sheers, and that pure Parrot Cay view.

It is truly a unique vision, no other property in the Turks and Caicos quite compares to this very fittingly named "Sanctuary."

 The Sanctuary's sense of balance was striking to me, not only evident in terms of symmetry and size like pictured above and below, but also in terms of

modern elements like crisp lines and polished glass to natural elements like knotted woods and weathered timber furnishings.

 Juliet Austin writes in the article "Channelling twenty-first century minimalism, the intelligent design blurs any distinction between outside and in. Carefully lit exterior gardens extend spaces outward at night, just as oiled Ipe decking blends with interiors by day. Answering the call of nature, inspiration drew from Karan’s love of Bali’s Begawan Giri Resort. “There, harmony – between man and man, man and surroundings, man and god – is enshrined in life,” explains Kuan. “In Parrot Cay, synchronicity with landscape was paramount. Every element is visually and experientially heightened.” Co-existing with nature, the home unequivocally leaves an impression, “but paradoxically, no trace,” says Kuan. “Buildings are strong, filled with wind, light, air and rain; open to the elements, yet conversely, able to disappear amidst a cocoon of green.”

Please read the entire article here, or pick up your very own copy from the local grocers or many fine businesses.

I extend my gratitude to Steve and Real Life for thinking of me for this project which was an absolute dream to style, but especially to Mary Beth and all the lovely staff.  After our jaw dropping grand tour they kindly read our mixed faces of amazement and overwhelming "where on earth do we start" panic and made certain we had all the direction and hands on assistance we required to create all of these beautiful images.

 

To close, my favorite, the image that for me tells the story of why this incredibly globally fed and influenced home was ultimately built on Turks and Caicos shores . . .

it's a magical place, just as Juliet quotes Donna, "the kind of place that inspires you to make memories."

Longbay Beach Barn

The Longbay Beach Barn sits on a .93 acre lot on Cheshire Hall Circle.  Built by TC Millwork in 2010, the 40' x 60' 2,400 square foot building has been designed to be multipurpose.  There are three 20' x 40', 800 square foot bays separated by solid wood tongue and groove framed walls and oversize sliding barn style doors. 

The first bay has been utilized as the great room, featuring a kitchen and both living and dining areas.  Solid mahogany 9'6" tall bi-fold doors, spanning 12', open out to the surrounding nature.

 A temporary subdivision within the first bay sections off a bedroom, bathroom, and laundry for privacy.

The second bay currently is utilized as guest quarters and an art studio.

 

The third bay currently acts as a garage however, with this much open space (you must see in person to grasp), this bay, as well as the others, could serve a wide variety of fantastic purposes; a unique and charming residence, a kiteboarding/windsurfing eco-lodge, a hobby/art/yoga studio, a private workshop, a luxury car/boat collection storage, or even the ultimate industrial cool bachelor pad.

The framework is solid steel, rated for 160mph winds.  The roofing consists of Long Span III 26 gauge steel 36"reinforced rib panels, which means the beach barn will be a safe haven during hurricane seasons to come.  With the heavy rains of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, not an inch of water entered thanks to an additional 6' of fill compacted on the property before the foundation was laid. There is insulation throughout the ceiling and within the sub floor to the unfinished loft space, which could easily be turned into an incredible attic apartment.

For the eco minded, the building is outfitted with large gutters and drainpipes which feed a 15,000 gallon cistern for collection of rain water.  Even during the dry seasons, this cistern has yet to run empty, saving thousands of dollars in water usage.  The building orientation was placed to maximize the trade-winds; the side and rear 9' tall custom entrance doors and 6' x 6' large operational louvered windows (painted white cypress), create an amazing airflow which keep the space cool even in the hottest August or September months.

One of the many highlights of the property is the picturesque footpath/nature trail to the beach.  This 12' wide easement, one of many public beach accesses within the Longbay Hills subdivision, borders the eastern property line.  There is a small private pathway to the trail from the property, which is a swift seven minute walk to the beach.  The footpath is framed by native stones and features many of the diverse indigenous plant, flower, and tree species indicative of our rare Dry Tropical Forest.

Camille from Provo Ponies on a horseback ride on the nature trail.

 At the end of the nature trail one arrives at this serene and uncrowded beach.

"Long Bay Beach is a large stretch of coastline on the south shore, with beautiful white sands and hardly any visitors. The water is warmer on this side and the waves are shallow and calm, providing excellent swimming opportunities.  Vacationers who are hoping for a taste of seclusion in Turks and Caicos could find that Long Bay Beach suits them perfectly.  Travelers may want to keep in mind that despite Long Bay Beach's lack of seclusion , it is also one of Turks and Caicos' beaches furthest from the crowds . This makes it an excellent choice for families and groups of friends that would prefer a bit of activity at the beach but choose to avoid the crowds."

Text from here 

Longbay Beach is also world famous in the sport of kiteboarding.  SBC Kiteboard Magazine describes it as, "Waist-deep for miles; side-on-wind; flat water; best spot to ride freestyle and freeride."

 Above two images by Federico Bigazzi

At $325,000 the Longbay Beach Barn is an incredible square footage value for the price.  This additionally includes all plans for a future main house on the peak section of the property.  Please see the listing on tcrea #1200165