Nov 28, 2020 | Island News
Q: “With the holidays already here, what are some ideas for outdoor entertaining decoration?”
Chris: On St. Croix, think of the weather conditions and sun. Although today there’s just a gentle breeze, in winter we can we get some stronger breezes, especially the seasonal “Christmas Winds”. Be sure your decorations are secured, non-breakable, and heavier than ones used indoors. Having artificial trees, garlands and wreaths with UV protection will prevent sun damage and fading. Lights should be UL certified for outdoor use. Because many outdoor areas might not have outlets, look for other ways to create pockets of light, solar powered lights are a great option. Also, there are wreaths and garlands with battery powered lights and even LED “candles”, which won’t blow out or pose a fire hazard.
Windproof the table by using placemats and napkins made of sturdy material which won’t blow away. Stemless or plastic glassware and non-fragile dishes will put your guests at ease. You want everything on the table to sustain outdoor conditions and still look festive.
Decorate even if you don’t entertain. During these challenging times, bringing color, light, and decorations into your home and outdoor space will warm your heart. It’s a perfect time for remembering dear ones and good times.
Nov 27, 2020 | Island News
For unusual and outstanding outdoor entertaining, The Roseway, a 1925 Grand Banks schooner and National Historical Landmark, is available for sunset sails, events, and weddings! Being aboard an old wooden schooner which has been so lovingly restored and maintained is a delightful experience! The Caribbean Sea changes so much that each time we have sailed has been a different. One lovely February evening earlier this year we were treated to an event with live music by Mamma’s Black Sheep.
The Roseway is also known as a teaching vessel as World Ocean School, www.worldoceanschool.org. Over 21,500 students have taken part since 2004. Students’ participation in the programs broaden their perspectives of the world, their communities, and themselves. You can usually see this magnificent ship docked in Christiansted harbor. For the first time, from December 27th to January 8th, The Roseway will be docked alongside the Frederiksted Pier. The World Ocean School crew will open the ship to the Frederiksted community in free dockside programming, and Community Days. Groups of 10 or less will be welcomed aboard in 45 minute intervals for hands-on lessons in various topics tailored to the ages and interests of the group. From 4 pm – 6 pm, The Roseway will set sail for the daily sunset cruise. Sign up at their web site (more here), or call 340-626-7877.
#Roseway #StCroix #StCroixCommunity
Nov 23, 2020 | Island News
In St Croix, USVI, we utilize our outdoor space for living and entertaining year-round. As a result you will find patios, decks, pools, large dining tables, comfortable lounging area, indoor-outdoor connected spaces as outdoor features in homes. Therefore, creating a comfortable outdoor living room is a great way to extend living space to entertain and to spread out. In this article, you will find tips for making your outdoor space as a retreat. A great way to increase livable space and and be more welcoming to guests!
If you are curious or ready to find a home where you can have indoor and the outdoor living year-round, contact us about home search and real estate in sunny St. Croix! With years of realty experience and over a decade of living on St Croix, there is no better team to find your island home than us! We’d love to talk more about your goals and how we can work together.
Oct 27, 2020 | Island News
Chris Powers: Yes! There are multiple local resources for everything you need in office supplies, and office furniture. Whether you’re looking for mahogany furniture, rattan furniture, or just a comfy chair and table, there are several furniture stores on island. We like shopping at Sweet Lime Furnishings, Ashley Furniture Home Store, and Royal Furniture and Appliance. Office supplies are easy to find at Office Max or Cost-U-Less. If you can’t find what you need on island, Amazon ships via USPS to St. Croix and couldn’t be easier.
For occasional power outages, battery back ups with surge protection (UPS) are important. Many homes and condos have generators which will provide constant backup power. There are a number of small IT support companies, for both software and hardware, on island. Our Brokerage, Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty, uses Reach Communications for IT support.
Christie and I also use Reach Communications for our home office networking, hardware and internet support. They also provide VOIP and high speed broadband access in the downtown Christiansted core over their own network.
Internet providers include Broadband VI and VIYA. St. Croix is the hub for three of the internet’s largest data cables: the South American Crossing (SAC), the Pan America Cross (PAC), and the Mid-Atlantic Crossing (MAC). This represents one of the largest concentrations of internet bandwidth in the world.
Oct 27, 2020 | Island News
Christie Powers: Everyone’s home office is as individual as they are. Some people just need a laptop, mobile phone, and an internet connection to work and stay connected to the world. If this describes your work style, then a hammock or sitting on the beach could be all you need to add! Other people will need a desk or work table, they might dedicate a room in their home or condo as an office, where there’s more space and a door to close.
In our home office on St Croix, we’ve set up two large mahogany tables as desks in the main room so that we have plenty of space for all of our projects. Chris uses a computer and multiple monitors, I just use a laptop. We have a networked printer that we both easily access, a scanner, a short file cabinet and two small rolling file cabinets to keep us organized. Two comfortable ergonomic office chairs, and space for our animal family members (who like staying close, sometimes too close), complete our tropical home office on St Croix.
It’s an open and airy space which allows the tropical breezes and beautiful bird songs to flow through the house. It’s inspirational to view the garden, Caribbean Sea, and blue sky with white puffy clouds while we work!
Oct 27, 2020 | Island News
From Instagram to Pinterest, tropical style has been a hot decor trend. Cheerful design with bold color accents, natural woven materials, and greenery transform a home into a tropical retreat. As many people are working remotely, have you thought about incorporating this decor aesthetic, or perhaps relocating your home office to the real thing?
Here are Decoratorist’s gallery of 47 amazing tropical offices for some inspiration.
