Favorite Things

Bruce Yamron: Several years ago, my wife, Bridget, and I took a little stroll around Third Street South passing the time until our table was ready at one of Naples' fine restaurants. We came across an art gallery where people were gathered. Seeking to join the fun, we entered and found out that Peter Max, the eclectic modern painter, was showing his work.

Bridget loves bright colors, and we stayed to take a longer look. It turned into quite a lengthy look as Bridget fell in love with a painting. Did I have any choice other than buying it for her on the spot?

Carrying the massive, wrapped picture, we returned to the restaurant to claim our table. All in all, it was probably one of the more expensive dinners of our lives. Still, each time we look at the picture we remember with gratitude that life offers us unexpected finds that bring us joy.

Kellie Burns-Garvey: My absolute favorite piece is the Oriental rug I purchased about a year ago. The 12-by-12-foot rug has a warm beige background, with browns, pinks and greens in the fleur-de-lis pattern. It is the centerpiece of our main floor and pulls together the hardwood floors, deep moss-colored walls and the marble fireplace. I went in search of the perfect floor covering a few months after my son was born. I needed something soft for his little hands and feet, yet durable enough to survive the spills, crayon marks and messes. My husband, son and I spend hours playing and reading on the rug. I hope to pass it, and all the memories it holds, on to my son someday. Hopefully he will get the same pleasure I have from it.

Kim Long: My Jonathan Green art, which I acquired in 1998, is my favorite. As a Southerner, living with art that represents the historical preservation of our culture and way of life is pure joy, especially since the artist is a personal friend.

Joe Cox: For years we would roam around Tuscany looking for decorative vases, tiles, plates and related items. I do not know how to say "tile" in Italian. We never could find the one definitive store that had a complete collection of items to choose from. That is until A Mano moved to 13th Avenue South, just east of Third Street. They have chosen the best of Tuscany-and saved us many miles of driving.

Mary Susan Clinton: One of the most coveted treasures I discovered in Naples was an eight-piece, 12-place setting of my sterling silver pattern, Grand Baroque, found at an estate sale. It was very old and heavy and came with unique pieces like oyster forks, unlike the newer, lighter sterling silver flatware today.

Frank Haskell: The American flag flies proudly each day at our home overlooking our community's golf course. Being brought up by an American patriot and married to a lady whose father was a World War I hero, I have always treasured the American flag as a symbol of freedom and pride. As I look out at our flag, I thank God each day for the wonderful life bestowed upon us and pray for the safe return of our servicemen, who are fighting gallantly in the protection of our flag and freedom all over the world.

Suzanne Chute: Most of our artworks were acquired locally, and all are favorites. We purchased Miles Collier's Riders I, a charcoal on paper, and Riders II, the same drawing painted in acrylic, at an exhibit held by the Naples Art Association at the von Liebig Art Center in 2003. Also special to us are two of his paintings that we purchased sight unseen from the student exhibit at the New York Studio School when Miles was completing a program there. We had no idea what we were buying, but when we received them, I was blown away by how much they appealed to me, and they are still my favorites. Naturally, knowing the artist makes owning these pieces even more special.

Denise Cobb: Although I have bought many interesting and beautiful things here in Naples, what comes to mind when I think about one-of-a-kind items are things I have purchased at one of the many estate auctions around town. My favorite is a cobalt-blue sherry set that once belonged to silent-movie star Mary Pickford. Although it's not priceless crystal or even very expensive, I love to imagine Ms. Pickford pouring sherry out of the decanter into one of the small glasses for her husband, Douglas Fairbanks, as they discuss Old Hollywood.