EDITOR'S LETTER

Palm Beach County is more alive each year as a growing number of people are choosing to vacation here or make the area their full-time home. We are also seeing an influx of younger people as they decide that this is the place to be. One evening, when I was having dinner with friends at Café Boulud, the 26-year-old son of one of my friends was with us. After dinner he was meeting up with friends. I thought he would be off to Cucina, as it always has a great young late-night crowd. However, as the evening progressed that Saturday night, the Brazilian Court was bustling with people of all ages having a great time and enjoying the music spun by DJ Jean Marc. His friends joined him here as they were beginning their evening. All this is to say that the Palm Beach that I grew up coming to is not the Palm Beach of today.

As great homes are at a premium in this part of the world, we are seeing more spectacular condos as we scout for wonderful residences to feature. One such amazing space was designed by the team of Wayne Nathan and Carol Egan for Marjorie and Stephen Raphael. The complete transformation of this 3,000-square-foot residence addressed everything on their wish list. There is even a music room where Stephen often plays jazz piano (his passion, besides his family). We were lucky enough to have him entertain us as we finished our shoot. He is a staunch supporter of the Jazz Arts Music Society (JAMS), so be sure to go to our Calendar section to learn about their monthly jam session.

Designer Chad Renfro performed miracles when he tackled the structural and decorating challenges of a 1960s apartment that only had its location to rave about. If you wonder whether all the work it takes to totally transform a property is worth it, click on the article by Saxon Henry and see for yourself.

My parting wish is that you enjoy the best of what life has to offer. One of my recent joys was a shopping excursion I went on with fashion icon Iris Apfel, which Alejandro Saralegui described in this month's antiques column. Do try and go by Iris's show at the Norton Museum, which is open till May 27. It truly is among the best of what Palm Beach has to offer.

Barbara L. Dixon
Editorial Director
barbara.dixon@hcandg.com