A Shop Worth Celebrating

Southern Living, Mar 2005

Forget needing a special occasion; we've found a store that alone can inspire a party. From its personalized napkins to its made-to-order invitations to the wonderfully unique table arrangements, Artesana in Pensacola begs to be celebrated.

Artesana has everything you need to make your next big soiree a success. And if you don't know where to begin, don't fret. Its employees have excellent ideas and are willing to help organize every detail. Give them a theme, and they will take care of the rest. Even if you plan to decorate an igloo in Alaska, they're willing to ship the entirety of your order.

The store also has gifts for every occasion. Since Josephine Proctor Daniels bought the place in 2003, she has put together a baby section, which stocks clothing, plush toys, blankets, and photo albums. Customers nab the precious all-cotton baby gowns featuring a tie at the bottom instead of the traditional buttons.

They also specialize as one of the country's only sources for handmade monkeypod plates. The wooden dishes tackle the awkwardness of outdoor dining by balancing easily on laps, leaving fingers free for nibbling. They come in 8-, 10-, or 12-inch (the most popular) squares. The store offers a wide selection of monkeypod serving pieces as well.

If wood's not your thing, they have all the latest from dinnerware and flatware designers Vietri, Vicki Carroll, Mottahedeh, Present Tense, and Napoleon, making Artesana a wedding registry heaven.

Artesana: 242 West Garden Street, Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 433-4001, 1-800-836-1380, or www.artesana imports.com.