VIVA TAFFETA

When the stars relaxed backstage during this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, they kicked back in décor from Southwest Florida’s own Robb & Stucky Interiors. “The Retreat,” where country music celebrities gathered during the Las Vegas show, boasted two Tibbie sofas, a coco twig cocktail table, two chocolate leather occasional chairs, a Serengeti chair, a drum side table and more—all provided by Robb & Stucky. The space was accented by peacock-blue taffeta, chocolate-brown damask and coordinating throw pillows. Robb & Stucky worked exclusively with Vegas designer Peggy Scinta to create the design.

LIVING LARGE

Living Walls Furniture and Design has been nominated for the 2008 Top Retailer award by NICHE magazine. The store, specializing in contemporary interiors and offering professional design assistance, earned the nomination based on fair business practices and its dedication to strengthening the American craft community. Living Walls is among more than 600 nominees, including galleries, retail stores and museums, which were nominated by more than 10,000 professional craft artists who participated in a poll by NICHE magazine. The 2008 Top Retailer Awards Winners will be announced Aug. 3. In business since 1970, Living Walls is the oldest contemporary furnishings store in Sarasota.

PARK IT HERE

Prospective Lakewood Ranch residents—and current Ranchers scoping out new digs—can now explore the new custom homes of the Park Collection at the Lake Club. Ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 square feet, the showcase models include the Amaroo by John Cannon Homes and the Belita by London Bay homes. In addition to countless amenities within the gated Lake Club, Park Collection homeowners will enjoy lake, preserve and garden views, tree-lined streets and a mile-long scenic park. Of course, the Park Collection homes themselves are green, too. In fact, Lakewood Ranch is the largest green-certified community in the U.S., and all homes in the Lake Club meet or exceed Florida Green Building Coalition Standards.

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

Andrew Bers brought the Triple Crown to Longboat Key. But instead of winning the Belmont, the Prudential Palms realtor beat out the field of all Prudential Palms agents to win “Company Associate of the Month for Listings Taken.” Adding that title to his honors as Associate of the Month in the Longboat Key office for “Listings Taken” and “Listings Sold,” Bers now owns the distinction of winning all three awards in the same month. He’s already won each of these awards multiple times, but this is his first Triple Crown.