Brigid Hewes is a decorative tile junkie—and the yin to cohort Marshall Alexander’s yang at The Tile Market, Sarasota’s go-to source for designer brands, luxury and style. A Sarasota native who studied interior design at Florida State University, Hewes gets off on correlating apparel trends to home décor and tile, which trail the fashion world by a year.

“A friend of mine works at Matix Clothing in California, and I get great insights from their cutting-edge design, colors and textiles,” explains Hewes at the store’s new digs on Main Street, where clients are clamoring for hip sculptural relief tiles in glass and ceramic.

But the passion doesn’t stop with trends. “I love to travel. My boyfriend and I are going to Turkey and the Greek Islands this summer. We’ll see a lot of great tiles there, as we did in Egypt and Jordan. I go to places that relate to tile; I follow it and it follows me,” Hewes says. The Tile Market, 1724 Main St. (941) 365-2356.

Relief Map? Tile Market’s hip new showroom walls map out the latest trend: relief tiles like Walker Zanger’s Studio Modern Collection in Imperial Ming Blue by celeb designer Michael Berman.

Can’t live without travel and fashion. Hewes combines business and pleasure on vacations and when dishing about new color and pattern trends with her friend at California’s edgy young Matix Clothing.

What this town needs “A good chill lounge with a Miami Beach vibe,” says Hewes, who has just the right textured glass tile by designer source Oceanside Glasstile in mind—and in stock. 

Shoptalk

Queen’s New Palace Owner Tina Little has moved Queens’ Wreath Jewels from St. Armands Circle to lower Main Street and created an ambiance that is part gem box, part art nouveau palace. Little’s impeccable taste shines in colorful new pieces (from $1,000) like this stunning cross in mandarin orange, pink and green sapphires. Queens’ Wreath Jewels, 1310 Main St. (941) 365-2027.

Moving Heaven? Divinia Jeanne’s Chocolate Heaven, that is. The beloved emporium of all things chocolate hopes to have relocated by July to the Shoppes at Citrus Square, where chocolatiers Deni and Lynne will have more space to create an even more spectacular “experience”—with wine and chocolate pairings in season. Divinia Jeanne’s, 441 N. Orange Ave. (941) 366-5888.

Where Oh Where is Wearable Art? Look no further than Citrus Square. The apparel and accessory boutique owned by jewelry designer Helen Ringus will have a new home (hopefully by mid-July), with the same chic evening fashions, sportswear and her own unique custom jewels. Wearable Art, 1424 State St. (941) 957-0105.