Visit the Tropical Muse Makers Mart for fun Florida accessories. Photo Courtesy of Pansy Bayou.

Nothing captures the Gulf Coast’s elegant yet laid-back and fun design style quite like Pansy Bayou. The home and lifestyle brand represents a collaboration between Founder Ellen Hanson, of Ellen Hanson Designs, Studio Director Casey Stephenson and Pansy Bayou Team Member and Senior Designer and Director of Ellen Hanson Designs in New York, Lisa Hargus. The team has created an interior design studio and retail shop that curates a selection of unique products coveted by Sarasotans. Some of the store’s most popular featured makers include Textile Designer Charlotte Osterman, Designer Christina Vicente and Wolfum, a home goods brand. If you’re not familiar with the Pansy Bayou, then stop by their first annual Tropical Muse Makers Market on Saturday, March 9 from 3-5pm.

Pansy Bayou has partnered with Vital Surf Gear for this sip-and-shop event that will showcase both brands’ rich collections of products. “There is somewhat of a hole and opportunity for curators such as Lisa, Ellen and myself to say ‘here are some great folks that we all know and you guys should know them too,’” Stephenson says. At this mart, visitors can discover the treasure trove of items curated by the Pansy Bayou team, like rugs, tabletop games, ceramics and more, along with products from Vital Surf Gear. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous quick-drying Turkish towels from Fouta Harissa. Several makers local to Sarasota will be featured, and some of the shop’s most popular makers will attend the event in person. As a women-owned business, Pansy Bayou is excited to celebrate women makers during the event, which takes place during Women’s History Month. “I love that it’s women-centric. It’s for everyone but features women makers and innovators,” Hargus adds. “I think it’s claiming some space and bringing up some voices.”

The team hopes that attendees will find something to suit both their style and budgets, and the products range from under $100 to more luxurious items. “Because of the creativity of the team and Casey’s eye for presenting this Gulf Coast chic point of view, the shop has a lot of identities that we play with and enjoy,” says Hargus. Along with beautiful products for the home and Florida lifestyle, guests can enjoy eats and drinks like cookies featuring Charlotte Osterman’s prints. As a bonus, five percent of the event’s profits will be donated to the Suncoast Water Keeper to protect the natural spaces that define our region. “It’s about finding items that live in your home as an accessory,” Stephenson adds, “but that you can also use on the Gulf Coast in a utilitarian way.”

Tropical Muse Makers Mart at Pansy Bayou, 1533 Dolphin St., Sarasota, 941-413-5115, pansybayou.com.

Visit the Tropical Muse Makers Mart for fun Florida accessories. Photo Courtesy of Pansy Bayou.

Pansy Bayou