"Living on an island is the best thing since sliced bread," says Garrigues.  And a carefree island existence is what she sought to create, in a cottage full of cherished possessions given to her or collected.  "I like to be surrounded by things that have been touched and loved," she says.  She knows unhesitatingly what is most important to her.   If she had to evacuate Palm Beach in a hurricane, what would she take?   "My teddy bear." she answers quickly. "And my Levitating Leopard."

But, for now, no hurricanes threaten.  Garrigues looks forward to the end of each day when she walks into her island refuge.  "It's full of wonderful peace and solace away from the mad world," she says. Garrigues' bedroom is a refuge far from London's damp chill; she decorated it in antique Chinese bamboo and furnished the private adjoining terrace with an iron daybed.  "I have to be near nature," she says.  "I can sneak outside during the day and read a book."

Kathleen Quigley writes about design around the world, from Kenya to Palm Beach, and has enjoyed extended safaris in both locals.