Naples+Illustrated+201812

Rufino Hernandez, creative

director and managing partner of Garden District

Design and owner of Golden Gate Nursery, is pas-

sionate about design and self-expression. Born and

raised in Naples, Hernandez graduated from Johnson

& Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island,

before returning home in 2002. He is famous for his

unique talent with flowers and ability to transform

raw materials into award-winning floral statements.

1. Biggest splurge: A trip on The World Residences at
   Sea. We cruised around the Iberian Peninsula, through
   the Straights of Gibraltar (on an outdoor bed), and
   ended in the Balearic Islands. Pure heaven.


2. Favorite cultural attraction: The Naples Botanical
   Garden. It is incredible what a small group of dedicated
   benefactors and volunteers can do. Also, the fact that
   it’s always growing and changing means you never see
   the same thing twice.


3. Signature sip: Don Julio Tequila on the rocks


4. Beloved charity: Humane Society Naples. I believe
   the character of a city is judged by the way it treats its
   animals. We have three rescues at home: two Chi-
   weenie sisters and a Cairn terrier mix. They make our
   house a home and make us better people.


5. Go-to scent: Acqua di Colonia from Santa Maria
   Novella in Florence. A classic scent for every day.


6. Esteemed designer: I love anything by Dries Van
   Noten. His unique take on the world of fashion and
   architecture is inspiring, eclectic, and fun.


7. Where he takes out-of-town guests: The Naples
   Beach Hotel beach bar. It has a great local vibe, good
   drinks, and you can’t beat the sunset from the deck.


8. Must-attend event: This year it’s the STARability
   Foundation Gala. It’s a young organization, but the work
   they do is so important and effective.

136 NAPLES ILLUSTRATED

SENSE OF PLACE

MICHAEL CARONCHI

CHARLIE MCDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY

Best dessert: The

made-to-order

carrot cake from

BrickTop’s at

Waterside Shops is

out of this world.

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Go-to hostess gift:

Flowers, of course!

Flowers make a house a

home and a get-together

into a special occasion.

Hardest lesson learned: Not to take things

personally. As a creative, I take my work and

projects very personally, and sometimes I forget

that it’s not always personal, it’s business.

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Naples Beach Hotel
and Golf Club

Ibiza

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