By Carol Tisch

Now that the kids are back at school, Pamela Cook decided it was time for the women of Sarasota to kick back and do what comes naturally: shop and party. She’s expecting 150 guests at her Girls’ Night Out bash at Denuo, her new store at 2523 Stickney Point Road on Wednesday, September 19 from 4 to 9 p.m.

Owner and "environista" Pamela Cook of Denuo.

It’s a fun store, filled with hand-crafted home and apparel accessories and gifts, many of the items made by Cook. “I have a problem with boredom, so I make things with fabric,” says the new shop owner, who comes from the corporate world but inherited a talent for design from her grandmother. “She designed and made clothes for socially prominent women (among them Lady Bird Johnson) in the days when they ordered custom wardrobes just to take on their vacations,” Cook says. “I had a killer wardrobe because my grandmother made my clothes – but I wanted to look like everyone else who shopped at Sears.”

Indeed, there is the nostalgic element of the ‘50s and ‘60s ‘happy TV housewife’ syndrome in a lot of Cook’s crafts projects. Oddly, they look intriguingly fresh and new, which signals to me, at least, a shift in lifestyle values.  I adore her “ditsy print” handmade ironing board covers – and they are walking out of the store at $17.95.  I have to admit a soft spot in the ironing board department: My mom layered cover on top of cover just as Cook says she likes to do.

The busy retailer is also making aprons into retro fashion statements ($16 for kids; $22-28 for corporate execs). They’re ruffled and cheerful, some with pockets made of vintage doilies. “I use old patterns for the aprons, but have to resize them because women are taller today,” Cook explains.

A TV housewife apron is retro-chic.

The name Denuo means “fresh beginning.” she says, and it refers to her new career. But that’s the extent of it, because the store is a treasure trove of reclaimed and vintage materials. I loved a white shabby chic armoire at the unbelievable price of $250. There are great vintage wooden buckets from China, and this environista even makes her own calling cards and shopping bags. Check them out. The bags are used cereal boxes with ribbon handles, and the cards are printed on recycled box paper with the original print on the back side.

Since the store opened in July, the hottest seller is Cook’s own original creation, the Tab Bag. She completely covers handbags (in several styles) with garment labels – at $50 to $90, she is just keeping up with demand.

If you’re in the mood, check out the party. For Girls Night Out, in addition to wine and hors d’oeuvres, you can indulge in massage or manicure. A massage therapist, nail technician and jewelry designer will also be on hand.