A Painting for Café Eugenia: Honoring a Historic Street and a Special Friendship

For months, I’d been visiting Café Eugenia, drawn in by its charm, peaceful energy, and the way it made me feel instantly at home. Over time, I got to know Bea, the owner, and realized the heart of the café’s warmth came from her. Bea has created a space that invites people in and makes them want to stay—a rare and beautiful gift.

Once we decided I’d create a painting for the café, Bea invited me on a little adventure! One sunny morning, she drove me down to Eugenia Street on Kiawah Island. We took a slow, peaceful stroll beneath the live oaks, sunlight streaming through the branches. Bea shared stories and pointed out her favorite homes, helping me get a feel for the heart of the island.

Eugenia Street - Kiawah Island

Later, as I flipped through the photos from our walk, one little yellow house jumped out at me. I hadn’t even noticed it at the time. There it was—tucked into the trees, with a palm tree growing right through the roof!

It had character, whimsy, and soul. It made me smile, and I knew right away: that house would inspire the painting.

Eugenia Street isn’t just beautiful—it’s historic. In 1950, C.C. Royal, a lumberman and developer from Aiken, South Carolina, purchased Kiawah Island for $125,000. He named the first developed street after his wife, Eugenia Mae Royal. What began as a tribute to love and partnership laid the foundation for the island’s transformation into the special place it is today.

The name “Eugenia” itself comes from the Greek word eugenēs, meaning “well-born” or “noble.” While not tied to royalty in the traditional sense, the name carries a quiet elegance and strength—just like the street that first shaped the island’s story, and the café that now carries its spirit. There’s a sense of legacy in the name, a gentle nod to both history and beauty that lingers in the air when you walk beneath those live oaks—or sip coffee inside Café Eugenia.

Morning on Eugenia Street

Titled Morning on Eugenia Street, the painting is an acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches. I limited myself to just five paint colors and mixed everything by hand. It was a creative challenge that brought surprising freedom—keeping the palette soft and cohesive while letting the character of the house, and the feeling of that morning, shine through.

Stop by to see the painting and experience what makes Café Eugenia such a special place.

See ya'll soon,

Danielle