Getting Away From It All

It’s been a little while since my last post, in part because this summer has been fast and furious. My husband and I keep reminding each other we need to slow down, but with our respective businesses, life is busy, to say the least. We both love our work and feel so lucky to ride this wave of the home industry right now, but of course, it comes at an expense.

We had some dear friends visit us in the Green Mountains last weekend in their airstream. They have been adventuring to the east coast from San Francisco for the last two months. It was truly a bright spot in the year for me, I hadn’t felt that happy in a while — the kind of happy that touches your soul and reminds you how beautiful life is. Our babies, both born within the last year two months apart, were able to meet for the first time. It was truly a celebratory weekend and so fun to hear about all of their experiences throughout the country.

Throughout Covid, my husband and I have toyed with the idea of embarking on an airstream adventure next summer. Their visit was the added spark we needed to put our dream to fruition and so now this concept is becoming a reality. There is so much to see, feel, understand and experience in our country, from back roads to National Parks and more.

Below, a photo from my one of my favorite accounts, @womenfolk_jh — I love the spirit of the west and the sense of antiquity this account captures. Oh, and of course, please note the airstream…

Sanity

When I am stressed and recognize that my mind needs a break, I turn to being creative.

Our little A-frame in the Green Mountains has a back porch that is in need of some attention. We have always dreamt of enlarging it slightly and creating a screened-in porch dining area. The bugs in Vermont can be a nuisance often when dining outdoors, and with a view of the lush back woods, this feels like a great solution along with an opportunity to liven up an otherwise forgotten space.

I’ve made a little mood board for each room in our home and over the weekend began scheming up how I would furnish the porch for the A-frame in Vermont. With a strong affection for The Adirondacks, naturally, I love rustic beauty. Mountain life where patina and texture run rampant. I see a rush rug, Décors Barbares textiles, stick rattan and wicker, and a few pieces that are perhaps Bavarian or Austrian in style. The space would be a place to truly relax (speaking of sanity!), enjoy candlelit dinners, play a mean game of backgammon, and take in the cool evening air.

Here’s to dreaming and scheming!

Finally

At last, it feels like we can almost taste summer. Warm morning walks last week confirmed this notion, and now, as I write from our little cabin in Vermont where the green mountains are in abundance, I am particularly joyful to usher in the new season. Things around here already feel different in the most marvelous way. Here’s to the best summer yet.

ABOVE: A snippet from my morning walk near our home in Rhode Island. I love the sight of beach roses with the backdrop of the ocean.

Ga-Ga for Gingham

I’ve always been a sucker for gingham, and having a baby boy sure doesn’t help that fixation. For me, the preppy pattern exudes a carefree, casual but timeless sentiment. Dare I say, it’s a little “campy” — something you might find on a table at a beach shack in Maine adorned with butter stains from a candlelit lobster bake or in the Adirondacks, for a porch dinner accompanied with sponge-ware and a vase of wildflowers. I have always adored the large-scale gingham Maison de Vacances napkins but find them difficult to source as of late. In part, that’s why I was so delighted to stumble upon these two-tone napkins from Courtney Barton’s shop.

Here’s to all things gingham and hoping that lobster dinner manifests itself this summer…

Motherhood

Becoming a Mother was always part of my path in life. Though, I suppose I never really imagined my life without having children. It’s true no one can adequately prepare you for what the experience will be like and every woman has her own unique journey. The photograph below was taken when Wilder was two months old. Though cliche, time is most certainly fleeting. The days feel long but short in the strangest way. There is euphoria and tenderness one moment and loneliness and isolation the next. Then, layer in a casual Pandemic, a full-time job, a home renovation and a move. It’s been quite the year but “These Are the Days” as Van Morrison sings and every now and then, I try to ground myself and find perspective. For me, it’s been an utter messy but marvelous whirlwind and sometimes, I feel like I’m still in survival mode. I have developed the deepest respect and admiration for all Mothers, especially mine. We are so lucky to have Wilder in our lives and I will forever cherish the moments with him, exhausted et al.

Photograph captured by: Lisette Rooney

bring on the splendor

I am beyond ready to usher in summer in all its glory. We are slowly getting our little house assembled (truly, at a snail’s pace), but the images below help keep me focused and energized especially as we work to furnish our petite porch. These designers are truly some of the greatest masters — I’ve had these images “pinned” for quite some time and continue to reference them. The mix of materials — wicker, iron, weathered wood, concrete, blue stone — and pattern through details like trelliage, exude an understated sense of comfort and timelessness while graciously beckoning the outdoors. And, there is something so nurturing and peaceful about being surrounded by green growing things!

Here’s to that first batch of iced tea on the porch…

ABOVE: Steven Gambrel’s Ocean Road Project

ABOVE: Asia Baker’s Cold Spring Harbor Project

ABOVE: Gil Schafer's Renovation in Connecticut

ABOVE: Gil Schafer’s Greek Revival — see more of his personal home here.

ABOVE: Ashley Whittaker’s Millbrook Project

Hoppy Easter!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter Weekend this Good Friday.

This holiday in particular feels a little different now that we have a little one — the visions of him hopping around (well, not quite) in his Easter finery with neighbors and family makes my heart happy. We’ve been reading “Peep, Peep, I Love You!” all week in anticipation, and I’ve officially handed down my Easter Basket to him that I’ve chalked full of books, soft animals and Rebecca Gardner’s Easter Grass.

I discovered Edelweiss Chocolates this year for my little touches around the home and loved their Speckled Easter Chocolate Malt Balls (so gorgeous!) and Caramel Robins Eggs. It’s the little things!

Get the Gusto

It seems like everyone is in Palm Beach at the moment, or perhaps I’m lusting for some sunshine and my radar is especially sharp. Aesthetes are flocking to Casa Gusto for all things divine and delightful whilst I devour every visual bit on Instagram. If you don’t have them on your digital speed dial, hop on it, stat. Follow along, @getthegusto

Images above, via Casa Gusto.

lustful luggage stands

There are luggage stands, and then fabric-covered luggage stands by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. These stopped me in my tracks. Have a look here.

Easter Chic

I loved seeing this fun collaboration for Easter Baskets from Amanda Brooks and Atelier Vime. My husband and I were so lucky to have met the creators behind Atelier Vime in Paris. Anthony and Benoit graciously opened up their beautiful flat in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to us and shared remarkable stories about their business and mission to preserve the wicker weaving craft. We flew back home with a few of their pieces and ever since I’ve had my eye on more of their lighting.

See more of this fun basket collection on Amanda’s site here.

Hippity Hop!

ABOVE: An Assortment of wicker baskets available on Cutter Brooks, true beauties that call on the expertise of Atelier Vime’s wicker and rattan craftsmen.