Sometimes you just need to unplug, unwind, do nothing but look at the sky.
A Single Extraordinary Tulip
Flower Friday is a single bloom. But oh what impact that single bloom can have. I was lucky to get my hands on a bundle of white Mount Tacoma tulips at the wholesale grower on Tuesday for the Airbnb shoot on Wednesday. I dotted them around the house in vintage single stem containers. Each adding so much to the space they graced. This one in the upstairs bathroom winning the prize. Hope you enjoy the simplicity of it as much as we did.
Hope your week-end is grand! I am off to Trade Secrets in CT tomorrow with my friend Elizabeth. It has become our tradition. It is the Bunny Williams event filled with sublime plants and antiques and is always such a huge treat. Then into the city on Sunday for the stationery show. Monday is my annual pilgrimage to the Kips Bay designer show house and then back up to Hawthorne. X, T
Hawthorne Airbnb Plus
Airbnb is introducing a new program called, Plus, with design a major factor. We are honored that Hawthorne has been chosen to be part of it. From their site, “Plus is a selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great reviews and attention to detail.” They came and shot the house yesterday. I always love a photo shoot! Our experience with the guests that have rented out the house has been hugely satisfying and meaningful to us. Only being at the house several months a year, we love the idea of others being able to enjoy the specialness of the house & property. Sharing the experience of being here is of great importance to us. Small details bring both of us great joy, and the farmhouse is layer after layer of them. From the soap you wash your hands with, to the linens you use for your meal, to the extra virgin olive oil you use to make a vinaigrette, to the blanket you throw over your legs when you curl up by the fire to read a book, to the artwork on the walls ready to inspire you–all are part of the experience of staying at Hawthorne. I snapped a few photos yesterday while the photographer was shooting away.
If you have never been to the Hudson Valley or have plans to do so, keep Hawthorne in mind. Many of our guests have been blog readers, customers of Watson Kennedy or those who follow along on Instagram. We love sharing our home with those who enjoy all the details and love we have poured into it. Click here for the link.
Happy Thursday all! I hope life is grand in your part of the world.
Living With Art
Art is such a personal thing. A piece might resonate with you yet do nothing for the next person. That is entirely ok, but I think that is what slows down or in some cases paralyzes a person from buying art. Connecting with a piece of art should be all about you. Or you and your partner/spouse. Take everyone else out of the equation. It will relieve a huge amount of the stress over purchasing a work of art. Then you open your mind to what truly stirs your soul.
Hardwood Floor Love
This Hawthorne stay has all sorts of facets to it, from R&R to vintage buying for the shops, to a quick city trip for the stationery show, to chipping away on decisions for Little Hawthorne. Top of the list this visit is figuring out what color to have the floors stained. Under super thick shag wall to wall carpeting from what we are guessing was from the 70’s were beautiful hardwood floors. We are major fans of hardwood floors. Whether stained or painted, they are what we have had in our homes since we first met. There is just something about the grains and color variation we both love. Needless to say, we were pretty over the moon when it was figured out these were under all that carpeting. Having the floors refinished will bring them back to life, creating a fine canvas for the rest of the work ahead.
Ted’s Tip No. 201
Today’s Ted’s Tip is a small compilation of acts of kindness that I asked for last week in honor of my 200th tip and in celebration of Style & Simplicity turning 5.
Visiting the elderly at their home, to cooking or baking for your neighbors and delivering the food as a surprise, to paying for the person behind you in line at the coffee shop or grocery store, holding the door open for someone, sitting with someone who is alone, or letting a car in at a busy intersection, to looking someone directly in the eye and using their name, or simply smiling. Just some of many, many thoughtful simple acts of kindness each day that were submitted. If you want to perk up your day look over the list on Instagram or FB or right here in the comments section. It will warm your heart and make your day. Cheers to daily acts of kindness!
I have drawn the 5 winners. Look for a message by way of the social media channel in which you posted your act of kindness with a message of YOU WON!
