Just In, the latest memory block tiles by Vancouver, B.C. artist Sid Dickens. During the course of the year he adds to the collection and retires others. Above some of his latest that arrived the other day. We have carried his work since day one. I love how versatile the pieces can be. One or many. Prop one up in a bookcase, lay one flat on a coffee table, choose a grouping to go up on the wall.
Each day Little Hawthorne gets closer & closer to finishing its refresh. I must say, seeing it almost completed, I have fallen in love with it. The old soul of the house is starting to show itself, which is always a good thing in my book. The refinished hardwood floors gloriously telling a story. The light in the rooms shining from the beautiful paint job throughout emphasizing the lovely proportions. The new crushed stone patio singing in the back of the house with the tall trees swaying about. We will be hosting an Open House this Sunday from 1 to 3 for potential renters. We love the idea of someone being our neighbor and loving the valley and house as much as we do. Be it a full-time home for someone or a weekend place throughout the year for someone from the city. E-mail me at TedKennedyWatson@WatsonKennedy.com for more details about terms and pricing. I can’t help but hum, while changing the words ever so slightly, “Won’t you please, won’t you please, please won’t you be our neighbor.”
The front sunporch at Hawthorne was a major selling point when we bought the house, oh my gosh, now 6 years ago. Walking into it that first time, I felt transported. My heart rate felt like it dropped by several beats as I instantly felt more relaxed once crossing the threshold. Scott, the previous owner had completely redone the space, finding old windows to wrap around the room and engulf it in sunlight. We gave it all a fresh coat of paint and furnished it with a comfy down-filled sofa and ottoman on one end. An assortment of chairs over the last few years has filled the other end. Recently we found a green wicker set that completely fits the space to a T, or make that an H! Matching consoles on each side of the French doors that take you into the living room we made identical–with a lamp, candelabra and papier-mâché ficus tree. We love this room year round, but on a hot humid August Hudson Valley Summer day, it is one of my very favorite places to be.
As Summer progresses look for amazing deals on flowering plants, like these geraniums, at garden centers and farmers market stalls. The vendors are clearing their stock, always happy to have you take them off their hands to enjoy the heck out of them. They add an instant jolt of happiness as they are flowering and are as sweet as can be.
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. –Mary Oliver
Snapped this on our way up the stairs to enjoy breakfast at Bartlett House yesterday morning. They have the prettiest little garden where you park your car and walk up to the restaurant. We sat outside on the covered porch which enabled us to enjoy all the blooms while we savored our meal. Sending tons of love from the Hudson Valley on this Flower Friday. Hope this August week-end is lovely for you in every way. X, T
Lots and lots of work happened at Little Hawthorne since our last stay. After breakfast yesterday morning we walked over to check out all the progress. To say we are over the moon would be a slight understatement. It is turning out just as we had planned. The sweet little house is getting spiffed up. I was so tuckered out from doing the show in the city for a few days I only clicked the below photo. Will create a post next week and show you the progress. But I wanted to show you how we had the front porch and door redone to somewhat mimic that of the other house. Our overall goal has been to try and make both houses seem like family, that there is a relation between the two. That the property and houses mesh and make sense together. The front door and entry was our starting point as they are so often a focal point and first impression as you enter into a home.
My husband has been making this Summmmaaaa time salad for as long as I can remember and I adore it as it works really well with so many things. The flavors speak of the season. Take it away Mister Sive on this Wine & Dine Wednesday post shot at WestWard and written at Hawthorne where he is making this again tomorrow eve for visiting family.
This is a stalwart on the Watson Sive household menu: a fine accompaniment to barbeque chicken, a hearty and easy-to-travel picnic, and a happy leftover. This dish couldn’t be simpler. Review the components in the first picture. Prepare each separately. Mix! I’ve noted the portions I use, but always do to your liking.
A few hours beforehand, mince a ½ cup of red onion, cover with your favorite vinegar, and pickle to mellow the onion.
Lightly cook 5 cobs of corn and cut off the kernels.
Remove the seeds and juice and medium chop about 2 cups of tomatoes.
Remove the seeds and medium chop 1 large cucumber.
Julienne ½ cup of Italian parsley (or cilantro if you want a bit more zip!)
Drain 2 cans of black beans.
Add together in a bowl, pour over some EVOO, and mix lightly. This is great both cold or room temperature.
This was the view looking out of the oversized windows at Pier 36 on the Lower East Side yesterday morning at Shoppe Object, the first show I walked on the beginning of this buying trip in New York. It is a spin-off of the big show at Javitz. Found some fun things then hopped in a cab with my friend CoCo (who is here buying for her store in Portland too) and headed to the convention center for the beginning of a long, busy, eyes & head super full of visuals for the day. I did not click away much as I was pretty in the zone. A bit of the zen of buying. Found so much goodness. For me it is all like a puzzle. How will what I buy new fit with what we already have? How will I display it? Does it tell a story? Does it make my heart sing? All of this is swirling around my head as my eyes are landing on product. Is this something we will buy just once or will it become a perennial WK classic? What ship date should it arrive? Do I buy lots of it right out of the gate or try a little to see how it does? Is this seasonal or will we stock it year round? All shopkeepers have their own method. I certainly have mine. I love the process. It is the thrill of the hunt, looking for special needles in the vast haystacks, putting it all together to create a story–both emotional and visual. Tremendous thought, love and care goes into each and every decision, each and every purchase. By the end of the day I am pretty whupped, but invigorated at the same time. Another full day awaits at the show today. As always, merci for following along!
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
You must check out this store the next time you are in Seattle. One of the best curated stores in the country, hands down.
I follow your blog and just really enjoy it, it is so interesting and very well written, please keep it up, I feel like a guest in your home when I read it.
You are a Seattle treasure, just like your amazing stores.
It’s a dream of a book and one that will be as relevant in 5, 10 and 20 years, as much as it is today. A true testament to style and simplicity and your impeccable and thoughtful eye.
It’s all in the presentation, Ted you’re a genius. Thanks for sharing such a place where I can run away from the world and dream.
Your book is fabulous! I’m enjoying every page and have been talking about it non-stop.
Watson Kennedy has become a Seattle staple in my book. Whenever I’m stumped for a gift or in need of inspiration, this is the store I head to.
Watson Kennedy is a preview of heaven.
How divine. I’m always in awe of the way you live, and enjoy, life.
Just a note to say how much I genuinely enjoy your blog and look forward to it each day. It’s right there with the London Daily Mail on my agenda.
It’s true, I bounce out of bed to see what Ted’s up to today… Thanks for being part of my day.
You are an artist and a poet, a true Renaissance man.
Watson Kennedy has won all sorts of awards for artful store displays, which makes absolute sense.
Last July my husband and I moved from Seattle to New Zealand and every day I read your blog. I feel like I needed to let you know that your blog is a bright point in my day…
A wonderful shop in Seattle called Watson Kennedy.
How lovely your posts are! I received your book for Mother’s Day. It’s fabulous. A true gift!
I used your “Style & Simplicity” Dempsey & Carroll notecards. They’re gorgeous!
A virtual powerhouse of design expertise.
Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.
Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.
Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!
Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.
If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.
I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.
I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!
The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.
#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift
Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.
Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.
We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.
We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.
