A Northshore Magazine Launch Party

Flowers by Petros of Ipswich, Massachusetts

I admit it, I love a good party! Seriously, who doesn’t? And when business and pleasure intersect, well sign me up! I recently attended the launch party for the Home issue of Northshore Magazine at Lucia Lighting. Designer Bath has been advertising with Northshore for years so a few of us from the Beverly showroom were there to toast the latest issue.

The March/April issue of Northshore Magazine

With my friends from Designer Bath: Beezee Honan and Sharon Hunt

Our most recent ad in the magazine features the work of Finn-Martens Design. Patricia Finn incorporated items from the Designer Bath showroom in her vignette for the North Shore Design Show held at the Wenham Museum last May. As the Marketing Director at Designer Bath, one of my goals is to support the work of local design professionals. We loved how Pat created a spa retreat with her favorite items from our showroom, and I knew this professional photo taken at the show by Eric Roth would look great as a full page ad. I plan on showing off more designers work in the future ... click here for more details!

Leon Martens and Pat Finn of Finn-Martens Design

Pat was at the launch party with her husband Leon. Our mutual friend, Mary Donovan, who is now working with Landry and Acari, was also among the invited guests. Mary has helped me find the perfect carpet for many of my design show spaces.

Mary Donovan of Landry and Acari

with Leon Martens

Lisa Amore of Lucia Lighting with
Kelly Schetzsle of Northshore Magazine

Along with being a fun place to host a party, Lucia’s has the most amazing selection of classic and on-trend lighting options. I have bought items from them for my own home and have sent many decorating clients their way over the years. In the works is a collaboration for the next North Shore Design Show as well as a special event that we will announce at a later date. 

Selections for the home from the March/April issue of Northshore Magazine

Timothy S. Hopkins Catering of Essex, Massachusetts

While the Lucia showroom dazzled with its ambient lighting set against a backdrop of historical elegance (the showroom is in a multi-story renovated Victorian mansion), the event itself was beautifully coordinated by my good friend, Laura Gifford of Gifford Events. The food presentation was beyond gorgeous ... click here to see mouth watering photos of the entire menu (plus launch party guests) taken by Barbara Lynch Photography. I really wish I ate more when I had the chance but as usual I was too busy chatting. Here are a couple more photos that I took (and some that I borrowed).

Suzanne Roche of Northshore Magazine with event coordinator Laura Gifford

photo credit: Barbara Lynch Photography

Sally Wilson of Wilson Kelsey Design with

Kathy Keegan of Northshore Magazine

John Kelsey of Wilson Kelsey Design with Debra LaPorte

of Debra LaPorte Communications

See this Wilson Kelsey designed space photographed by Laura Moss

in the current issue of Northshore Magazine.

We all left with a full bag of goodies (above are just a few of my favorites) including Designer Bath guest soaps (they smell like lavender and have our logo embedded in them) that I ordered through Sweet Soaps, a great company that I discovered while on Twitter. This is what they looked like before sending them off to the Northshore team ...

Cakes for Occasions of Danvers

Another favorite from the goodie bag was a sprinkle covered chocolate cake pop which was promptly eaten as soon as I got home! Thank you to the team at Northshore Magazine who put together this fabulous event and to Lucy Dearborn at Lucia’s for being such a bright and gracious host!

Click here to see the online version of 
Northshore Magazine Home section.
(I am quoted on page 27 : )

Last day of the show ...

Today is the last day to take in the Old York Decorator Show House in York, Maine and I highly recommend it! This has always been one of my favorite shows for its coastal design combined with New England charm.

Two designers who participated in the Wenham Museum North Shore Design Show last May also have spaces in this show. Patricia Finn of Finn-Martens Design composed a graceful foyer and stairway with an Asian flair (see the luxurious spa retreat she designed for Wenham in New England Finery Magazine). Mary O’Neill created a serene home office in the colors of the ocean for the York show (get a glimpse of her North Shore Design Show afternoon tea vignette also in the summer issue of New England Finery Magazine).

There’s lots of other great spaces with inspired design including a black-and-tan study by Boehm Graham Interiors in honor of this historical properties former life as a local tavern, a stunning library by Boston designer Frank Hodge that elegantly combines antiques with modern cabinetry, and not one – but two kitchens – with some unique custom treatments. That is what I love about design shows – there are always some new ideas to take home as a souvenir : )

Let me know if you get a chance to make it to the show and what your favorite space was!

Getting cozy in the kitchen.

A custom bench cushion with accent pillows that I recently had made for one of my clients to coordinate with a large but simple valance designed to showcase a dramatically scaled print from Stark fabrics.

Despite the pouring rain on Saturday, many showed up (in some very cute slickers, I might add!) to take in The Wenham Museum’s 2nd Annual Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour. Nine kitchens were showcased – and of the six that we had time to visit, each was unique and all were quite welcoming in their own way. Some were like walking right into a magazine spread (which I loved), while in others you could tell that these kitchens have been cherished by their love-to-cook owners (which I totally envied).

Here is what I noticed (but wasn’t able to photograph ...)

• The floors: lots of medium to dark hardwood on the floors. One that I really adored had beautifully dramatic extra wide planks. So unusual! I love hardwood in the kitchen (a farmhouse feature of my current in-need-of-a-renovation-kitchen that I am a-ok with). Hardwood has a slight give underfoot, which a cook who spends a lot of time in the kitchen can really appreciate.

• Unique materials: One home in particular stood out from the rest with its patchwork of earth-colored cork tiles, a center island topped with a genuine slab of pine (smooth and shiny on top, but still sporting its roughly curved edge), sparkly walls (I think there were shells ground up in the plaster?), and large rock finials on the stair banisters. This home, with its nod to nature, felt and looked “real.”

• In a big room, small cozy spots stand out. Who doesn’t love a secret hideaway? In some of these wide open kitchens, it was the pantry that stole the show. Pantries are my all time favorite ... I can just imagine sneaking away from a party to sip a drink with a friend and talk about the goings on in the quiet comfort of a stylishly decorated butlers pantry.

• Personality counts. I can’t remember how many burners each stove had, or who had the newest kitchen gadget (with the exception of the kitchen with two dishwashers — my dream!), but I do remember the framed photo of one homeowner with Julia Child, the collection of horseback riding inspired tea cups, the family portraits, and the boldly dramatic choices in lighting, wall coverings and fabrics that gave us a glimpse of the personality of those who lived there.

• Flowers make a difference! Some of my favorite spaces included beautiful flower arrangements. Even if your kitchen isn’t on a show house tour, you can give it some designer-love with a pretty vase of flowers. Even better ... make up three small vases with the exact same arrangement and place them side by side on your counter or dining table. People WILL notice, and they are great for taking the attention away from the have-to-live-with-for-now-items that you may not want people to see ... like Harvest Gold appliances, for example (I use a lot of flowers in my kitchen)!

You can actually check out one of the kitchens online by my friend, designer Patricia Finn of Finn-Martens Design. Her sophisticated design is both warm and thoughtfully modern, while still referencing the historical character of the home.


Photo from Finn-Martens Design website

End note: We worked up quite an appetite after touring so many gourmet style kitchens. In one home, we saw a plate of brownies that seemed to be taunting us from under the safety of its glassed dome! We didn't sneak one – this time – but I will remember to bring some snacks for the ride next year.

Maybe this recently renovated home overlooking
Chebacco Lake will be on tour next year?
I will post more pictures of the other
newly designed rooms soon.

In the meantime, if you are seriously considering a re-haul of your current kitchen, check out this great interview with Ina Garten of the Barefoot Contessa (one of my favorite people that I haven’t met!) by Christine Pittel of House Beautiful. Ina’s philosophy on what makes great kitchen design, and how to entertain at home without stress is a must read before starting any kitchen renovation ...

50 Kitchen Ideas from the Barefoot Contessa

Photo credit: Julian Wass

York Decorator Showhouse: Preview

A sneak peek at “Secret Hideaway”

designed by Linda Hentschel

Old York’s 20th Annual
Decorator Show House:
McIntire Farm

270 Cider Hill Road, York, Maine
July 18th – August 15th

Take a ride to York, Maine and for a ticket price of just $20 you can get away to a seashore-inspired show house this summer. Tour over a dozen inspiring spaces at the 20th anniversary of the Old York Decorator Show House held this year at McIntire Farm, a 1920’s farmhouse that overlooks vintage fields along with the sun-drenched marshes of the York River.

I visited the show house in its “before” stage and can’t wait to see the designer-transformation. The property is beautiful, with a huge attached barn (my favorite), a wrap-around farmer’s porch and lots of great spaces that I am sure will offer many decorating ideas along with “oohs and ahhs!”

This year, two of my friends will be in the show ... Linda Hentschel and Patricia Finn. Be sure to stop by their rooms to see their amazing talent for yourself. Check future blog postings for more updates on their work (we have been collaborating on the re-decorating of the Stevens Estate in North Andover).

In her own words ...
Linda describes the philosophy
behind her York transformation
in her blog entry posted
for Accent Magazine.

Show House Hours
Open Mon., Wed. – Sat.
from 10 am – 5 pm
Thurs. until 7 pm and
Sun. from 1 pm – 4 pm
Closed on Tuesdays

For tickets and more information
call (207) 363-4974 or visit the
Museums of Old York website
www.oldyork.org

This lily, brought home from York, Maine
now thrives in my Lynnfield garden

And if you visit on a Sunday, you could also squeeze in a visit to one of the featured gardens presented by the Old York Garden Club “Summer Sundays in the Garden” held between noon and 4pm now through August 16th. This bi-annual fund-raising event offers a public viewing of many well-established private gardens in and around coastal York. You simply can’t beat the $3 admission fee either, so grab a friend (or two) and make the trip to York to see all things pretty!

Accessorizing for a design show

Pearl bracelet by Carolee; Handbag designed by Jane Skelley;
Dress by Max and Cleo; Shoes by Tahari; Floral overcoat by Vertigo Paris;
Background damask fabric is Clayton Ocean from Calico Corner

With the Tablescape Design Show that I will be participating in at the Wenham Museum coming up in less than a month, I am thinking a lot lately about what I will wear to the preview party (isn’t that half the fun?) and what I have worn to shows in the past.

Last September, I helped my friend, interior designer Patricia Finn with some styling for The Newbury Bath, a room that she designed for The College Club of Boston. I was able to join her, and the many other talented designers and artisans who revitalized spaces at the Club, for the gala event celebrating the completion of the project. Since Pat had chosen a gray palette for her sophisticated bath renovation, I decided to wear a gun-metal gray cocktail dress that, if it came in any other colors, I surely would have bought them all (it was one of those perfect fit, perfect price moments)!

After finding this fabulous frock (I am not showing the whole dress because I will wear it again!) and then a perfect pair of pumps, I called my talented friend, handbag designer, Jane Skelley to see what she had available to complement my ensemble in her custom-made collection. She quickly emailed a few photos from her inventory, and the one shown above was just what I had in mind. Since I always receive so many compliments when I carry one of her bags, I decided I had to share her work on my blog.

Here are some stylish totes from her spring collection ... contact Jane at sjskelley@comcast.net to snag one for yourself (shipping is available). Each bag is unique, featuring a different combination of fabrics, trims, handles, shapes and sizes. They are “perfect for any occasion, day or night” and for you girls out there who *adore* fabric as much as I do, they are the ultimate accessory to decorate an outfit! Ask about hosting an at-home handbag party (how I was first introduced to Jane) or visiting her at an upcoming shopping event. The hardest part is deciding which one to pick. Here are some of my designer tips to help you in your quest for the perfect bag ...

If you are fashion-forward ...

#524 Red Velvet ... $55.00
14 1/2 in. wide x 9 in. high (plus handle)



If you are traditional ...

#527 Cranberry & Seafoam Floral ... $28.00
6 in. wide x 7 in. high (plus handle)



If you like traditional with a twist ...

#538 Red Floral with Gold Trim ... $45.00
10 1/2 in. wide x 7 1/2 in. high (plus handle)

For the preppy at heart ...

#534 Pretty in Pink Plaid ... $50.00 *SOLD*
14 in. wide x 8 1/2 in. high (plus handle)



You are “at home in the modern world* ...”

#536 Modern Girl at the Park ... $48.00 *SOLD*

16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)


*Photo featured on Dwell.com

You are wild about animal prints ...

#491 A little leopard ... $30.00
8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)



You love the classics ...

#520 Tootsie ... $50.00 *SOLD*
16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)




You are an all American girl ...

#540 Shining Star ... $55.00

14 1/2 in. wide x 9 in. high (plus handle)




You are easy-going ...

#487 Blue ultraSuede Beauty ... $45.00

10 1/2 in. wide x 8 in. high (plus handle)



You just want to have fun ...

#532 Spring Fling ... $28.00

8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)



And just as one black piece of furniture can add visual balance to a room, here are a couple of wardrobe must-haves that will make any outfit look complete ...

#528 The Little Black Bag ... $30.00

8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)

#537 The Bigger Black Bag ... $50.00

16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)

My clients are always saying, “I love this fabric so much I wish I could wear it!” With a beautiful handbag designed by Jane Skelley, now you can!