| I wait all year long for summer in Lyme; for coffee accompanied by stunning sunrises on my east-facing terrace and long, lazy sunsets with drinks on the deck. But I’m as much of a fan of fall in New England and look forward to evenings curled up on the couch in front of the fire with a good book, or a wicked game of Scrabble. Usually, when I make the move back indoors, I find fault everywhere: scrutinizing those tiny annoyances that I ignore all summer (the door that won’t shut, the window that won’t open, those hopelessly dog-scratched floors), and inevitably start making lists of Things To Do. This spring we renovated our bedroom, so household projects are on hold for the moment, and frankly, (thankfully!) there’s not much that needs attention. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like to look. Design books, blogs and magazines are a frequent indulgence, mainly because I like to peer at pretty things. I fell for this local kitchen renovation, and an old friend’s idea of empty-nesting, which I’ve shared here, plus some resources for inspiration. Happy Fall.
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 | Photo Credit: Emily Minton Redfield Photography |
| A Stunning Penthouse by Tate + Burns When one considers downsizing, one doesn’t usually think of a 4500 square foot condo in a high rise. But that’s exactly what Valerie and Gil Clausen of Denver, had in mind. The newly empty nesters yearned for city living, fresh, modern spaces, and views of the Rockies. They found it in a new development and bought the unfinished flat just in time to design the interiors themselves. And, lucky for them, they knew just who to call on for the design. Jenny Tate of Tate and Burns Architects in Essex is Valerie’s sister and (like most sisters) can practically read her mind...
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A Personal Kitchen Inspiration can come from anywhere, and for Mary Schroeder and Catherine Spencer of Lyme, the design of their kitchen began with a bracelet. They showed the brothers at Erik Block Design/Build an Emanuela Duca oxidized sterling and diamond bracelet and said they wanted their kitchen to look like THAT. Then they let them get to work...
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Finished in Fabric, Haddam
I'm always on the hunt for folks doing interesting things in our neck of the woods, and now and then I stumble across them! I mentioned to my husband that I was working on a design issue for the-e-list and he said, "Hey, a guy I ride with is a European upholsterer, you should look him up.” Well, that was somewhat of an understatement. Mark Bijleveld and his wife Susan own Finished in Fabric. At fourteen, Mark began his apprenticeship in upholstery learning the trade in his uncle’s workroom in the Netherlands. His training was authentic old school, involving things like hand-tied springs, straw, and horsehair...
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Tempaper at Total Design Source, Old Saybrook
For those of us who like instant interior design gratification, I’ve got the perfect new product. Tempaper is a self-adhesive, repositionable, and removable wallpaper that comes in a zillion patterns. I, for one, have always fancied wallpaper in OTHER people’s houses. As much as I love a gorgeous floral or damask, I find it impossible to commit. With Tempaper, you can turn a blank wall into white brick, repurposed barn wood, or an elegant Chinoiserie in a snap...
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Chowder Days at Mystic Seaport
With cool fall days comes the desire to indulge in a hot bowl of chowder and what better place to do so than at Mystic Seaport? The Chowder Days menu is sure to satisfy all appetites, and features a variety of chowders and bisques: Manhattan Seafood, Salmon & Corn, Vegetarian Butternut, and of course, classic New England Clam Chowder, plus clam fritters, fish tacos, bratwurst, and more fall favorites. Top your chowder feast off with apple fritters, berry pie and mulled cider, and enjoy live music, horse and carriage rides, games, face painting and a scarecrow activity all over the Seaport and throughout the Chowder Days.
Columbus Day Weekend, October 8th, 9th & 10th from 9 - 5pm.
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Share Your Shoreline Secret There's still time to enter our contest: Share your Shoreline Secret (in 150 clever words or less) and tell us about your favorite shop, restaurant, service or secret spot. Know a great handyman (or woman), devoted dog walker, driver or organizer? Let's get the word out and share them with our readers.
First prize is a $100 gift certificate to Mystic Market and inclusion on the-e-list newsletter and website.
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The best design blogs, cement tiles, vintage rugs, and more links we love.
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| We're always on the hunt for interesting design stories. If you've got one, submit it to erica@the-e-list.com.
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Looking for something to do? Find wine tastings, fall walks, food festivals, sales and more on the-e-list events calendar:
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