Fall is in the air, and with the gardening season just about over, now is the time to make the most of nature’s bounty to fill our homes with the ambiance of autumn. Here are ten simple and affordable ways to subtly acknowledge the beautiful shift of the seasons that New England is famous for. […]
Living
We asked Christine Chitnis, author of Markets of New England (The Little Bookroom, 2011), to choose her favorite fall events. Fall offers us a chance to celebrate the harvest, whether by picking apples, jumping on a hay ride, or digging into a freshly baked pumpkin pie. With the leaves turning glorious shades of colors throughout […]
Hurricane Irene paid a visit to our neck of the woods this weekend, but luckily for us, she left our street more-or-less intact. I hope everyone in New England is safe and dry as we attempt to clean up and rebuild what the hurricane tore down. I was glad to have this week’s post completed […]
You’re in the market for wooden furniture, have a budget, and want to get the best-and longest-lasting-furniture your money will buy. If you’re unhappy with the quality of new furniture in your price range, consider shopping consignment stores and online ads for used furniture. You can buy with confidence when you follow these tips on […]
Gardens
Start Composting with Worms
Vermicomposting is a self-contained and modified alternative or addition to traditional outdoor composting. It consists of using small worms and basic vegetarian kitchen waste such as: banana peels, wilted lettuce, potato clippings, apple cores, melon rinds etc. as “food” for the worms to break down into compost. Worm composting can be done year round inside […]
How To
Wine Crate Bookshelves
While traveling this past week in Vermont, we stopped by Hostel Tevere, located in the beautiful Mad River Valley, for brunch. Not only was the food super fresh, locally-sourced and delicious, but the interior was an inspiring, eclectic mix of DIY projects, and funky furnishings. I noticed these simple, but lovely wine crates, fashioned to […]
Dating back to 1790, Bay School farm overlooks Lake Winnisquam and miles and miles of mountains to the east and north. Everyone has his or her own idea of what heaven looks like. For us, however, a certain 13-plus acres, surrounded by neighboring farms, on a ridge overlooking eight-mile-long Lake Winnisquam as well as the […]
How To
Make a Custom Stencil
Stencils, mainly in the form of adhesive wall stencils (really more like stickers), have become all the rage in the past few years. I think we are nearing the end of this trend, but I would love to see a return to real stenciling—the definition being “a thin sheet of material, such as paper, plastic, […]
Nature’s autumn harvest is on elegant display when you craft a simple yet beautiful nut wreath. Here’s how, in four easy steps. From ancient times, nuts have symbolized hospitality and plenty in cultures around the world. Now our simple project lets you greet your guests and celebrate the season with nature’s own bounty. Start with […]
Northwestern Connecticut’s quiet beauty has long drawn some of the region’s most creative artisans. There we found a concentration of contemporary furniture makers and potters (and one rug visionary) crafting simple-yet-sophisticated pieces for the home. 1. Get Back, Inc. When Tim Byrne, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and the designer and owner of Get Back […]
An unfinished farmhouse inspires expat empty-nesters to reinvent themselves in the Green Mountains.
Professional carver Sean Fitzpatrick shares his best tips and tricks to help you carve the perfect Jack-o’-Lantern this Halloween season.