Our Country Home Autumn/Winter 2017

Page 1

Autumn 2017/Winter 2018

The Woodman House A farmhouse project

Rural contemporary Bringing a minimalist aesthetic to Callicoon

Nine nifty ways to cozy up your kitchen ... and more

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2 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

CONTENTS

Letter from the editor Fall, with its cool temperatures and colorful foliage, reminds us that we’ll soon have to hunker down and stay indoors. The mere idea of indoor life inspires a change in decor. From minimalistic to eclectic clutter, this year-end issue of Our Country Home shows different ways of redecorating some of your favorite spaces. Get inspired! Featured on our cover and nestled in Hortonville, NY is the exceptionally restored and bedecked Woodman House. This glorious farmhouse was completely festooned on a dime by the hands of two young men from NYC, Shawn Michael Lang and Kristofer Prepelica, with a little bit Green Acres and a lot of ingenuity. “Minimalism is not the absence of furniture; it is the absence of excessive visual stimuli,” says John Erik of Bllaq in Callicoon, NY, who encourages us all to reduce and simplify our interiors by creating a space that’s “relaxing and calming to the mind and body, and yet still warm,” in an interview with Annemarie Schuetz. Or, if pared-down simplicity is not your thing, you can go the opposite direction in the kitchen by adding strategic clutter in the way of collectables, mismatched patterns, painted floors and more, with the help of Scarlet Obeidallah’s “Cozy Kitchen.”

5 If you can’t decide which way to go, minimal or chock-full in adorning your home, then rent some furniture. That’s right! Joe Cooke discovered Rustic Charm in Honesdale, PA where two friends, Carol and Tina, who were born and raised in Wayne County, will rent their furniture—and it’s not just any furniture. One extraordinary autumn opportunity for DIY home goods is botanical/ natural dyeing, as taught by Christi Johnson in a workshop she gave at The Outside Institute. The process employs many of autumn’s colorful leaves and flowers, fresh or dried, to make patterns on fabrics, including home decorating fabrics. As you enjoy this year’s changing foliage, be inspired and consider the many ways in which you can transform your interior spaces. — Ramona Jan Section Editor

Rural contemporary John Erik Karkula brings a minimalist aesthetic to Callicoon By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ

9

The Woodman House A farmhouse project Interview by RAMONA JAN

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Nine nifty ways to cozy up your kitchen By SCARLET OBEIDALLAH

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Have a comment or idea for the magazine? Contact: Anne Willard at 845/252-7414, ext. 29 or copyeditor@riverreporter.com

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Rural Contemporary John Erik Karkula brings his minimalist aesthetic to Callicoon By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ “For me, it was the absence of corporate America, the healthy river, and the authentic small-town vibe,” says Callicoon resident John Erik Karkula. The interior designer—known for his high-end design shops in Brooklyn and Manhattan—moved here full-time this year after years of part-timing, and has embraced his hometown. In addition to continuing as a designer, he has opened the Bllaq Gallery at Karkula, a design and furniture showroom on Callicoon’s Upper Main Street. Both businesses now merge his love of the modern and minimal with the region’s unique nature. His home is Victorian, the original details preserved. This interest has carried over into other projects he’s done. Example: Callicoon’s Western Hotel. “Some elements had worked their way in over the years that were not of the period. We painted, got rid of the carpet,” he said. “John has been a pleasure to work with,” says Irene Nickolai, owner of the hotel and supper club. “He was creative with using what we had to work with on a super tight budget. This is a true skill.” They spotlighted period details and combined antique furniture with “refreshed… environments that would complement the original 19th-century details, but would have a transitional feel,” she added. Continued on page 5

A room in Karkula’s Victorian home. Out of respect for the era, he says, the original 19th-century details were not altered.

Austere elegance: a sampling of Bllaq’s wares. Clockwise from top left: Hand-blown “balloons” are from Czech lighting design firm Brokis; Overgaard & Dyrman handmade sofa; outdoor sofa by Spanish company Kettal; bar stool by Overgaard &Dyrman; Bocci molten glass chandelier; outdoor dining table by Hopper

A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 5

CONTEMPORARY Continued from page 5

Karkula also designed the interior for Emmá, the newest restaurant in the Bà & Mẹ family, down Maude Alley in Honesdale, PA. “It’s a sweet, petite space,” he said. The use of mirrors, bright colors, polished brass and a huge botanical mural suggesting a window to the outdoors all open up the cozy space. Of course, there’s the showroom. The Bllaq Gallery at Karkula offers minimalism in gentle doses, carefully chosen items that reflect Karkula’s perspective. The pieces resonate with just about anyone: chairs, kitchen items, lighting, flooring, outdoor furniture. The common denominator is a simple beauty that can work with any interior. “I wanted to bring in functional and well designed products,” he said. There’s an emphasis on local products too. “I’ve always exhibited individual artisans, but in New York City, I focused on European design,” Karkula says. “Here, I’ve been discovering local creators too. Nonna Hall in Eldred—she’s pure goodness—and I are collaborating on a ceramic collection. I’m looking for a metalworker so I can produce solid wood furniture with metal elements. There’s a great deal of local talent here.” His previous shops, Breukelen and Karkula, won rave reviews for their support of individual artisans, cutting-edge furniture and attitude-free environment. The Bllaq Gallery sells European pieces but is evolving into a celebration of more local contemporary craft. “The handmade, the modern, the local,” Karkula says. “I want to use the natural resources of this area as much as possible. “The world can be ugly and destructive,” he continues. “But there’s so much beauty too.” Until January 20, 2018, John Erik Karkula will offer complimentary onehour design consultations within a 20-mile radius of Callicoon. Contact John Erik Karkula by phone at 212/645-2216 or visit the Bllaq Gallery at Karkula, 24 Upper Main St., Callicoon. His website is www.KARKULA.com

The interior of the restaurant Emmá, in Honesdale, designed by John Erik Karkula

Karkula studied native plant landscape design at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Now he uses his garden for a canvas.

The Simple Life Minimalism, both the technique and the philosophy, is the foundation for much of John Erik Karkula’s work. The way he sees it, “minimalism is not the absence of furniture, it is the absence of excessive visual stimuli. Leave room for your thoughts, so you can admire the splash of sunlight on an unadorned wall or your cat napping on the sofa.” And here’s how to start. 1. Limit the color palette. Walls, floors and objects should be in a similar tone so the eye is not distracted. 2. Limit pattern. Restrict its use. 3. Do not cover walls with too much art, mirrors, objects, etc. Show one piece of art you love per room. 4. Use table and floor lamps whenever possible. Overhead ceiling light casts a harsh, even light on a space. Lamps create areas of light and shadow that is pleasing to the senses. 5. Stimulate the senses, including the sense of smell. Use candles and room sprays made with essential oils rather than chemical scents. 6. Don’t be afraid to use the interior space of a room. Bring furniture into the middle of the space to create groupings or cozy environments. 7. Use natural materials whenever possible. Solid wood, wool, stone, jute and cotton stimulate the senses. 8. Do not block the windows! Allow as much sun as possible into the room every day. Sun cleanses. Shades or curtains on the bottom half of the window will provide privacy but still let the light through. 9. Always choose comfortable furniture. 10. Most important: Do not use a room as a storage area. Place your extra stuff in a closet or storage space. If you are not using it, put it away or better yet, donate it.

6 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

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The Woodman House

a farmhouse project interview by Ramona Jan

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A gallery wall of antique vintage silhouettes goes up the main stairway to the second level of the house.

Photo by Lawrence Braun http://lwrncbrn.co/

S

ome of us will remember the TV sitcom “Green Acres,” starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm in upstate New York. Fast forward to 2017, Hortonville, NY (rumored to be the inspiration/fi lm locale of “Green Acres”) where “Two boys from the big city [Shawn Michael Lang and Kristofer Prepelica] decide to unplug and embark on the project of a lifetime; historically renovating a 216-year-old farmhouse in the Catskills—a little bit ‘Green Acres,’ a little bit ‘HGTV Dream Home’… on a budget.” According to Lang, whom I interviewed, their vision for the Woodman House is to “restore, not renovate—to bring the property back to life as it once was, including the interior.” How did you fi rst come to know about this area? When we realized purchasing a place in Manhattan was far out of our reach, we started researching real-estate in upstate New York. We loved the Hudson River side of New York, but it seemed a bit more populated than what we had in mind. A good friend and neighbor of ours in the city has a circle of great friends who’ve been coming up to this area for 30-plus years, so we took a road trip one Sunday and randomly stumbled upon Callicoon. After a stroll through the farmers’ market and exploring Main Street, we quickly fell in love. Exploring the different towns like Callicoon, Jeffersonville, Narrowsburg and Livingston Manor gave us the smalltown feeling we were looking for, and a few weekends later, we planned another trip to see a few homes and came upon the Woodman House in the lovely hamlet of Hortonville. Are you here full-time now? The fi rst four years we were back and forth from the city on the weekends. With flexible work schedules, over the past year we took the jump and moved up full time. We absolutely love it! Tell us a bit about your background in design, and is your partner involved in the décor of your home as well? My background is in product design within the fashion and home décor industry. Kris is an oncologist. I’m the perfectionist designer/artist and he’s the freespirited doctor. That pretty much sums up how we work as a team. You’ve upholstered some furniture; can you tell us more about that? We’re always on the hunt for great

The right side of the recently renovated kitchen has open shelving for cookbooks and large picture window.

Continued on page 12

A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 11

WOODMAN HOUSE Continued from page 12

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antiques throughout the area. I’ve recently had an obsession with antique settees. With my background in furniture design and a lot of trial and error, I’ve been trying to upholster pieces myself to save money. A few of our favorite home dĂŠcor shops are Lee Hartwell Antiques in Callicoon, Domesticities in Youngsville and Nest in Narrowsburg. You’ll also fi nd us wandering around at a local auction or estate sale. What inspired you to do a wall of silhouettes? We love collections, and I knew the stairway going up to the second floor needed a statement—a wow factor. I’ve always been fond of antique silhouettes and the sort of person behind each one. After a few years of collecting, they were meant to be featured together on one large wall. Silhouettes are extremely hard to fi nd and get very pricey depending on age. Most of ours are antiques, but I’ve also worked with an artist to handcut new ones for us. How long before you found “Rick

Ranger,� your vintage Ford pickup truck, and what was involved in restoring it? We were hunting for a vintage Ford pickup for a while. They were either totally restored, extremely expensive or needed to be completely rebuilt. When we found Ranger Rick, it needed some body work, which we’ll do over time, but the engine and interior were maintained and in great condition. Did you do most of the home restoration work yourselves and, if so, how did you acquire the skills? We’re pretty handy and love to do projects ourselves. If we’ve never done it before, we’ll research and watch YouTube videos. For example, we’ve become experts in installing tile. Why do you make the choice to keep the wood furniture and not paint it as so many people do today? The goal for the house was to keep things as authentic as possible, similar to the way we try to live. All of the woodContinued on page 14

Photos by Lawrence Braunhttp://lwrncbrn.co/

This small folly house (gazebo) is used for entertaining and as a potting shed.

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The equestrian-themed master bedroom has a sitting area with antique mounted antlers and an antique settee reupholstered by Shawn and Kris.

Kristofer Prepelica, left, and Shawn Michael Lang

Photo by The Farmhouse Project www.thefarmhouseproject.com

work in the house was never painted, so why paint the furniture? We do, however, have a few newer pieces we painted for a more updated look, but it’s important to maintain a balance throughout the house. Some of the artwork looks very expensive. Are they thrift-store fi nds or actual oil paintings? We love collecting art, old and new. While our place in the city was packed with modern and contemporary art, here we fell in love with more traditional pieces. The botanical still-life pieces are from an artist I’ve worked with at work. We love the old moody Dutch botanical oil paintings, and that was the inspiration we gave her. Did you hang the wallpaper yourself or was it there when you moved in? The house was covered in wallpaper when we bought it. Unfortunately, it dated from the ‘70s and ‘80s. We’ve restored most of the plaster walls and painted but did hang up vintage toile wallpaper in two rooms. Did you do a complete restorative renovation on the kitchen? The kitchen is pretty big for the age of the house and had a great layout already, but it was lacking cabinets. We didn’t change anything structural but added lower cabinets with no uppers to keep the kitchen airy and spacious. We added some open shelves for our massive cookbook collection, and luckily there were already two amazing built-in cupboards for additional space. We also have an amazing walk-in pantry—Kris’ happy place. We did mostly everything ourselves with the exception of installing the new cabinets and counters. We even ripped down the ceiling ourselves to expose the wooden beams. Obviously you like taxidermy. How and where did you acquire them? We love the way these antique pieces give a more masculine vibe to the room. The taxidermy pieces in the photos are from a flea market in Europe. Now that you’re in the country fulltime, how has your life changed? I’m now freelancing to dedicate more time to this project and working on branding “The Farmhouse Project” with a book and home décor collection coming soon. We also have a blog/website at https:// www.thefarmhouseproject.com.

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 15

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Nine nifty ways to cozy up the kitchen By SCARLET OBEIDALLAH Kitchen renovations can be costly, so before you spend a single cent in demolition/reconstruction, consider fi rst cozying up your kitchen by adding some simple but unique farmhouse splashes.

Start with an array of colorful hand-painted plates that purposely don’t match—because in farmhouses of old, that was often the case. Add collections of tea bag cozies, egg cups, ceramic birds, dogs or cats, vintage cow creamers (remember them?) and whatever else strikes your fancy. Make sure to fill your hutch and shelves to the brim. You can find random china and ceramics at many local antique shops including Lee Hartwell in Callicoon, NY and the seasonally open Vintage Bling just across the Callicoon Bridge in PA.

Setting the table with mismatched dishes looks charming and inviting when paired with a vintage eyelet and lace table cloth, random cutlery, embroidered tea towels and a mix of hand-painted and tinted glassware. The centerpiece can be anything from a bowl of fruit or gourds to an array of candles to a bouquet of freshly picked flowers. Be creative! Continued on page 18

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A painted floor is a great way to add new life to any room, especially the kitchen, where wear and tear is often at its utmost. Local artist Eva Drizhal painted this particular floor using Benjamin Moore paints from Callicoon Supply. After covering the floor in a neutral grey, she carefully chose colors from the Ben Moore historic line to correspond with the age of the ca. 1915 home. The whole shebang took less than a week to accomplish. When finished, Drizhal told the owner, “You can add character by nicking and scrapping it as much as you please.”

Bowls, bowls and more bowls; colanders, too, are not only practical but eye catching as well. Find nesting bowls and colanders of all shapes and sizes at your local Walmart and/or The Kitchen Center at the Knife Shop in Honesdale, PA. Store them in plain view on a useful cutting table on wheels or on the seat of a small primitive chair. While at the Kitchen Center, you can get all manner of knives and scissors sharpened.

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 17

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Continued from page 7

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Vintage appliances sometimes cost less and last longer than newly-made ones. This 1934 Magic Chef gas stove with its detailed shelf unit complete with an overhead light and working timer cost only $500. Of course, you have to light it with a match, and therefore a match box or two will also grace your kitchen. The sink is a 1928 American Standard. Check out A Picker’s Find in Honesdale, PA for all your retro appliances. If you don’t want to fuss with the old stuff, you can get a pretty close reproduction sink from any local Kohler dealer. Put a rag rug in front of the stove and sink for added comfort and coziness.

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Wall art is important when warming the kitchen. Consider hanging some vintage potholders (pictured), artwork by local artists, a country clock—particularly a cuckoo clock—something primitive or folksy, and/or some fancy copper molds, which are said to bring good luck to kitchens in general. 18 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

If you can’t find a vintage icebox or just don’t want to deal with defrosting, the right retro-style refrigerator magnets will give any fridge a homespun look. Find them at Milkweed in Honesdale, PA along with linen dish cloths, sugar-blossom candles and coaster sets.

Cast-iron door stops are common farmhouse accessories, especially in kitchens where doors need to be kept closed for a variety of reasons—like keeping the heat in and the children out. Cast doorstops come in many different shapes and characters including dogs, tea cups, court jesters, flat irons, hobby horses and antique cars. You can occasionally find them at local thrift shops like The Cat’s Pajamas in Honesdale, PA—and when you do, you’ll support The Dessin Animal Shelter with your purchase.

Rustic shelf units filled with classic staples and spices found at any one of our grocery stores remind us of childhood and home. Display your favorite condiments for a warm welcome in a cozy kitchen.

A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 19

Mixing color with Christi Johnson By RAMONA JAN On a stunningly beautiful early autumn day, I went inside The Outside Institute (www.theoutsideinstitute.org) for a workshop in natural botanical dye, where tostadas with refried beans, fresh radish salsa, chipotle crema and cotija cheese were served as a snack. There was green tea with a puree of fresh local peaches and another tea made with spicebush, a native tree, and Korean-style mocha, a mildly sweet glutinous rice ball stuffed with red bean paste, for dessert. Now about the workshop… Instructor Christi Johnson, a graduate of Otis College of Art, was born and raised in South Florida but now lives fulltime in Sullivan County. She designs home goods and clothing for her collection, Mixed Color (www.mixedcolor.net), which is composed primarily of naturally dyed one-of-a-kind and small-batch items that incorporate patchwork, hand embroidery, and crochet. While working in the clothing industry in Los Angeles, Johnson was in direct contact with harsh chemical dye processes and as a result became very uncomfortable with the impact of those practices on our environment and bodies. In changing her path within the industry, Johnson attended an Artist’s Residency at Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn to learn about natural dye practices. “At the Arts Center I was able to really understand and troubleshoot,” she recounted. “They have tons of other artists working, teaching and learning there, and during my time there we were really able to share experiences and compare notes, which were incredibly helpful.” Natural dyeing is basically a three step process: scouring, mordanting and dyeing. Surprisingly, it’s no messier than cooking, but may leave your kitchen in chaos depending on your style. If you’re looking for a unique way to transform fiber into one-of-a-kind home décor items such as table cloths, place mats, curtains, or even bedspreads, consider natural dyeing.

TRR photos by Ramona Jan

Christi Johnson of Mixed Color holds a vase of flowers that includes black-eyed Susans and Rudbeckia— ideal for botanical dyeing.

Continued on page 22

Laying out a design is up to each individual artist.

Goldenrod is not only a great source of pollen for bees; it’s also a terrific saffron colored dye, as shown in Johnson’s personal journal.

Continued on page 20

20 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

Once the flowers and leaves are placed on the fabric, it’s rolled, bundled and then steamed.

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 21

COLOR Continued from page 0

Here’s a broad overview of Johnson’s inspiring workshop as well as a few general tips from the botanical dye Goddess herself. 1. Prior to the actual dyeing process, scouring is the necessary machine washing and drying of all-natural fabrics in the hottest water possible using a “free and clear” pH-neutral detergent. This is done to prepare the fabric for dyeing. Up to 10 yards of fabric can be washed at a time. 2. Normally a chemically laden process, “mordant-ing” in this particular workshop involved potassium aluminum sulphate, a geological salt used in pickling and natural deodorants. According to Johnson, the aluminum crystals are too large to penetrate the skin and therefore non-toxic. “Fabric without a mordant will give pale colors that do not last as long,” advises Johnson. 3. In the actual dyeing process, the artist simply arranges a variety of botanicals including but not limited to flowers and leaves in whatever way he or she is inspired, and then tightly bundles the cloth with a cotton string. Once the cloth is wrapped, the bundle is steamed. When cool, the design is unveiled. Some of the best plants and parts of plants used for botanical dyeing include the tops and leaves of goldenrod for rich yellows and olives and the dark centers of Rudbeckia for blues and purples. Yarrow, Queen Anne’s lace and dandelion give soft yellows while self-heal and sweet violets create more blues and purples.

Near-perfect imprints of a variety of leaves and flowers are possible in botanical dying.

Tips from Johnson:

1. Natural dyes generally only work on natural fibers, particularly silk crepe, cotton poplin and wool. 2. It’s all an experiment! The same plant can produce a rainbow of colors depending on a number of factors such as time of year, humidity level, and water quality, so don’t expect scientifically precise results. 3. When using natural dyes to cover up stains, it’s best to create lots of patterns through methods like tie or bundle dye because the tannins in the original stain make the stain more obvious when a solid dye color is overlaid.

22 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 23

Creating unique memories Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals offers a simple solution for your event’s decorating needs By JOE COOKE If you’ve tried DIY decorating for a celebration, you know what happens. You go out, buy the necessary furniture and a cartload of stuff, use it for the event (and it was spectacular, of course), and then what? Right. You own extra furniture and a cartload of stuff. It goes in storage, or is given away or put on eBay (yeah, the four extra “HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY KEVIN AND BETTY” signs plus monogrammed puce napkins will totally sell fast), or it all merges with the rest of your things. Or… you can fi rst call Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals in Honesdale, PA. Tina Gelatt and Carol DeGraw rent it all. Furniture, china, flatware, floral decorations, an antique typewriter. “If you rent it,” says Carol, “you bring it all back. I wish we had this two years ago when my daughter got married.” Clearly, they’re onto something. Friends since high school, Tina and Carol started the business this January, after working on their daughters’ weddings. In 10 months, they’ve put together almost two dozen events and are booked for several more. You name it: they do baby showers, tea parties, holiday parties and of course weddings. “A lot of people have the venue,” says Tina, “but they don’t have the décor.” The Gelatts’ former horse barn is now their showroom, a smorgasbord of Victorian parlors, modern living room sets, dining rooms, a wall covered with chairs, farm tables set for 12. “It lets you see what it would look like,” Carol says. Next, what works best for your event? Tina and Carol sit you down to talk. “Are you country, vintage, shabby chic?” says Tina. “If we don’t have something, we’ll look for it. Really, we’re trying to help people get the look they want… there are certain pieces they really, really want and we focus on that.” It helps save money, too, which can be an issue in the Age of Bridezilla. “We really try to do the best we can for everyone,” Carol puts in. They each have their strengths. Both crafters and DIY-ers with a strong interest in vintage, Carol is the plant genius behind their simple arrangements, says Tina. “And Tina has an amazing eye for detail,” her friend adds.

Photos contributed by Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals

Carol DeGraw, left, and Tina Gelatt discuss an upcoming event at the Rustic Charm Vintage Rental showroom

Just hanging around: Chairs on display over a living room setting

Continued on page 26

24 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

Try something different. Nobody expects a chandelier in a tree.

Photos by PS Impressions, contributed to Rustic Charm

An arrangement of furniture and glassware suggests potential

A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 25

CHARM

Decorating for an event?

Continued from page 24

1. Pay attention to height and deďŹ nition. Don’t put your whole display on one level. 2. Use owers, ferns, anything natural. Check your backyard for ideas. 3. Use window frames. An old frame turns an object into a picture. 4. Spread the color out. Don’t have all the owers on one side. 5. Doilies are great! You can ďŹ nd old ones in thrift shops. Put them under an object to add deďŹ nition, or use on their own. They’re lovely on top of a contrasting color, so you can see the pattern. 6. Don’t limit yourself to obvious dĂŠcor items. We use an old radio, an old typewriter to add interest. Look around your house, see what you have. 7. Drawers are really useful. Open a top drawer, line it and ďŹ ll with owers. It’s a beautiful eect.

Here are some ps from Tina and Carol:

Rustic Charm really does radiate charm. Some of the furniture gets names: Winston the chair; Charles, Charlotte and Eloise are the sofas. Other pieces come with legacy. This relative opened his house to them, saying, “Take what you need!� That piece belonged to somebody’s great-grandmother. Who carefully crocheted the doilies? We’ll never know, but they would certainly approve that their work is still in use. It’s comforting, and makes a stressed client feel right at home. There is no attitude here, just a genuine caring. Another part of the magic behind Rustic Charm is the network of support, which mirrors their connection to the local community; they’ve already donated events at The Cooperage and Dorflinger Glass Museum. “We have had so much support: family, friends, the photographers at PS Impressions, [cake decorators] Sweet Sensations, Katharine at Fox Hill Farm. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them,� says Tina. Their kids help with social media, everyone helps move furniture to and from events. What does the future hold? More events, says Tina. They are trying to keep to a 50-mile radius of Honesdale. Maybe farm-to-table dinners? “We have all this space!� both say. Other possibilities: The furniture settings would be perfect for photo shoots, and it’s easy to imagine a high school senior picture taken here. Maybe use it for fi lming? There’s something of an indie fi lm community here. There’s a lot of potential. No matter the project or the event, though: “You might have a picture in your mind of what it’ll look like,� says Carol, “and we will do our best to make it happen. It will be beautiful.� Interested? Contact Rustic Charm Vintage Rentals on Facebook @RusticCharmRentals, online at rusticcharmvintagerentals.com or call 570/647-9529 Rustic Charm is holding an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 12 at the showroom, 47 Maple Ridge Trail, Honesdale. It’s a chance to explore the possibilities for your own event

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Come in and see Dennis, Raymond, Donald & Cathy

NC.

The River Reporter’s 22nd

Annual

THE BEST BALLOT IS ALL NEW!

We have revamped our ballot and it’s better than ever! We ask that you simply vote for the people, places or businesses that you think are the BEST. Thank you for your participation and we look forward to receiving your votes. If there is a category that we are missing, let us know! We will publish our 2017 WINNERS in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards “BEST” supplement in January 2018. Remember, you can always vote online at riverreporter.com/trr-best-2016

Food

Appetizers ______________________ Atmosphere _____________________ Authentic Meal ___________________ Bagels _________________________ Bakery _________________________ Bar ____________________________ Barbecue _______________________ Brisket _________________________ Beer Selection ___________________ Breakfast Bu΍et __________________ Breakfast Menu __________________ Brunch _________________________ Budget-friendly __________________ Burger Place ____________________ Burrito _________________________ Candy Shop _____________________ Cheese Steaks ___________________ Chicken Wings ___________________ Chinese Restaurant _______________ Co΍ee _________________________ Co΍ee Shop _____________________ Deli ___________________________ Desserts ________________________ Diner __________________________ Dinner _________________________ Dinner Specials __________________ Early Bird Specials ________________ Ethnic Cusine ____________________ Family Restaurant _________________ Fastest Take Out Service ____________ Fine Dining Restaurant _____________ French Fries _____________________ Fried Chicken ____________________ Friendliest Service ________________ Gourmet Restaurant _______________ Greek Restaurant _________________ Grocery Store /Supermarket ________ Happy Hour _____________________ Health Food Store ________________ Hoagie _________________________ Home Cooking Restaurant __________ Hot Dog ________________________ Ice Cream Shop __________________ Italian Restaurant _________________ Japanese Restaurant_______________ Latin Restaurant _________________ Local Winery ____________________ Locally-Sourced Menu _____________ Lunch __________________________ Martini _________________________ Menu __________________________ Mexican _______________________ Microbrewery ___________________ Most Romantic Restaurant _________ New Restaurant __________________ O΍ The Beaten Path _______________

Outdoor Dining __________________ Pasta Dish ______________________ Pizza ___________________________ Pizza Place ______________________ Place to Have a Cocktail ____________ Prime Rib _______________________ Ribs ___________________________ Romantic Restaurant ______________ Salad __________________________ Salad Bar _______________________ Sandwiches _____________________ Seafood ________________________ Soup __________________________ Sports Bar ______________________ Steakhouse______________________ Sushi __________________________ Wedding Cakes __________________ Wine Selection ___________________ Restaurant - Pike County ___________ Restaurant - Sullivan County _________ Restaurant - Wayne _______________

People & Places

55+ Active Adult Community _________ Accountant ______________________ Appliance Dealer _________________ Architect ________________________ Assisted Living Facility ______________ Attorney ________________________ Auction House/Service _____________ Auto Mechanic ___________________ Auto Painting Collision Repair________ Baker __________________________ Bank __________________________ Bank Teller ______________________ Barber Shop ____________________ Bartender _______________________ Bathroom Remodeler ______________ Best Place to Work Trucking/Transportation ___________________________ Builder/Developer ________________ Butcher ________________________ Cancer Center____________________ Car Salesman ____________________ Car Wash _______________________ Career Training Facility _____________ Carpenter _______________________ Carpet Cleaning __________________ Chef ___________________________ Child Care Provider _______________ Chiropractor _____________________ Christmas Tree Farm ______________ College _________________________ Computer Repair _________________ Contractor ______________________

2017 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Custom Cabinetry _________________ Customer Service _________________ Dance School ____________________ Day Care Center __________________ Day Spa ________________________ Dentist _________________________ Dermatologist ____________________ Doctor _________________________ Elder Care Facility _________________ Electrician_______________________ Emergency Room _________________ Emergency Services _______________ Excavator _______________________ Eye Care Center __________________ Family Practice ___________________ Financial Planner _________________ Fitness Center____________________ Flooring/Carpet Store______________ Friendly Sta΍ ____________________ Funeral Home ___________________ Furniture Store ___________________ Garbage & Junk Removal ___________ Garden Center/Nursery ____________ Green Business __________________ Hair Salon ______________________ Hardware Store __________________ Heating & Air Conditioning __________ Heating Fuel Company _____________ Holistic Practioner ________________ Home & Garden Store _____________ Home Builder ___________________ Home Renovation ________________ Hospital/ Medical Facility ___________ House Cleaning Service ____________ HVAC __________________________ Insurance Agency _________________ Interier Decorator _________________ Jewelry Watch/Clock Repair _________ Kid’s Camp ______________________ Kitchen & Bath Store _______________ Kitchen Designer/Remodeler ________ Landscaper______________________ Law Firm _______________________ Lawn & Garden Equipment _________ Lawyer _________________________ Massage Therapist ________________ Maternity Unit ___________________ Mattress Store ___________________ Modular Homes __________________ Mortgage Company _______________ Nail Salon ______________________ New Business of the Year ___________ Non-Proȴt Organization ____________ Oil Company ____________________ Painter _________________________ Pediatrician _____________________ Pest Control _____________________ Pet Boarding Kennel _______________ Pet Pampering ___________________ Pet Day Care _____________________ Pet Grooming ____________________ Pet Trainer ______________________ Pharmacy _______________________ Photographer ____________________ Plumber ________________________

Plumbing & Heating Supply _________ Politician _______________________ Pool Builder/Contractor ____________ Postmaster ______________________ PreSchool _______________________ Radio Personality _________________ Real Estate Agent _________________ Real Estate Company ______________ Real Estate Website _______________ Recycle & Transfer Station ___________ Rental Center ____________________ Roofer _________________________ Salvage Company _________________ Septic Service ____________________ Spa or Personal Pampering _________ Storage Center ___________________ Tattoo Parlor ____________________ Tax Preparation __________________ Teacher ________________________ Towing Service ___________________ Truck Center _____________________ Tuxedo Rentals ___________________ Veterinarian _____________________ Veterinarian Clinic ________________ Vocational Technical School _________ Well Driller ______________________ Women’s Health Center ____________ Yoga Studio _____________________ Yoga Teacher ____________________

Shopping

Antiques/Collectibles ______________ Auto Dealer Domestic ______________ Auto Dealer Pre-owned ____________ Baby/Kids Store __________________ Beer Distributor __________________ Boat/Marine Service ______________ Bookstore _______________________ Botique ________________________ Bridal Shop _____________________ Clothing Store Men _______________ Clothing Store Women _____________ Consignment Shop ________________ Craft Beer Selection _______________

Electronics ______________________ Farm Equipment Retailer ___________ Farmers Market __________________ Flea Market _____________________ Florist __________________________ Formal Wear ____________________ General Store ___________________ Gift Shop _______________________ Grocery Store ____________________ Home Décor _____________________ Jewelry Store ____________________ Knit Shop _______________________ Liquor Store _____________________ Locally-made products _____________ Lumberyard _____________________ Medical Equipment _______________ Motorcycle Shop _________________ Music Store _____________________ Musical Instrument Store ___________ Novelty Shop ____________________ Outdoor Recreational Vehicles _______ Party Supply Store ________________ Pet Store _______________________ Pet Supplies _____________________ Place to Buy Art __________________ Pottery Studio____________________ Produce Local ____________________ RV Sales/Service __________________ Shoe Store Local__________________ Ski Shop ________________________ Speciality Store ___________________ Tire Sales/Service _________________ Vintage Shop ____________________ Winery/Vineyard _________________

Community

Ambulance Squad ________________ Amusement/ Fun Park _____________ Animal Shelter ___________________ Art Gallery ______________________ Atmosphere _____________________ Bed & Breakfast __________________ Canoe Livery _____________________ Campground ____________________

Chamber of Commerce ____________ Chicken BBQ (Volunteer) ___________ Cider Mill _______________________ Civic Club or Organization ___________ Community Festival or Street Fair _____ Conference Center ________________ Day Trip ________________________ Fair ____________________________ Family Night Out__________________ Fire Department __________________ Golf Course _____________________ Historic Site _____________________ Horseback Riding _________________ Hotel __________________________ Library _________________________ Live Music Venue _________________ Artist ___________________________ Author _________________________ Celebrity ________________________ Farm___________________________ Getaway ________________________ Musician/Band __________________ Potter __________________________ Locally Produced Beer / Spirits ______ Locally Produced Cheese ___________ Locally Produced Maple Syrup _______ Meditation Center ________________ Movie Theatre ___________________ Museum________________________ Pancake Breakfast ________________ Parade _________________________ Penny Social _____________________ Place to Hold a Prom ______________ Place to Take out of town guests ______ Place to Take the kids ______________ Playhouse Theatre ________________ Post Oɝce ______________________ Private School____________________ Radio Station ____________________ Resort__________________________ Ski Lodge _______________________ Special Area Attraction _____________ Sullivan Renaissance Project_________ Wedding Reception Location ________ Youth Center ____________________

HOW TO VOTE: Pleast print clearly your choices for “THE BEST” from the categories listed. Best choices are limited to Delaware, Orange, Pike, Sullivan and Wayne counties. You may also VOTE ONLINE: http://riverreporter.com/trr-best-2016 HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Additional ballots are available at The River Reporter oɝce at 93 Erie Ave, Narrowsburg, NY. Ballots MUST be complete and include full name, address and phone number of voter. All ballots must be received by December 15, 2017. Employees of The River Reporter and Stuart Communications are permitted to vote but not eligible to win prizes. Entries that are late, damaged, illegible or missing voter’s name will not be eligible. One entry per person. Mechanically reprouced or Photocopied entries are not eligible. A business, organization or person may win no more than three (3) categories. Winners will be chosen based on the number of votes received by December 15th, 2017. HOW TO WIN PRIZES: All ballots will be included in a random drawing for prizes. Drawing will be held in January 2018. No duplicate winners. BEST Winners will be notiȴed in January 2018.

OFFICIAL "BEST" BALLOT ENTRY FORM 3/($6( 35,17 &/($5/< Name _________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________________________________

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E-mail_________________________________________________________________

PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO: 7KH 5LYHU 5HSRUWHU ³%(67´ PO Box 150, Narrowsburg, NY 12764

RU '523 2)) $7

93 Erie Avenue, Narrowsburg, NY 12764

A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 27

W E S T C H E S T E R

M O D U L A R

C U S T O M

C O L O N I A L

$295,000 ON YOUR LOT*

LUXURY LIVING AT ITS BEST Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths with beautiful 2-story entry, formal living and dining rooms and a spacious country kitchen. 䡵

Build Quickly & Efficiently with Modular

䡵

Price Includes All Architectural & Design Fees

䡵

Energy-Efficient Construction with High Insulation Values

Over 30 Years Experience, Specializing in New Construction, Teardown/Rebuilds & Additions *Special offer for Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster & Sussex Counties only. Some options shown in photo are not included in base price. Price includes home within 5 ft. of the foundation on your lot. Meet with our building team for more details.

642 International Blvd. Rock Tavern, NY

(845) 787-0400 WMHConstruction.com (Located by Stewart Airport off I-84, exit 5-A)

“Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2017 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

Visit our professionally decorated model — open Monday - Friday 9-5 or weekends by appointment. Take Exit 5-A off I-84 (near Stewart Airport). Turn right off exit ramp, model is 1/2 mile on right.

28 OUR COUNTRY HOME AUTUMN 2017/WINTER 2018

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