Hudson on Hudson

The small town of Hudson, NY has a great reputation among designers and antique dealers as a destination and treasure trove. Yesterday I got a chance to see for myself! Named after Henry Hudson, it is a small town, right on the Hudson river, a few miles north of Poughkeepsie, NY.
While my family skied at nearby Catamount, I grabbed my camera and walking shoes, bundled up and hit the road. Four hours of uninterrupted store hopping and town walking? Just perfect!


Although it was a snowy day I delighted in walking briskly along small streets, lined with fabulous design and gourmet stores like pearls on a string.



Truth be told I managed only a few blocks. There was so much to see and to take in, I took notes, pictures and was enchanted!
The town has an interesting charm. High design, small cafes, but also derelict Victorian beauties, lost yards and run down streets.


Of course all was only enhanced by the cold and the snow. I do like this mixture - old, new, restored and original.
Hudson on Hudson boosts the oldest functioning opera house in New York State. It's not an Opera at all but a multi- functional space, used for a wide array of performances and events. It certainly looks stately among the small townhouses around.

I quote wikipedia:

"For nearly thirty years it sat vacant, decaying and accumulating debris. When the Opera House was threatened with further decay and possible eventual demolition, local citizens banded together to save the building. In 1992, Hudson Opera House, Inc., was formed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring the building both physically and to its position as a cultural and civic center.

"

What great spirit!

The program looks interesting and I can feel how culture plays a major role among Hudson's citizens and visitors.

The first shop I came across in my random wanderings was Lili and Loo! Located on Warren Street, it is a small house from the outside but oh, what lies behind these doors: A multi level space with gorgeous furniture, accessories and some clothing.
















After a good 30 minutes I was ready for more. Just a few steps across the street sits the Hudson SuperMarket Antiques and Art!
I wish super markets around here would carry such itms....

After this it was time for a small break at Verdigris, a tea shop, bakery cafe and inn!

Delicious to say the least!

I liked the displayed pottery by Liz Hamann.


A few more quick looks around Warren Street and I had to leave, picking up my exhausted family from their many runs....



I would love this as a studio space for me!

Below: Hudson Home!Beautiful!

Now, I will be back in Hudson,NY next Sunday, since my family is really into skiing this season! If anyone cares to join me...I will explore the rest of town!


xx Victoria



All pictures V.Zlotkowski

Tickled pink?

Yesterday color authority Pantone announced it's color of the year 2011 to be an immense pink called "honeysuckle". The company predicts that we will see a lot of this color, appearing on everything from dresses to pillows, nail polish, sofas and appliances.

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Top image and this here.


A sherbety shade of pink, with a hint of red and orange zest, honeysuckle is seen by designers as a pick -me-up at a time when many people have had their fill of misfortune.
I quoted based on an article from yesterday's Wall Street Journal.

Jonathan Adler.

Harlequin Wallpaper.

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JA tray.

via Country living.

Interestingly enough many people do not necessarily associate honeysuckle with the color pink. The bush which grows on the corner of my deck blooms in a lovely shade of yellow....Apparently people associate the color with what they know from their childhood....Perhaps the honeysuckle you knew then was pink?

via google image.

Pink has been on the radar of many designers for a couple of years now and I guess the announcement to make it the color of the year 2011 culminates in it's final arrival at the mainstream households. I still remember the pink polo shirts I gave my husband and son two years ago and seeing my then 8 year old son being a little taken aback at first. Girly pink for him? But he eventually wore the shirt for many month and does now not object to pink in his wardrobe any more then to navy blue!

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I love pink as much as many other colors, my house is filled with reds and green, turquoise and blues and surely it will find it's way into it as accent on plates, pillows and outfits.
It's a summer color, reminding me of raspberries, little girl's dresses and lemonade.

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There is a sense of care free life when looking at pink. I am sure it made it's way into our current fashion for those reasons as well.

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To see on the bright side, away from worries and unemployment which must surely show itself in dull browns and muddy grays...
It's a good thing to celebrate life when the going is tough and to surround ourselves with an uplifting shade of pink is a wonderful way of maintaining optimism and a youthful spirit.
My dish washing will be stylish at last!!!

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Are you tickled pink yet?


xx
Victoria


Images as indicated.