I'm back. All settled and deeply into an exploration of the Hudson Valley.
There's always something to see or do here, and we've already met some great new people.
We're loving it here.
I feel so lucky.
Let's get right to it, shall we?
We visited a beautiful store this weekend:
High Falls Mercantile, in High Falls, NY.
The store was founded in 2004 by Larry Ruhl and Jeff Serouya, who left city life in Manhattan to re-locate in the Hudson Valley.
They also have a great Facebook page that keeps you up to date on what's going on there.
We arrived early on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, and were greeted by Neil, who asked me right away if I wanted some coffee -- which he got next door at a coffee shop. Love that Neil.
The wonderful scents that also meet you at the door are from the store's apothecary section, which is arranged with as much care and attention to detail as every other corner in the store.
(Click on the photos to get right in there.)
The books of birds and botanical prints are stand-outs.
Custom handmade pillows in gorgeous fabrics.
A love for symmetry and rich color are just a couple of the duo's design trademarks.
Both do interior and furniture design.
Very carefully chosen vintage pottery and tools presented as functional art.
Enchanting Ayumi Horie Pottery, a Hudson Valley potter. Each piece offers something unique and only gets more interesting and beautiful the longer you look at it.
Don't miss Larry's gorgeous garden out back. Like the store, the attention to detail resulting in casual beauty is stunning.
HFM offers vintage maps, paintings, furniture, industrial salvage, glassware, rugs -- mixed with new and handmade jewelry, candles, pillows, prints, linens, and much more. And best of all -- a great ambience and wonderful customer service.
We'll be back.
Oh! I have to tell you about these. They're for sale here, too. The Esopus is a twice-yearly magazine that includes artists’ projects, critical writing, fiction, poetry, visual essays, interviews, and, in each issue, a themed CD of new music. I walked away with a couple. It's like having an amazing art gallery at your fingertips. I'm only about 5 pages in, and my socks are off.
