What a lovely change of pace it was to be with my family for the holiday this week. Because our extended family represents a cornucopia of faith traditions, Thanksgiving was the one holiday we shared, and so - despite its complicated legacy - it has been one I have always treasured. It was a beautiful, sunny weekend in Rhode Island and I got to reflect on all the blessings I have. Those of course include my vibrant community represented here, and my trusting clients and cherished team.
Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing and a style item that I think are special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!
1] Handpicked: INTERIOR
Casagrande Studio is a local Boston-based interior design group that loves whimsical prints and bold splashes of color. I have a particular client now who loves high gloss lacquer in vibrant colors, so it's always fun to see the bold choices other designers make. Particularly around the holidays I'm drawn to more saturated hues that reflect candlelight and firelight.
What do you think? How do you feel about this much color and pattern?
2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE
While visiting my family in Rhode Island over the holiday this week, I got to tour the exhibit "Ghost Houses" put up by the Barrington Preservation Society. It identified and showcased many historical homes that had burned down or had been demolished; all that remains are the "ghosts" of their legacy, including photos, blueprints and historic mentions. So many (one is shown below) were stunning examples of Victorian architecture - I was so sad so many have been lost.
So when I saw this beauty in Newton, I had to feature it! Don't miss the pressed leather walls in the dining room!
What I love about historic houses is that not only are they inherently full of meticulously crafted details, but they also are sharing their past stories. If I look at the photo from "Ghost Houses" - who were those people? What were they doing (and why were they photographed)? Of course there is often history that is painful and abhorrent that goes along with architecture too; to me these complexities are recorded in the patina of these homes.
3) Handpicked: STYLE
If you haven't seen mirrors and trim by Fleur Home, run don't walk. We found them when sourcing an ornate - but specifically sized - mirror for a client in Concord. When we couldn't find the right dimensions, we purchased molding/trim from Fleur and built it ourselves!
What a joyful way to add whimsy (and color) to a space!
That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!
X Isabella