Old New England Cemetery: Burial Hill

Posted on | October 29, 2009 | 11 Comments

In honor of Halloween I took some photos of Old Burial Hill in Marblehead. The cemetery established in 1638 is one of the oldest graveyards in New England. Headstones are perched high above the colonial village with views of the nearby ocean. Six hundred revolutionary war heroes as well as notable Marblehead families are buried here. The headstones vary many displaying skulls and angels with wings. The winged skull was popularized by the puritans and is one of the oldest styles of gravestone markings. The scrolling lines and imagery are beautiful examples of art from the 17th and 18th century. Below just a few of my favorites.

p.s. in the october issue of Martha Stewart Living there is an article about New England graveyards. Check it on the writer’s site.

Category: marblehead

Great English Outdoors: Plaid Heaven

Posted on | October 28, 2009 | 8 Comments

Chelsea posted about the Great English Outdoors shop today on her blog. She gave me a shout out because she knows how much I love plaid and anything english. The shop looks magical and cozy. Check out their amazing selection of vintage and new welsh blankets below.

I really want to take a trip to England, Wales, and Scotland in the spring. I would love to see the architecture, check out antique stores, and hopefully discover some beautiful textiles. Someday soon I hope I can open a store stateside filled with homey wares and textiles. Really it will happen because Greg is getting tired of me talking about my someday store rather then doing it. If you know any great english style resources feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment below.

(discovered via {frolic!} via Han Picked)

welsh blankets
welsh plaid_blankets

Category: blankets & throws, textiles

Shaker Side Tables

Posted on | October 28, 2009 | 5 Comments

I had my linen sent out for a tufted headboard for my bedroom. I need to start thinking about nightstands instead of pretty coverlets. Right now, our bed is on the floor with nothing but a digital alarm clock by our side, classy. I can’t wait for the room to get renovated. I’m tired of living like a college kid. It’s just plain embarrassing.

I’ve been cruising craigslist for weeks looking for affordable nightstands. The legs are never quite right—always too bulky and 80’s. I really like shaker style furniture and think it fits the overall feel of my house. The above side tables are available as a kits (or finished) from Shaker Workshops. The Shaker Candle Stand on the left goes for $130 and the Enfield Shaker Side table for $270. Totally affordable. The kit includes sand paper, stain, and other tools to help you put the piece together. Maybe I could get the Candle Stand to try it out? Check out more furniture styles available including chairs, beds, and accessories: shakerworshop.com.

Category: furniture

Green and Red Suzani Coverlet

Posted on | October 28, 2009 | 8 Comments

Last night I spotted this suzani coverlet on uzbek-craft.com. I love the green with the red accents. Maybe for my bedroom? Is it too much pattern? Images of the coverlet folded up at the bottom of my bed appeared in my dreams all night. If I love something this much I should just buy it, right?

I have two sides of my decorating personality: rustic/minimal vs. floral patterns covering every inch. I need to find a way for these too styles to reconcile. Colorful floral textiles are like crack that make me forget all my plans and click “buy it now” without even a thinking twice of the consciousness. Check out more suzani pillows and coverlets on uzbek-craft.com.

Category: textiles

Striped Wool Blankets & Ticking Stripe Linens

Posted on | October 27, 2009 | 6 Comments

Beautiful wool blankets ($185) and ticking stripe tablecloths ($70) from Brook Farm General Store are irresistible. Muted shades mix well with modern and traditional interiors. I’m pretty in love with the wool blankets. I think I’ve replaced my pillow obsession with blankets and throws. Check out more finds at brookfarmgeneralstore.com.

tournetablecloth51 Striped Wool Blankets & Ticking Stripe Linens

Category: blankets & throws, tabletop, textiles

Golden Seagrass In The Fall

Posted on | October 26, 2009 | 5 Comments

A few more photos from my Sunday afternoon in New England. Along the northern coast of Massachusetts are beautiful inlets you can hike and drive around. As the leaves on the shores turn vibrant reds the seagrass in the marshes turn into a sea of gold. It’s one my favorite things to see in the fall. The shots above and below where taken in Ipswich. The glow of the grass is unreal. It seriously looks like this in the afternoon…no photoshop tricks. The texture of the grass reminds me of a lion’s mane. Check out the location on google maps to investigate the inlets.

Category: boston and metro, travel

Picking Apples & Eating Cider Doughnuts At Russell Orchards

Posted on | October 26, 2009 | 2 Comments

Yesterday was a perfect sunday. Greg and I took full advantage of the gorgeous fall weather and went apple picking at Russell Orchards in Ipswich, MA. The sweet smell of apples lingered in the air as we wandered through orchards picking galas and cortlands. Before we left we grabbed a bag of a 1/2 dozen apple cider doughnuts which we promptly opened and devoured on the car ride home. Hot, moist, and cinnamony…heaven. Find my recipe for making apple cider donuts at home here. Read more about Russell Orchards in the recent issue of edible boston here.