Sunday in the South End - Boston

So, today was the day I have been waiting for, for quite some time! I had read about the antique market in the South End of Boston months ago when I began collecting information for our trip. The market occurs every Sunday, running from May to October. Actually, it is more than an antique market.


It is officially called SoWa Sundays and includes fresh produce and art, as well as antiques and vintage treasure. There are antique dealers set up in a wonderful old building that once housed trolley cars. The space is huge and very clean and organized. Admission is free.

There are nice men around making sure everyone is having a good time..........oh wait, that is my husband, being the good sport that he always is! He enjoyed a trip once around the building, but then waited patiently while I went back to look at every detail....... again! (He just told me he hates this picture of him - says his hair is standing straight up and he looks like a dork. I told him that he is precious and the point is that he is such a good companion on these sorts of outings!)


You can see how huge this space is and it would be fun to see more dealers. Maybe when the economy improves, more dealers will be back - I have seen a decline in the Texas shows, too, unfortunately.
Outside are more dealers and artisans, as well as people selling flowers and herbs and freshly baked bread!

If you click on the above photo, you will see the most wonderful baskets of fresh produce - I loved the beets in the round basket!

I thought this booth had especially great looking items and snapped a few photos. If you would like to see more, though, go to www.bacio.us.

I wish I had taken a closer shot of these paper weights and journals - they are a little reminiscent of John Derian's work, but unique in their own way, too.

Tons and tons of gorgeous flowers and plants - made me wish I was closer to home so I could take some with me!

It was a mild, sunny day and not crowded at all - perfect for browsing. After the market, we headed down the street to another place I have been anxiously wanting to visit for quite some time...........

................the wonderful home furnishings and design store, Hudson. I have read about it more than once in design magazines and have the website bookmarked on my computer, but there is nothing like getting to visit the real deal! I had such a nice visit with Lyndsay, the manager, and of course, had several favorite things I had to photograph while I was there. Hey, there's that sweet guy again. Glad he found a good spot to read!


These pillows are crafted by the talented duo of John Ross and Don Carney of Patch NYC. You should definitely click over to their website for a real treat. I think it is one of the most fun and interesting websites I have ever seen!

They also make jewelry out of vintage charms and chains and I had a hard time deciding which one to take home . Of course, the display styling at Hudson didn't hurt - these bracelets are layered atop vintage ephemera under a glass display cover - very, very charming.

Wonderful Swedish desk and an assortment of frames, candles, books, shells, and more great jewelry from Patch NYC.

More........and great rug samples from Dash and Albert.

I wanted to throw out all my furniture and start over with this coffee table and the wonderful spool arm chair - click for a close up!

I am crazy about the wall covered in old photographs and letters. I may just copy this idea somewhere at home. Love it. There is that case with the great bracelets and necklaces again!

What else can I say - I know it is redundant to just keep saying I love it, so I will let the photos speak for themselves.............

I think I will have to visit Hudson again before we leave. There is just a ton of personality packed into this small and charming space.

Too cute - "Aunt Sadie" was the aunt of one of the owners - yes, really. Isn't it a great name for a shop? When we happened upon Aunt Sadie's, I knew we had to take a peek inside. So much color and whimsey - so many sweet gifts and great, great display! Even my sweet man commented on the display here!

While they have all kinds of fun merchandise, apparently they are known for their candles. Check their website for more information. I, of course, was totally distracted by the lighthearted merchandise and the goodies tucked into every nook and cranny here.



My husband and I both were crazy for this old "Guests" sign. Wouldn't it be so fun to have at home?

Next along the way we visited the lovely shared space of Vessels and Michelle Willey. Vessels, owned by Robbie Tunnard, is a small gallery in the back of the shop. Visiting with Robbie, one can tell she truly loves the art she showcases.

The gallery exhibits very unusual and special pottery pieces. Above is the window display for Vessels.................

and here the display window for Michelle Willey.

I particularly liked these wonderful pillows - some blue and white ticking , some made from old grain sacks (very in these days!) and iron day bed. A collection of archival quality images of mazes and labyrinths from the Middle Ages hangs above, giving ancient designs a modern look.

LOVE this big steel table - wouldn't it be so great in a kitchen! Michele carries a variety of beautiful home goods and you can read more detail on her website here.


Vessels exhibits pottery by artists from the United States, Europe and Asia, showing both new and established ceramicists.

These were my favorite pieces, hand made by Joan Walton.

For more information and a view of many more beautiful works of art, visit Vessels Gallery here.

I love how the galleries and shops in the South End have taken the old buildings and adapted them to fit their needs in such a classic and yet, such a fresh, contemporary way. The neighborhood was a true delight to discover today.

More great window displays - I think I need to go back to the South End again before heading back to Texas!

Sorry for the reflection - I got a little camera happy, and wanted to share these even though they are not very good photos. I was just having so much fun!

We had a great lunch at the South End Buttery and wandered on down the street to admire the beautiful old architecture.

Wandering down Union Park we admired the rows of beautiful old brick houses and lovely landscaping.

So, I mentioned a few days ago that we are in Boston for my husband to study. I plan to hit all of the museums, as well as design and art related sites for my study, but if I have some extra time, I was thinking of taking a class.......hhmmmm..........this one sounds interesting! This was actually not in the South End, but further on into another part of town..........we walked a lot today, a whole lot, so........... on second thought, I think my legs are too tired from walking today for this particular class! Oh well, maybe next time!

We ended the day with a walk through the Boston Common and a look at the famous Swan boats.

What an amazing day, and probably the longest post I have ever done. If you are still with me, thanks for reading and I hope you got some vicarious pleasure from my wonderful day!

Blogging My Way through Boston

Poking around Cambridge yesterday, I had to take a peek in Paper Source on Massachusetts Avenue. It is a wonderful shop with locations around the country. It doesn't feel like a chain store, though. Had I not known, I would have thought I had stumbled upon the coolest neighborhood small business ever!

These are the kinds of shops that make me want to have a party just so I can buy some of the clever , well designed invitations. Journaling is another thing that suddenly becomes attractive when I look at beautiful blank books.


The window display is enough to draw one inside - not only the promise of a sale, but the giant sunflowers are just plain fun!

Custom design anything you can think of - any color, any shape, any font, you name it - it can be found or designed here!

Who can't spend hours reading all the great greeting cards that are produced these days. I love finding the perfect card for a friend and stashing it for that perfect time!

Paper flowers, garlands, wreaths - file folders in gorgeous prints, stickers, all tempting!! Click for more detail.
Tons and tons of papers, stamping supplies, custom as well as ready to go invitations, cards, wrapping papers, stationery, the list is endless. Loved my visit to Paper Source!!




Oh well, you aren't really surprised that I would come all the way to Boston and find the best shop ever with Mexican, Indian and Moroccan imports! Nomad, (whose owner, Deb, as well as the others who work in the shop, was especially friendly), was a wonderful treat and fed my love for all things Mexican, colorful and intriguing.


Nomad has a collection of amazing textiles, including a wonderful collection of new and vintage ralli quilts. Ralli quilts are made in the area of Sindh, Pakistan and western India. (Read more about them on the Nomad website) I love the vintage ones for their softness and faded fabrics and threads, but many of the new ones are made with just the same care and detail.

Great Day of the Dead objects and of course, lots of saints of all varieties!

Taking a peek downstairs where there is more treasure to be found!

Of course, my favorite Mexican pottery made by Gorky Gonzales, made me feel quite at home here!

The glassware was beautiful with the sunlight shining through.

Pretty much anything ethnic, handmade and colorful can be found at Nomad. I do not think this was my only visit . Should I feel a little homesick during my stay here, a trip back to Nomad and I am sure I will feel right at home!

Hill Country Girl Goes to Boston

I have the good fortune to be spending a few weeks in Boston with my husband. He will be studying at Harvard. I will be studying, of course, all museums, art galleries, antique shops, and anything design or art related!


After getting tips from good friends, Carolyn and Nikki, of red fame, reviewing the guide to Boston by Design*Sponge, and getting a few ideas from blogging buddy, Michele, at My Notting Hill, I am ready to discover every unique, interesting shopping and dining establishment in the city!

Sunday evening, tired and hungry from traveling, we let go of "unique and interesting", and walked around the corner to Legal Seafoods. Although a chain restaurant, it was just what we needed. Friendly service, great seafood, and a short walk back to the hotel for a much needed night's rest.

Photos so far are taken with my iPhone, so pardon the marginal quality. I liked the fish sculpture outside of Legal Seafoods.

We are staying in Cambridge, so Monday I set out to Harvard Square and a few shops recommended by Carolyn and Nikki.

Black Ink did not disappoint. Although a small space, it is chock full of goods from floor to ceiling. It was hard to take it all in at one time.

Home accessories, lovely glassware, dogs toys, wonderful books and gift items, lots of whimsey..........the list is endless.

I loved all of these gorgeous papers. I think it is such fun to see all the different colors and patterns hanging together, almost like fabric swatches!

How about these cool bins for all sorts of organizing. I would have loved to have had them when we had piles of toys in the family room. They would be great, now, in a playroom or office - maybe good for fabric swatch storage - the possibilities are endless.

I would recommend Black Ink to anyone who is looking for that special something - a gift or item you don't even know you need until you see it!! What a treasure trove packed into a small space - beautifully styled and fun to explore!

My lunch stop was pure serendipity, and it was wonderful.

Cafe Crema is easy to approach - ordering at the counter and friendly service are part of the casual style and the food is amazingly good! I am not usually one who take pictures of food - I wouldn't call myself a foodie and have never posted about recipes or the like. However, I always appreciate great meals, and this was the most delicious sandwich I have ever eaten - honestly!

Thick slices of avocado, slices of sweet potato, granny smith apples , sprouts, and some magical vinaigrette dressing on toasted wheat bread - I can't even believe I have posted a photo of a sandwich on my blog - it was just so good!!

Didn't get as many shots that first day as I would have liked. I walked a long, long way so that I could see as much as possible on my first day out. So, here is the pharmacy where I bought the band-aids I needed for the new blisters on my feet! You can see, though, the charm of the village like atmosphere in this area. I look forward to more tomorrow, in my comfy walking shoes!!

Abby's Guesthouse- Fresh Hill Country Style!

My dear friend, Carolyn, who also happens to be the manager of the hip home furnishings shop red, has had a guest house on her property for years. In fact, several of my friends stayed in the charming spot before Carolyn and I even became friends!





It is a favorite of many, who come back year after year to stay in the quaint house,walk to Main street, and then, when they have had about all of the Texas heat they can handle for the day, head back for a refreshing dip in the pool!



Over the years, Abby's has taken on different looks. From the vintage "Homestead" look it was when we first moved to Fredericksburg, to it's colorful,vibrant style when it was shot for Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine several years back, Abby's consistently remains a cozy spot for hill country visitors.
Today Abby's is a quiet blend of Mediterranean Provence, the soft blues reminiscent of faded blue shutters and ocean waters. Of course, there is a uniqueness that only Carolyn can create - bottle collections, old letters strung along the head of the four poster bed, and sea shells hanging on a lampshade.
Carolyn's experience as a stylist for Homestead and as buyer and manager of red are evident in every nook and cranny when you visit Abby's.

Go here for the website for Abby's and visit our local reservation service here.

Fresh Fredericksburg Style with History

Fred and Enid Collins - Lara Collins Bobo and husband, Tim
Photos from Enid

I was so excited today when I read Courtney's Inside the Loop story about Tim and Lara Bobo's house in Fredericksburg. They are a local young couple who have combined their talents, both in
their home as well as in their businesses. Lara's grandmother Enid Collins, is famous for the jeweled box bags of the sixties.

I wanted to sort of "tag on" to Courtney's post as I am always excited when fresh talent emerges in our town. Also, their home is more contemporary than most I have featured, with the exception of Jon and Marilee's house, posted a few days ago.

Here is the story of enid, the creation of Tim and Lara today, taken from Lara's website:

When World War II came to an end, Fred and Enid Collins moved to Medina, TX with every intention of becoming ranchers. To the benefit of all who appreciate great style and artistry, the ranching business proved a struggle, and the couple turned to their artistic talents for their livelihood. The team began producing leather handbags with hand sculpted brass ornaments. Their first big client was none other than Neiman Marcus. They named their line Collins of Texas, and in time turned out all sorts of amazingly creative totes and handbags.

Decades later, Lara Collins Bobo, the Collins' granddaughter, teams up with husband Tim Bobo to open a shop featuring lines as creative and unique as Fred and Enid's. Every aspect of Enid is inspired by its namesake, Enid Collins, and her whimsical, colorful, and completely original design style. Also, Enid was known for her constant efforts to support the starving artists, evidenced in the eclectic art collection she left behind. With this in mind, Lara and Tim fill their shop with well designed pieces from lesser known artists/craftsmen/designers, including their own collections of handmade furniture and jewelry.

The shop itself is located in the quaint German town of Fredericksburg, TX, known for it's great shopping, local artists and craftsmen, peaches, pecans, and vineyards. Stepping into the Enid shop is guaranteed to be an unique experience. You will usually find Tim or Lara on site, willing to help inspire your creativity in decorating your home, picking out the perfect thoughtful gift, or to find that perfect accessory to enhance your lifestyle.



Courtney was kind enough to let me snag a few photos of the Bobo house to share here. For the full scoop, visit here. The bathroom is wonderful with the blue glass subway tile, the vintage tub, and the built in sink console, built by Tim. I love the mix of old and new.


The poured concrete floor is beautiful with the blue cabinetry, and I couldn't even believe the wishbone chairs belonged to Lara's grandmother - how cool is that! Tim and Lara are not only creative but productive. Tim has his own company, t. bobo , and builds custom tables that are great looking and quite substantial.

To learn more about this creative couple and their shop, visit enid or better yet, visit Fredericksburg, Texas in the beautiful Texas hill country.

Things That Inspire visits Marston Luce - Color me green with envy!

My blogging pal over at Things That Inspire (www.freshpalette.blogspot.com)was kind enough to comment on my post about Marston Luce, the wonderful shop owner in Washington, D.C. whose style I posted on a few days ago. She even shot a quick photo with her iPhone and sent it to me. Here is what she said:

Last week, while I was in DC, I visited Marston Luce's store in Georgetown, not even realizing that it ML was featured in Southern Accents this month (although I had just read the Southern Accents cover to cover on the airplane up to DC). The issue was on the desk, and I pointed it out to my sister and said there were a lot of great articles. The shopkeeper made the connection for me!

What a beautiful store. Last week they had THE most incredible Swedish settee in the window - I have a picture if you would like for me to email it to you. They also had some lovely Mora clocks and a gorgeous old Danish chair, among other things.

Oh how jealous I am!! What a treat. Check out the website if you aren't one of the lucky ones going to D.C. anytime soon.

"Let Jon do his thing"

We are all guilty of it in one form or another. Making quick judgements based on first impressions is a fault of human nature. While I love the work of my favorite architect, Jon Pankratz, when he designed and built his own house, like so many times when we judge too quickly, I did not understand it. It was definitely not love at first sight for me.


It's not my house, though, and I am sure he really didn't care if I fell in love with his house! The house is home to Jon and his wife, Marilee, and to hear the story of how it came to be is endearing and fascinating.....AND like so many times in life, once you get to know someone or someplace, your perception can change dramatically.

I asked Jon to tell me about his house - how he chose the style and why it sits as it does on piers on the side of a hill. Here is how our conversation went:

Tell me about the site and how you chose to place the house as you did.

We sat on the site for three years (Mar in a hammock) and I slowly began to realize a structure that responded to the site conditions - I wanted it to sit on the ground like a butterfly sits on a flower - lightly - so the piers raising the floor off the ground did this for us - minimal site impact. The plan of the house was totally dictated by the site and how we chose to live in the spaces. The site slopes 16 feet from the front of the carport to the bottom earth under the deck/dining/living areas.

Why did you choose to design something so very contemporary, rather than a modern, yet still traditional house, like you design for clients?

Well, to tell you the truth, my lovely wife gave me full range on this one. Marilee tells a story that when our dear friend, Frank Welch, heard we were planning to build a house, he told her "Marilee, just let Jon do his own thing". I am truly a modernist at heart and had a great teacher in Frank. I love designing the others, but not like the ones I seldom get to do - MODERN. A big influence in my current practice is Glenn Murcutt, an Australian architect. He also touches the earth very lightly in his projects.


Note: If you want to know more about Jon's inspiration, do a Google search on Glenn Marcutt. I couldn't begin to do justice to this amazing architect. There is a ton of information that is so interesting!

Your furnishings are very minimal, but I know from visiting, very comfortable. Tell me about those woven chairs.

They are Aalto Pension chairs from the Dallas Design Center.

And the collection of art in the entry hall?

The collection on the wall is by Sam Gummelt from Dallas. The long vertical painting is also by Sam and the small work in the square black frame is by Geoffrey Lardiere.

Aalto Pension chairs and view of front door and entry hall

Small sitting area accessed by living room. There are benches on either side of the fireplace for a quiet spot to read or enjoy the view.

What about your sofa? You obviously chose with a very careful eye.

Our sofa is an Albert sectional leather sofa from Design Within Reach.

Talk to me about your inspiration for the kitchen and the materials used.

The cabinets are BC grade yellow pine plywood and the cabinet doors are MDF (medium density fiberboard) . The counter tops are concrete and the back splash is India slate. My inspiration was to meet a budget. All of these materials are inexpensive and give a great and different look.

What a peaceful bedroom with an incredible view of the hills and woods. What about this furniture?

The bed is from the Zola Collection at Design Within Reach. The floating side tables are by Rex White, an amazing craftsman here in Fredericksburg.



When I finished my conversation with Jon, I had a new perspective on his house. He designed from his heart, he built what he wanted to build, regardless of how conventional many are. He designed a unique home for himself and his sweet wife, and it fits them perfectly.

I must say, as much as I love all of my collections, textiles, art and books.......the list goes on - there is a tranquil feeling upon entering Jon and Marilee's home, and it is a welcome rest for the visitor. Their careful and focused choice of furnishings reflect their personalities. They have great taste and each piece is special and meaningful to them. I love their new house and all that I have learned about it! Thank you, Jon.

I did a little research on Glenn Murcutt and his design philosophy and work are fascinating. Here is an excerpt from the NY Times that I believe captures what Jon admires about this architect.

What all of Murcutt’s work shares is a conception of architecture as minimal intervention, yielding buildings so efficient, and so deft in their design, that they hardly feel like buildings at all, though they provide all the comforts of more conventional edifices. At their best, they’re as controlled and powerful as a sonnet: dozens of considerations seem to click neatly into place, yielding a single, surprisingly simple structure.

I love that. I think it describes the Pankratz home completely and only wish I had penned it myself!