Monday, October 31, 2011

Ripples in Essex, NY

This week I am welcoming to the Pink Pig web site, guest blogger Linda Coffin. She has an interesting and varied background that colors her perspective. Prior incarnations include, equestrian, theater, launching a wholesale manufacturing company to the furniture  trade in High Point, North Carolina of her own designs, experience in restoration, preservation and love of Historic Architecture, and animal welfare campaigner. Moving to Montreal with her French speaking Mother as a child, she said, she was a little scared but excited at the prospect of Igloo living. Instead she found a vibrant city which, she says, touched a very responsive chord within cultivating a love for art, style and urban landscapes. Summers were spent in the Adirondacks -first as a camper and then Counselor at local storied Camp Poko-O-Moonshine, and with her family on Big Wolf Lake. So read along with us as she treats us with her take on…the fine art of Essex living with a side dish of, “a little bit of everything.” Welcome to “Horse-Feathers”, by my friend, Linda Coffin
 
As an Essex resident I am excited about the local presence of the Pink Pig Boutique.  It's a game changer.  Most scramble to exit this neck of the woods after the Autumnal Equinox. Like frenzied little mice trying to escape a rain barrel. And until The Essex Inn on Lake Champlain received a no holds barred face-lift and the Pink-Pig hung it's shingle, pretty much the only folks who stopped in Essex , "out of season" , were those unfortunates caught in that dirty little seat-belt and stop-sign trap instituted a few years ago.
Hundred bucks minimum for not having the seat belt buckled or only slowing to a crawl at the stop sign before turning  right out of town and straight out of Essex.  Mind you the stop sign is virtually twenty-two yards from the Ferry parking lot so most folks didn't stand a chance with the seat belt thing or the crawling stop because they are anxious to cover the 15 miles to the Northway on Ramp- so they can get to Montreal or NYC before nothing keeps happening.  
If I sound a little bitter I am. One day I was headed to the dump a - half mile up the hill - seat belt unclipped - as I was jumping out momentito and also did not want to restrict my arm since it is attached to my hand that held a piping hot coffee and since no one was around I turned up the hill from a "crawling stop".  Adjudicated down to court costs thanks in part to my friendly neighbor and magistrate. (That's why I know the fee schedule)
I am a happy citizen to report that this unsavory practice is now abandoned as the gun-ho rookies slunk back Down-State where night-clubs exist.  But still beware racing down Rt. 22 in a hot hurry to catch the Ferry as there is ALWAYS a stake-out waiting as soon as you see the 35mph limit sign.
Keep going and you T-Intersect with the Main Street of Essex and Lake Champlain, where the Adirondack Park becomes known locally as the Banana Coast. That's because though we are not far from Lake Placid, we experience a significant drop in altitude with a co-morbid rise in mean temperature. It's kinda a joke since nobody can really grow any banana trees here so far yet. (But haven't confirmed with Essex Farm lately)  www.gardenshare.org
Turn left and you are almost at the Ferry, BUT just before you arrive - there it is....an eight foot high by two-foot wide black and white sandwich board in it's own parking space proclaiming...COFFEE!   AAAAAbsolutely FAAAAAbulous!  That slows the rubber on the road and then you see these colossal 18th ct. display windows and you can't tear your eyes away.  It's the store front of the Pink Pig Boutique housed in an early 1800's gray stone Emporium.
Greeting one upon entering is a large silver urn of hot coffee and on a round, cloth-covered table with dainty doilies and napkins -  homemade pumpkin cookies.  Courtesy of Debbie's old school Italian mother. (sometimes it's banana or zucchini bread - from scratch she explains to me - practically does her own  threshing...'nuff said?).
But it's those gi-normous display windows, luminous eyes that sparkle and wink and change with the season, that pull you to the sidewalk transfixed.  Right now, but at the end of it's lease on life, is a Fall and Halloween Vignette. Precious, little, tear-drop headed ghosts suspended from pink ribbons dressed in translucent fabric with rose tulle scarves smile down on the drop-dead gorgeous Alaskan inspired Hooded Parka featured front and center. Gee those ghouls put a spell on me and made me purchase it - you could plausibly tell your husband, lover or accountant. You wipe the saliva from your face and notice the 14 piercing pair of eyes looking back at you. Five snowy white Owls perch here and there, two small hoot owls and three larger barn owls -all stylized in white fur- as if to say - you too can be as striking we are - just put on that parka! The other eyes belong to a grinning white pumpkin and a horribly scowling orange squash poking out from the lower corner reminding us it is the haunting season.  (That exquisite jacket does a pretty good job of haunting all on its own of course)
The twin window on the other side of the entrance inexplicably holds two lovely lithe torsos on wooden stands wearing sparkling tutus in striking cherry. I notice a bone-white vase with cherry blossoms in the fore-ground. If you ask me, and I am getting paid to offer my perspective- those cheery cherry outfits hint at the fashions and spirit of the splashy holiday season just around the corner, and the cherry blossoms echo the cherry colors whilst reminding us that spring ,will indeed, spring forth from a bone white winter.
If you get the feeling somebody knows what they are doing you'd be damn right. Debbie Schrodt, my friend, and Pig proprietress, cares. And she has changed the deeply, I'l say it again, deeply, entrenched traffic pattern of the Village of Essex. No small feat.
She is, perhaps, the hundredth monkey.  Because something is afoot here. For sure. Hundredth Monkey Effect.   In fact, I was galavanting at the store today, drinking free coffee, eyeing the pastry offerings on display....uh...oh, I mean researching things and watching a few customers...people...not from around here. I couldn't help staring. 


She is, perhaps, the hundredth monkey.  Because something is afoot here. For sure. Hundredth Monkey Effect.   In fact, I was galavanting at the store today, drinking free coffee, eying the pastry offerings on display....uh...oh, I mean researching things and watching a few customers...people...not from around here. I couldn't help staring. 
Finally, in the interest of research, I asked an interesting looking woman what she was doing here, why she was in the Pink Pig and...she interrupted me to ask politely if I was interviewing her. Caught with my writer showing!! Such a rookie mistake but can't knock off that prideful flush - my first official writing job....finally getting paid for inking that cursed natural verbosity, (also known as wordiness, prolixity and garrulousness - those last two almost sound like venereal diseases- thanks Wikipedia.)
I confessed I was: feigning embarrassment that I had a bona fide reason for engaging her. She was so gracious and forthcoming, explaining that she was a collector. Always has been. Collecting doll house interiors as a young girl and only gaining scope and whimsy from there. Definitely a very interesting and articulate person, Pam. She is a huge fan of Debbie and her store. She is from the city but has tap roots in Philly and once, she and her husband - a native northern New Yorker- were pleasure traveling and disembarked in Essex and ended up buying a place in this area. She likes the store because it affords her ample opportunity to add to her collections and find new things to collect. The great mix of old and new- country and urban, primitive and refined allows anyone to indulge their passions.
Everything from furniture, accessories, to soft goods, clothes - a hybrid with a resort mentality- understands trends, fun, elegant and with really good unbelievable prices. ( Pam, if you send a S.A.S.E. I will send you $2.40 - .10 cents. per word)
You'll find scrumptious hand creams and jewelry, some of it local artist made. I bought the sweetest paper mache bracelet this summer made by Lynda Smythe -a confection of stripes, butterflies in soft pastel corals, gold, pinks and apricots -loved that the interior of the 3/4 inch wide band also had decoration.
Coincidentally, Pam, the interesting collector, was accompanied by a friend and my new friend, Frank Edgerton Martin. Turns out he is one of the Port Henry Seven. (as is, also coincidentally, Lynda Smythe). This gang of insiders and outsiders have a mission to bring culture, a thriving economy and at least one French Restaurant, ( I hope), to Port Henry. Don't bet against them. They are like seven magnificent Samurai, but that could be coincidence also). Frank is a landscape historian. ( www.frankedgertonmartin.com  ) Another great concept linking scenic hiking trails to the village economies is  CATS= Champlain Area Trail System.  www.champlainareatrails.com
 
Noticed Debbie was the proud recipient of an original Sid Couchy painting. She pointed it out when I was drinking coffee and trying to read the Times Headlines (without actually purchasing). 'Tis a great little wee painting of - interestingly - a masculine pink pig - leaning on a fence chatting up a frilly and fluffy feminine sheep with long eyelashes and a hint of pink lip gloss. Anyone familiar with the Little Lotta, Richie Rich or Little Dot Harvey Comics knows Sid Couchey. ( www.facebook.com/pages/Sid-Couchey/143335009015123 ) Proud  to say he and his wife are pretty close neighbors- Mrs. Sid Couchey saved my young Border Collie, Blue , once when we first moved here seven years ago. He ran away to investigate the neighborhood. She saw the number on his tag and called me. Thanks Mrs. Couchey!
Ex. Gov. George Pataki also lives up the road in a large farm with waterfront called The South Farm. Sid painted the large square farm sign by the road so be sure to notice when in the area. When are you going to throw in your hat, George?
I think it is often the case, little Eastern towns, once major players in shaping early history but left in the dust of Manifest Destiny,come round again attaining glorious new heights when some event precipitates a chain-reaction. I-Pads, Phones and technology in general allow connectivity, in turn allowing Manhattanites- as an example- to live here -in the Great White North - at least part of the time. Clearly there is a ripple effect along the Adirondack Coast and it's rousing little towns.
Next week there will be new Store windows, new merch, and more people and stories.
Hey, hang on to your seats because this LITTLE PIGGY HAS WINGS!!

 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Bringing Antiques into Your Home Decor

Bringing Antiques into Your Home Decor


When decorating your home there are many different ways you can incorporate antiques and unique pieces, giving your home a personal touch that’s just right. Never considered adding antiques into your home decor? Here are five easy ways you can start:

Collections
Picture something you remember from your childhood visits to the local farm or to your grandmother’s home. Old wooden shoe molds, pottery of all sizes and shapes, old bottles, quirky salt and pepper shakers, or delicate lace doilies are wonderful collectibles that can be showcased in your home in interesting ways.  Group them together for the greatest impact. With the holidays approaching, look for items that can be part of your seasonal decor as well.

Fabrics
Do you love the colors, designs, and textures of old fabrics? Bring a few into your current home decor by adding decorative pillows made from old quilts or blankets to your sofa. Delicate pieces of cloth or even small articles of baby clothing can be framed behind glass and grouped together in a display. Have fun finding old clothing items that can be displayed in various rooms. We love to see beautiful silk gloves displayed on a dresser top or an old hat peeking out from a shelf.

Color
Do you love color in your home? Or do you enjoy the peaceful feeling of ivory or off-white? Find treasures in antique stores or from your family heirlooms that bring out the colors you already love in your home. A collection of creamy-colored vases is both soothing and functional, while a bright yellow-hued collection of pitchers brings a vibrant splash of color to your kitchen.

A”Wow” Item
Sometimes there is one amazing piece yo u just can’t pass up. Whether it’s an old butter churn, an interesting side table, or a large piece of antique poster art, make it a high-impact item in one room of your home. By focusing attention on one great piece the feel of the whole room can change.

Antique Meets Modern
Some people feel that antiques and modern pieces don’t get along with each other. They certainly can! Mixing pieces from the past with sleek, modern items brings interest and depth to your home decor. A chunky distressed-wood kitchen table looks amazing with shiny, polished, and modern stainless steel serving bowls and platters. A group of antique kitchen implements can bring a homey touch to a sleek new kitchen remodel.

Ready to give it a try? Let Pink Pig help you find some wonderful items to add to your home decor. Stop by and visit us in person, or contact us for help finding your home decorating treasures.
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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Create the Romantic Bedroom of Your Dreams



If you've always wanted to turn your bedroom into a romantic getaway or a restful retreat, you can! With the right colors, fabrics and furnishings you can create the bedroom of your dreams.
For inspiration, check out this slideshow of 10 Romantic Bedrooms. You'll find ideas in a variety of colors and styles, with something for everyone, whether you prefer sleek lines and minimalism, or more elaborate and intricate designs.
Granted, one room featured in the slideshow benefits greatly from its seaside location, but if you don't happen to live right on the beach, any of the other ideas could be implemented right in your own home.
No matter whether your bedroom (and your budget) is large or small, you can absolutely turn your sleeping space into a unique reflection of your most restful and relaxed self.
Browse Pink Pigs Antiques for romantic bedding and bedroom accessories. Our collection of unique bedding features affordable quality bed linens, duvets, and pillows. Romantic, French and modern bedding styles co-exist happily and set apart your bedroom decor as your own.
Contact us for more inspiration and ideas, and get ready to start designing your ideal romantic bedroom!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Rustic Cabin Decor Brings Fall Inside your Home


Finally, fall is in the air! All around our little town the leaves are beginning to turn color, the air is crisp and cooler, and our thoughts turn to mugs of hot apple cider, visits to the pumpkin patch, and fuzzy warm slippers.

What better way to celebrate the change of seasons than to bring the feeling of fall indoors? Your
home decor is not only a mirror of your personal style, but can reflect the changing seasons with a few simple updates .

One of our favorite ways to bring in a touch of fall is to use rustic cabin decor items throughout the home. Think rough-sawn wood, raw edges on fabric accessories, burnished metal accents, and thick fisherman-knit afghans.

Accent your usual decor with a few unique antiques that speak to you. Hunting for new treasures is half the fun of decorating! We love the look of old pottery in wonderful fall colors, mixed in with your usua l tableware as either serving pieces or in a warm, fall tablescape. Antique bottles make interesting vases for sunflowers, tree branches with fall leaves, or dried grasses. Or try putting an old pair of boots in the corner by the door, as if waiting for a romp in the dry leaves.

Changing up your decorative pillows is another easy way to bring that fall feeling into your family room. Look for fabrics with texture and warmth, in rich colors like browns, reds, and deep mustard tones. It’s amazing what such small changes can do for your decor.

Pink Pig brings a variety of decor options to your everyday life! Stop by for a visit or contact us and see what treasures you discover today.
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