In Praise of the Old

Athens, NY, circa 1875 

Eastlake details on the porch railing 

Original bannister and front door 

 Incredible Hudson Valley light

Jackson and Clara enjoying a moment on the antique couch

What is it about old homes that makes so much sense? Is it the attention to detail, or the efficient use of the site?  Having chronicled the Hudson Valley for several years now, I'm impressed at how the area never ceases to offer up fascinating discoveries in terms of charm, character, aesthetics, and history. One of our recent finds is this house, situated on top of a hill in Athens, NY with a view of the Hudson River.   

The house is a new journey for the Bouler family as we explore every element, sort out what's less than resolved, and get to know our new neighborhood.  Built in 1875, it survived a fire 30 years ago and several ill-conceived renovations.  Walking around the rooms, we envision those who built it, wondering their names and careers.  Were they in shipping, maybe exporting ice, as many did in the Athens area? Perhaps an artist from the Hudson River School? How many servants did they have?  When did the home get electrified? Snooping through town records can certainly help piece together the answers, and we are grateful and thrilled to be adding our family's history to the genealogy to the house. 

The Things We Carried

I've run hot and cold with decor that celebrates objects and curiosities. Some houses cry for collectibles on the shelves, while others need the clean, clear expanse of an empty countertop.  Many objects in our homes serve as tangible reminders of the past, nostalgia for a moment in time.  Nosing around this antique store in Hudson, NY over the weekend, I enjoyed the complex mix of colors and textures, the sleek lines of mid-century furniture juxtaposed against handcrafted sculpture of a head.  The effect was a space so cohesively dense that it was seemingly impossible to separate one item from the bunch. Thus I was content to simply snap some pics.

Olana on Foot

A couple of weeks ago, we took a minor detour off the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and visited Olana, artist Frederic Edwin Church's lavish Byzantine- inspired mansion. With its breathtaking views of the Hudson River, it's easy to see why the artist was duly inspired to create such equally captivating works of art. After a quick walk downhill to the education center, the kids were provided with backpacks for field notes and illustrations. Olivia worked on a nature sketch and Jackson did some architectural drawings-- both of which were added to the the center's walls.

Week-ending

For those of you who remember Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, you surely remember how he used to walk through his door and change into his sweater and sneakers, signalling the tranformation into relaxed mode. On busy days I think of this as I find myself still in my work clothes and shoes late into the evening.
My Potic Cottage wardrobe is like Mr. Roger's sneakers. With a handful of casual clothes helping to create my weekend mode, I don them to signal the 'relaxed me', pictured here with James in the Spotty Dog, an essential part of our weekend routine. Another part of our weekend circuit is a trip to Olde Hudson, now in its new location. A spacious space with tall ceilings, this local gourmet shop feels more like the general store than Dean and Deluca's. And for those of you who want to visit the area, perhaps becoming a weekender yourself, The Sullivan House in Athens is going to open as a small hotel in the coming months. Please, bring your casual clothes and come to visit.

House Studies

Looking for buildings to paint, I walked Warren Street in Hudson, NY., snapping pics of anything that caught my eye. The commonality of what I chose seems to be 19th Century brick, wouldn't you say?

Hudson: The Countdown

With spring in the soggy air, I look forward to heading upstate, especially to Hudson. I miss my favorite shops-- even just to poke around. Neven and Neven Moderne antique shop has the kind of mid-century stuff of my dreams. Gourmet shop Olde Hudson, seen here in its old location, is a must every time we go-- either to pick up snacks, dinner, or both. And of course no visit is complete without a pint and a read at the Spotty Dog.

The Mind's Eye

"When was the last time you had 40 minutes of unbroken bliss?" This line from the radio was so good I had to write it down with a purple marker. Perhaps a sign of the hectic times in which we live, most people zip through life without those blissful moments. Hopefully this weekend remedied that for many. It did for me.

I have been listening to the book Rapt by Winifred Gallagher about one's abilty to pay attention. From the start, I loved the premise: We choose our life experience based upon our mind's focus. Gallagher's neuropsychological approach to the brain's ability to focus on many levels, as well as our ability to direct our thoughts, has inspired me to consider how I occupy my mind. The holiday season is a prime example of this. In trying to create the 'perfect' holiday moment, many people destroy their holiday cheer by focusing on the small details instead of the big picture. It reminds me of what a very busy friend of mine sagely said, "I may be busy, but I don't have to be unhappy about being busy."

Nostalgia of the Infinite

It was a surprise to find the Hudson Area Library looking like a deChirico painting with its classic architectural and sculptural elements, trains looming in the distance. Unfortunately it was a bit disheartening to see the library in such dire need of renovation. I am a firm believer in the public library system. With open access to books, anyone in our country can educate him or herself as long as they put in the time and effort to do so-- isn't that the American Dream after all? The public library is where I first discovered art history when I was twelve, as I sat at the long tables in the reference area memorizing paintings and quizzing myself in identifying the different artists. It is where I held my first official job, shelving books, discovering the vast history of literature, sneaking a chapter here and there. It is where I take the kids now to feed their appetite for new books and to encourage another generation to love reading. Restoring an old library to its former luster is a worthy project, not just in terms of the architecture, but in terms of the community's future intellectual growth. Hopefully Hudson will undertake such an endeavor.

After Hours

James and I agree that you can really get to know a town by who comes out at night. Hudson is no exception. It's a college town without the college-- vibrant and a bit scruffy around the edges. We started our night at a great restaurant Swoon Kitchenbar, whose menu changes regularly. By using Hudson Valley artisanal farmers, it not only offers some of the freshest ingredients, but helps support the sustainable agricultural movement. James said his duck was amazing, and I was really impressed with the shiitake risotto, especially the fiddlehead ferns on top. After dinner we strolled up the street to hear some live music at the Spotty Dog. With a mix of people crowding the bookstore, the music opened with a soulful jazz vocalist, followed by an acoustic trio. What surprised us was just how good their original songs were and how well the bookstore was able to accommodate live music. We followed up with a nightcap at Jason's Upstairs Bar, which has an active lineup of upcoming events. We can safely say that Hudson at night can be as entertaining as Hudson during the day.

Think Globally, Shop Locally

In light of our nation's economic woes, it's become incredibly important these days to shop locally. Despite the ease of on-line, one-click shopping on sites like Amazon, putting money back into a local downtown economy is good for everybody. As many small towns can attest, superstores pull financial resources and strip entire regions of small, independent businesses. I also find independent shops offer a more unique selection, especially for home decor and clothing purchases. Here are four of my favorite stops in Hudson, NY in case you find yourself in the area. Casa Urbana recently opened and offers a great selection of fragrances for home and personal use. I haven't checked out their salon services, but I was able to pick up an unusual birthday card for a friend and a Thymes body wash for which I had been searching. White Rice is a globally-imported mix of funky apparel and eclectic home decor. I've definitely done well finding clothes for myself and gifts for my friends. Kosa has some unusual and stylish clothes; I especially like some of the knits which are surprisingly affordable. And finally, Five and Diamond is worth the detour off Warren St. I'm an avid thrift shop patron, so I'm certainly not squeamish about second hand clothing, and the selection here has been edited and mended so that even those who aren't regular second hand shoppers can see the fashion forward potential in an outfit from the past.
So get out your reusable shopping bags, walk to your nearest downtown store and check it out.

If Walls Could Talk

I love old buildings, and I love old downtowns. I can trace it back to by affection for my grandparents' house, a semi-attached row house built in the mid 19th Century. I love their secrets-- the closed up fireplace, the dusty cedar chests, the dirt root cellar under the kitchen. When James and I moved into our house in Islip, I stuck some old objects in the corners of the basement, hoping that someday a curious child would rummage around and discover an old can of Octagon cleanser, or a spelling primer published in 1895.
I think what compels people to undertake a renovation project is an older building's attention to architectural detail. The quality of their bones offers the reason to preserve and restore them at considerable cost and effort. Lately I've been enjoying following renovation blogs, especially Holy Hudson, chronicling a renovation of an older home in Hudson, NY. Through cyberspace, I get to live vicariously though their renovation experiences-- the "under the wallpaper" discoveries, the smelly carpets, the long, backbreaking hours. . . ah it brings back memories.
Hudson itself is a treasure full of old buildings that reminds me in an odd way of Venice. An old port of industry along the Hudson River, its slightly ragged chic and aging elegance suggests a heyday from yesteryear. And like Venice, its a great walking city; you could take the day walking from one end of Warren Street to the other and still feel as if you've just scratched the surface. Imagine how many undiscovered mysteries the cellars of Hudson hold in their earthen walls.

A Spotty Dog Moment

One of the best pints I've had on this side of the pond was this past weekend at the Spotty Dog on Warren Street in Hudson. Housed in an old firehouse, this independent bookstore has everything-- including a well-stocked art supply section and local beer on tap. It reminded me a great deal of Dingle, Ireland, where many of the stores serve as pubs at night. Dick Mack's doubles as a shoe maker, Foxy John's is hardware by day, heck even the town's seamstress works the taps at night. How efficient is that, two functions in one building? Yet the Spotty Dog tops them all with an excellent selection of books and a spot for tagalong kids to play a game of snakes and ladders. After buying an architecture book and a beautiful calligraphy pen, James and I saddled up to our pints and marveled at the genius of the place.