A Day in the Hudson Valley

Back in May, Alex and I spent a week in New York participating in an art fair. We had one glorious day to ourselves and spent it visiting our friends Jennifer Brandt and Nic Taylor at their magical abode in Garrison, NY. Founders of the design studio Thunderwing Press, Jen and Nic ooze creativity and style. Their cottage was completely insane – filled with beautiful books and lots of chic little trinkets. Jen greeted us with coffee and banana bread, which we enjoyed with lavender goat cheese (beyond).

They took us on a mini tour of the area – through Garrison and into Cold Spring. Jen and I peeked into Cold Spring Apothecary, where we loaded up on yummy soaps and candles. The highlight of the day (and trip, for that matter) was a tour of Manitoga, the design center and preserves of legendary modernist designer Russel Wright. Every single detail of this property is memorable, and I could have spent many hours roaming the woodland paths and cool modernist rooms. Such a powerful meeting of nature and design. And just when you think you’re ready to go to lunch, you reach down for a doorknob and notice it looks like a moon. It was hard to leave this place. Manitoga is open for tours and I couldn’t recommend it more.

Thank you to our wonderful hosts, JBT and Nic for showing us such a great time. I am completely in love with this part of the world.