I started my career as a milliner turned fashion designer with an insatiable interest in 19th century decorative arts and all things romantic.

 

It all began with my parents. Both equally obsessed with the hunt, they always brought me along to flea markets, auction houses, museums and antique shops. My graphic designer father and extravagantly European mother both instilled in me their love for the historic and enchanted.

 

Every year we visited family in Switzerland. My father would rent a car and pile us in for untold adventures. Venice, San Marino, Basel, Zermatt— wherever the little Fiat could take us. I soaked it all up and began dreaming of my own explorations.

 

I discovered the Hudson Valley on a day trip to Olana. The 19th century moorish villa and Aesthetic Movement masterpiece more than satiated my obsession (at the time) with all things ebonized, tufted and tasseled.

 

It was love at first sight and I thought to myself, Yes! This is where I need to be…  After a few years of saving and searching I bought a little place nearby, a perfectly imperfect 1840s Greek Revival getaway with a small garden to call my very own.

 

Over the past 20 years, through trial and error, a myriad of action-packed weekends and countless historic house and garden tours, I‘ve unwittingly become a historian, decorator, gardener, chef and entertainer (not necessarily in that order)!

 

I hope to share a little of the beauty and joy in my world as I continue to learn, explore and journey forward :)

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James XOXO