What began as a market has become a gallery.
When I opened The Hōm Market, my vision was simple: to create a space filled with beautiful things—objects with soul, handmade goods, and pieces that helped people create homes that felt personal and lived in.
Over time, something began to evolve.
What started as a shop slowly became a place of discovery. Artists found a home here. Makers shared their stories. Collectors stopped in to find the piece they didn’t know they were looking for. The conversations became deeper, the collections more intentional, and the focus increasingly centered around art, objects, and the spaces we create around them.
As the business grew, so did my understanding of what it had become.
Gallery hōm reflects that evolution.
While our name is changing, the heart of what we do remains the same. We will continue to champion independent artists, support small makers, and curate timeless pieces that bring beauty and meaning into everyday life.
The word “gallery” felt like a natural next chapter. It speaks to curation, artistry, and thoughtful collecting. It reflects our belief that a home is not built overnight, but assembled slowly over time through meaningful objects, treasured finds, and pieces that tell a story.
Gallery hōm is a home for art, objects, and collected interiors.
It’s a reflection of everything we’ve been building together from the very beginning.
To everyone who has supported us—from our earliest market days to this next chapter—thank you. Your encouragement has made this evolution possible.
We are excited for what comes next: new artists, new collections, inspiring events, and continued exploration of slow design and intentional living.
Welcome to Gallery hōm.
With gratitude,
Britt SummersFounder, Gallery hōm
At Gallery hōm, we are always drawn to artists whose work feels deeply connected to the natural world — pieces that bring warmth, atmosphere, and quiet emotion into a space. Caroline Bullock’s abstract landscapes embody that feeling beautifully.
Based in Georgia, Caroline creates richly layered works inspired by the shifting landscapes, flora, textures, and subtle movements found in nature. Her paintings feel organic and atmospheric, evoking distant horizons, weathered terrain, coastal light, and gathered fragments from the outdoors. There is a softness and depth to her work that allows each piece to quietly transform a room without overwhelming it.
What makes Caroline’s process especially compelling is her connection to the materials themselves. Many of the natural pigments and inks used throughout her work are created through foraging — gathering plants, organic matter, and natural elements from the landscape to create earthy, nuanced color palettes that feel deeply rooted in place and seasonality.
This relationship between art and nature gives her work an authenticity that we are incredibly drawn to at the hōm market.
Rooted in Nature
There is something grounding about Caroline’s landscapes. The layered textures, organic movement, and earthy tones create compositions that feel collected rather than constructed — intuitive works that capture the feeling of being immersed in nature rather than simply observing it.
Her use of foraged materials adds another layer of depth and meaning to each piece. The process itself becomes part of the story: gathering, observing, preserving, and translating the natural world into art.
We love how her work embraces imperfection, movement, and subtle variation — qualities that make handmade work feel alive.
Art for Collected Interiors
Caroline’s paintings integrate beautifully into layered, soulful interiors. The organic palette and abstract compositions pair naturally with artisan ceramics, vintage woods, handmade textiles, natural linens, and collected objects throughout the home.
Whether styled above a fireplace, layered into a gallery wall, or anchoring a quiet bedroom or entryway, her work brings warmth, softness, and atmosphere into a space. The pieces feel timeless and calming while still holding a strong visual presence.
It is artwork designed to be lived with slowly and appreciated over time.
Why We Love Her Work at hōm
We believe homes should feel personal, meaningful, and deeply connected to craftsmanship and story. Caroline Bullock’s work reflects that philosophy perfectly.
Her abstract landscapes celebrate the beauty of the natural world, the artistry of handmade process, and the quiet richness of collected living. There is an emotional quality to her work that feels both grounding and transportive — art that invites pause, reflection, and connection.
We are honored to carry Caroline’s work at hōm and to share her thoughtful artistry with our community.
Shop Caroline Bullock
Explore our collection of Caroline Bullock cyanotypes online and in-store at Gallery hōm in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.
Meet Britt Summers, founder of Gallery hōm — a former floral designer and creative curator inspired by collected living, artisan craftsmanship, and homes that tell a story. Discover the vision behind the hōm market and the belief that beautiful spaces are built slowly, thoughtfully, and personally over time.
When we began renovating the first floor of our 1899 home, I knew I didn’t want it to feel overly polished or precious. I wanted it to feel layered, lived-in, soulful, and deeply reflective of the way our family actually lives. More than anything, I wanted our home to tell a story.
Working with Barbara Lustbader of Studio Embers completely transformed the way we approached the renovation. Barbara has this incredible ability to create spaces that feel refined without ever feeling rigid. Every room she designs carries emotion and warmth — and somehow feels both elevated and entirely approachable at the same time.
Together, we reimagined the entire first floor, creating spaces that feel connected through texture, craftsmanship, and light. We installed new herringbone white oak flooring throughout the home, added custom wall paneling, and painted much of the space in Benjamin Moore White Down — a soft, warm white that changes beautifully throughout the day and became the perfect backdrop for the layered interiors we envisioned.
The kitchen became the heart of the renovation.
We designed a completely custom kitchen with Gotham Cabinetry, and working with Kris truly was a dream. Every detail was considered with care — from the proportions of the cabinetry to the hidden storage and warm wood interiors. The kitchen balances old-world character with modern functionality in a way that feels timeless to me. We paired the cabinetry with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and dramatic Calacatta Monet marble that brings movement and softness into the room. Michael Amendola from Infinity Stone did our marble fabrication and did a phenomenal job. One of my favorite details is the built-in dining nook, which makes the kitchen feel intimate and gathered rather than purely utilitarian.
Our contractor, Brendan Dunleavy, executed every detail with an incredible level of craftsmanship. Renovations are never simple, especially in an older home, but Brendan approached every challenge thoughtfully and with so much attention to detail. The finished result feels seamless — as though these spaces had always belonged to the home.
Throughout the project, materiality was everything to us.
Nearly all of the fabrics throughout the home are from Zak+Fox, including the bathroom wallpaper. Their textiles have this richness and depth that feel simultaneously global and grounded, which perfectly aligned with the feeling we wanted throughout the house.
The dining room holds one of the most meaningful elements in the entire renovation: a hand-painted mural wallpaper by Charlotte Terrell. The mural instantly reminded me of the landscape surrounding my childhood home, and there’s something deeply emotional about sitting in that room now. It feels nostalgic and transporting at the same time — almost like stepping into a memory. Barbara understood immediately that the home needed moments like this: spaces that weren’t just beautiful, but personal.
What makes the house feel most complete to me, though, are the objects layered throughout it.
Almost everything in our home is handmade, vintage, or collected over years of travel. Many of the pieces have come directly from Gallery hōm—objects created by artisans and makers whose work I've fallen in love with over time.
I'm an avid collector of works by Sarah Mijares Fick, EBW Ceramics, Morgan Peck, and Lynn Christian, all artists represented by the gallery. Bowls gathered abroad, vintage lighting, handmade ceramics, marble vessels, textiles, artwork, and collected objects coexist in a way that feels layered and personal rather than designed.
Our home has never been about matching. It's about living with things that tell a story—pieces made by hand, discovered on travels, or collected slowly over time. Together they create a space that feels warm, soulful, and uniquely ours.
The most beautiful interiors are never built overnight. They are gathered piece by piece, memory by memory, until the rooms begin to reflect the people living inside them.
That philosophy guided every decision we made during this renovation.
Barbara often spoke about creating a home that felt intentional but not staged — layered yet calm, elevated yet deeply livable. I think that’s exactly what we achieved together. Every room has softness, texture, and warmth, but also practicality for our family and the way we gather, host, and move through daily life.
This renovation wasn’t about creating a perfect house.
It was about creating a home that feels deeply connected to our story — one filled with craftsmanship, collected beauty, and objects that carry meaning.
And ultimately, that’s what makes a house feel alive.
Photography by Dane Tashima with Intellectual Property
Some of the most beautiful objects in a home are fleeting — a branch clipped from the yard, herbs gathered from the garden, a single stem resting in a handmade vessel, or wild greens casually placed on a dining table after a slow afternoon outdoors.
Long before flowers are formally arranged, there is beauty in gathering.
As a former floral designer, I have always believed homes feel most alive when they reflect the seasons around them. Bringing branches, clippings, and garden cuttings indoors creates a kind of effortless warmth that cannot be replicated by anything store-bought. A home layered with natural elements feels softer, more personal, and deeply lived in.
At Gallery hōm, we are drawn to objects and interiors that tell a story over time — collected homes filled with texture, imperfection, and meaningful beauty. Garden clippings bring that same feeling indoors. They remind us to slow down, notice the changing seasons, and live more closely connected to the natural world.
Why Natural Elements Make a Home Feel Alive
There is something grounding about living with branches and gathered greenery. Organic forms soften hard edges, create movement within a space, and add a quiet sense of seasonality to the home.
Unlike overly polished arrangements, garden cuttings feel relaxed and instinctive. A loosely placed branch in an oversized ceramic vessel often creates more impact than an elaborate bouquet because it feels authentic and unforced.
We love styling natural elements throughout the home:
Tall branches in entryways
Olive cuttings on a dining table
Herbs gathered in the kitchen
A single flowering stem beside the bed
Foraged greens layered onto open shelving
Seed pods and dried branches displayed as sculptural objects
These small gestures create interiors that feel warm, layered, and deeply personal.
What to Bring Indoors
One of the most beautiful things about decorating with garden clippings is that it changes constantly with the seasons.
In spring, flowering branches like cherry blossom, dogwood, and magnolia bring softness and movement indoors. Summer offers hydrangeas, herbs, climbing vines, and wild grasses. Autumn is perfect for berry branches, dried seed pods, and sculptural limbs, while winter greenery and bare branches create a quieter, more minimal beauty.
Some of our favorite natural elements to style with include:
Smoke bush branches
Hydrangeas
Magnolia leaves
Bittersweet vine
Seed pods
Wild grasses
Flowering branches
Viburnum
Roses (my favorite!)
Even the simplest clipping can completely transform a room when thoughtfully placed.
Styling Branches & Garden Gatherings at Home
The key to styling gathered branches indoors is restraint. Let the natural shape and movement guide the arrangement rather than forcing perfection.
We love using oversized handmade ceramic vessels, vintage pots, or sculptural glassware to anchor larger branches and create an organic focal point within a room. Smaller clippings scattered throughout the home — beside a sink, on a bedside table, or layered onto bookshelves — create quiet moments of beauty that make a home feel truly lived in.
Some favorite styling approaches:
Layering tall branches beside artwork
Mixing gathered greens with candles and stacked books
Using asymmetry for a more natural feel
Letting branches drape and move freely
Pairing raw organic greenery with sculptural ceramics
Styling simple clippings in unexpected spaces like bathrooms or kitchens
The beauty comes from allowing nature to feel imperfect.
A Home Collected Slowly
At Gallery hōm, we believe homes should evolve slowly over time through gathered objects, artisan craftsmanship, collected pieces, and everyday rituals. Decorating with garden clippings reflects that philosophy perfectly — it costs very little, changes with the seasons, and encourages us to notice beauty in the everyday.
Some of the most memorable homes are not the most perfect, but the ones that feel alive.
A branch clipped on a morning walk. Herbs gathered before dinner. A vase filled with something seasonal and imperfect. These small moments create warmth, soul, and connection within a space.
It is often the simplest things that make a house feel like home.
Shop the Story
Bring the feeling of gathered living indoors with artisan-made vessels, sculptural ceramics, candles, textiles, and collected objects designed to create warm, layered interiors inspired by nature and seasonal living.
There’s a difference between decorating a room and creating one that feels collected over time — layered with objects that carry texture, memory, warmth, and presence. The pieces we return to most in our homes are often the quietest ones: the blanket draped over the arm of a sofa, the candle lit at dusk, the bowl that slowly gathers the small rituals of daily life.
In our living room, a handful of thoughtfully chosen pieces work together to create that feeling.
Artwork by Lynn Christian, bringing movement and emotional depth to the room. The piece shifts throughout the day with the changing light, adding a sense of mood and quiet drama without overpowering the space. Art has a way of anchoring a room emotionally, and this piece does exactly that.
A Morgan Peck ceramic vase filled with soft pink roses brings an organic softness into the room. We’re always drawn to handmade vessels that feel sculptural even when standing alone, but there’s something especially beautiful about the way fresh flowers animate a space — adding color, impermanence, and a sense of seasonality. The glaze and texture of the vase feel almost painterly against the marble and velvet surrounding it.
A sculptural marble bowl keeps magazines, remotes, and coasters neatly contained while adding a beautiful focal point to the room. I love incorporating functional bowls like this throughout the house—they're the perfect catch-all for everyday living. Candlesticks are another favorite of mine; I collect them and use them often, bringing warmth and character to every space.
The most inviting homes are rarely perfect. They evolve slowly through collected pieces, meaningful objects, and layers that tell a story. We’re always drawn to spaces that feel personal, soulful, and deeply lived in — rooms that invite you to settle in and stay awhile.
Before Hōm, there were flowers.
Britt Summers grew up in Rochester before moving to New York City, where she founded Miss Fancy Plants, a floral design and events studio in the West Village. Drawn to the immediacy and impermanence of working with flowers, she built a creative practice rooted in seasonality, texture, and a deep connection to the natural world.
LA-based ceramicist Morgan Peck fell in love with clay as a high school student. Her mother taught drawing and painting, but she was naturally drawn towards ceramics, taking every class her school offered—twice!
We’re delighted to feature Morgan’s work in our shop. Scroll on to dig into her creative process.
meet morgan peck
After school, Morgan turned her attention towards photography:
“My work with photography and developing photos helped me not be afraid of going for it. I like learning as I go.”
A community ceramics class reignited her interest in the medium, and the rest is abundant, creative history.
On hand-building and creating signature designs, like her Stretch Vases:
“It's a long process to come up with something that sticks, a design that is popular for a long time.”
On starting with play (when possible):
“The designs that I make now did come out of playing when I felt no pressure… I was just having fun and seeing what I can do. Now I run a full-time business and don’t have as much time to play…
The designs slowly turned into something I like. Over the years, I changed little parts of them, making them more honed in.”
For years, Peck was adamant about not wanting to make vases.
“I thought they were boring… I only made sculptures for a long time, resisting making a vase. I started messing around and coming up with things that I liked. Lo and behold, I sold them!
I like vases; I’ve always been into flowers. I don’t know why I resisted making vases for so long…. I’ve grown to really embrace them. They are an object that people understand.”
Today, Peck is a mother of two children and owns a successful ceramic design business in Los Angeles. Being in California is an important part of Peck's identity and creative process.
“I’m such a West Coast person… Being in a big city like LA gives you opportunities to do things with art and design that you wouldn't get in a small city. There are a lot of people here interested in wacky stuff…
I am constantly inspired by LA, all its different architectural styles jammed together in one place.”
On meeting a broader audience with The Hōm Market:
“I imagine it all the time, who are the people that go into this store? I'm very curious about all of it. And I wish I could follow a piece home and see where it ends up…
It's still thrilling to me even though I produce hundreds of these vases. I still wonder where is this one gonna go, who's gonna see it, who's gonna hold it, and who's gonna use it?”
On running a successful ceramics studio:
“It feels great. I feel surprised all the time, especially when a store like Hōm wants my stuff. It's still exciting.”
Thank you, Morgan, for sharing your life and work with us!
meet almerinda gillet
Though Almerinda's family emigrated from Portugal to France—seeking freedom from an autocratic dictator—in the 1970s, she always maintained some connection to her birthplace.
Today she lives between the two countries, in Paris and the countryside near Coimbra.
On splitting her time between France and Portugal:
"In Portugal, I'm lucky enough to be able to work as closely as possible to my inspirations and the movements found in nature: the ocean, the vegetation, the horizon.
In France, I work more in a studio, a bubble in which I draw on my memories and imagination."
Almerinda’s work takes inspiration from the natural landscapes she inhabits—rolling hills with olive and orange trees near Coimbra in Portugal and the dynamic waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
“I observe the way the waves sculpt the landscape. I am fascinated by this whole universe sunk beneath the water with bits of it sometimes washing up on the beach. I think that influences me a lot.
My ceramics are always changing, too. I try to create works in perpetual motion—they have different identities depending on their interaction with light.
New shadows are created, and flashes of shiny reflections can exist temporarily. You don't have the same vision of the piece in the morning and the evening, and I enjoy playing with these rhythms and temporalities imposed by nature.”
“My work can be rediscovered every day.”
Almerinda’s practice is rooted in photography, a childhood interest that developed into a career in art. Focusing on black-and-white film photography helped Almerinda develop a keen eye for light, space, and self-expression.
“I felt the need to express myself through images, to have my own freedom of vision. Being an artist offers a freedom I've never thought of giving up.”
When Almerinda started to experiment with clay at the age of 50, “it was a revelation.”
On evolving creative interests:
“I realized that I could play with light in space and create ceramic works that evolved throughout the day according to the light. In my ceramic work, I play a lot with the shadows and contrasts that can be created when the sun shines on it.”
Almerinda's latest pieces draw inspiration from the forest—the interplay of moss, mushrooms, and dew first captured on camera and then brought to life in clay:
“My inspirations come from outside: the seabed, the earth's volcanic entrails, the biodiversity present in the forest. Once I get going, I let the stoneware guide me.”
Each piece takes a journey:
“My favorite part of being an artist is the moment when the pieces leave my studio and enter another world that is not my own. The fact that other people can make them their own, creating new dialogues between them and their interior. I love the idea that these pieces will have another life after they leave the studio, that there will be stories built and new worlds created around them.
As my practice is very much influenced by the places where I create, the fact that my ceramics can touch people all over the world is the greatest achievement of all.”
where we stayed
Círculo Mexicano
Located in the heart of downtown Mexico City near pre-Hispanic ruins, the National Palace, and the oldest cathedral in Mexico. The boutique hotel occupies a 19th-century townhouse with stunning views and beautiful interiors.
The beds were incredibly comfortable, we felt very safe, and we loved eating breakfast on the rooftop each morning overlooking the cathedral. It was easy and inexpensive to Uber to Condesa and Polanco from here and it truly felt like you were staying in a piece of history. I would stay here again.
where we would (also) stay
Casa TEO
This minimalist bed and breakfast created by the famed Mexican chef Enrique Olvera offers a tranquil place to land after exploring CDMX.
where we ate
The restaurant scene is world-class in CDMX. Scroll on for a list of the best places we dined.
ticuchi
With renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera behind it, you can expect the food at Ticuchi to be stellar, prepared by chefs in the open kitchen of this cave-like space. The cocktails were incredible and so was the food!
Visit Ticuchi
contramar
Only fish and shellfish caught fresh each day make the cut at Contramar, a Mexico City seafood institution. Chef Gabriela Cámara (culinary advisor to the President of Mexico, no less) prepares dishes such as Galicia-style octopus with paprika and olive oil, sautéed shrimp tacos, and whole grilled fish dressed in bright and spicy salsas. Try the tuna tostada and ceviche.
Make reservations in advance!
salazar
One of our favorite meals in CDMX. We are still dreaming about the fish and the head-on prawns! Set on a rooftop with beautiful views and stunning interiors, we loved it here.
Tap through to visit Salazar.
aúna
Housed in a neo-classical, 19th-century building in Mexico City’s upmarket Polanco neighborhood, Aúna blew us away. We came for lunch and walking through the garden to enter this beautifully open, sun-dappled space was an experience in itself. The food was incredible, and we loved watching the kitchen work as a team. I regret not going back for dinner.
Book in advance
màximo
The space is carefully assembled by Gabriela's with a kitchen inspired by Eduardo García's early memories living as an immigrant in a barn in Ohio. The result is beautiful and the food, made. with traditional and ancestral techniques, is impeccable.
Visit Maximo
more to see
Visit the Polanca and Condesa neighborhoods for shopping. In between (amazing) meals, stop by a museum:
Museo Nacional de Antropología — our absolute favorite
Frida Kahlo Museum — Buy tickets weeks in advance; you cannot buy them at the door! We did not get in.
I hope you enjoyed our Mexico City itinerary and get to experience some of these places for yourself soon.
-Britt
stay, eat & shop
Paris might be my favorite city ever. I see a future there for myself and love to visit whenever the occasion arises. Here are some of my favorite places I've happened upon while being a 'flâneuse'.
where we stayed
The Hoxton
The Hoxton, Paris is a grand 18th century residence in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement. It's a very cute boutique hotel on a quiet street with nicely sized rooms that don't break the bank. The hotel restaurant comes alive at night but thanks to the sound machine we traveled with, we were not disturbed by any noise.Tip: Book a taxi with the hotel a day in advance for airport runs, especially if you have an earlier flight.
Explore the hoxton
where we'd stay next
L'Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Located in a hidden enclave of Montmartre, the beautiful hilltop arrondissement is the cutest hotel ever. The cocktails are incredible and the menu is traditional Parisian cuisine set in a cozy dining room. I would love to book a room here next time I go to Paris, I love the area and this hotel so much.Tip: You can only book the dining room or outdoor garden for dinner two weeks in advance so mark your calendar. It is also more expensive than the Hoxton.
Explore L'Hôtel Particulier
where we ate
Every meal is a treasure in Paris. Here are some of the places we enjoyed on this visit.
comice
With only 13 tables and one seating per night, it's like being invited to be the best dinner party at someone's loving home. Led by a husband (chef) and wife (front of house sommelier) team, the food and wine pairing was one of the most memorable meals we have had in a long time. Truly incredible.
Tip: They stay closed on Saturday and Sunday to spend time with their young daughter.
Explore Comice
sur mer
Beautifully prepared seafood in a cozy and tiny Parisian restaurant where the menu changes daily.
Tip: Make sure to make reservations in advance and they have tiny outdoor tables you can reserve in the warmer months.
Explore Sur Mer
le servan
Incredibly delicious French bistro with a touch of Asian flair. Run by two sisters, the menu is unique and lovely.
Tip: Great for lunch or dinner and you definitely need reservations in advance. They are closed on Sundays.
Explore Le Servan
where we shopped
L' Atelier 55
This is my ultimate favorite shop in Paris. Amazing finds, unique art, and timeless classics.L’Atelier 55 has galleries in Megève, Saint-Tropez, and Paris. They specialize in French and Italian designer furniture and objects from the 1950s-1980s.Tip: They ship worldwide!
Explore L'Atelier 55
more paris favorites
Delicious spots:Chez L' Ami LouisLe Petit VatelBistro Paul Bert
Best Take Out Sandwich: Moroccan Kafta Kabob: Yemma Office — seriously delicious.
Best boulangerie:Terriors D' Avenir
Best high-end vintage market:Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint- OuenTip: Book Bistro Paul Bert for lunch in advance and have a wonderful lunch post shopping Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint- Ouen (they are on the same block).
I hope you enjoyed our Paris itinerary and get to experience some of these places for yourself soon.
Britt
lisbon
"What a delicious feast for all the senses! We ate seafood like queens, stayed in the cutest hotel, and went to the best shops! Portugal is known for their pottery and textiles and did not disappoint. "Scroll on to see where we went and what we loved, all in 3.5 dreamy days.
STAY
casa balthazar
Loveliest boutique hotel with the most stunning view! Pro tip: Book the Jacuzzi room and don't forget to stop by the bakery for desserts/port while you relax in your hot tub after a long day walking up those hills.
"About an hour and a half south of Lisbon is a stunning beach community with turquoise water and white sand beaches."
"You can reserve a day bed at the beach and eat some of the best seafood one will ever have while drinking delicious sangria. What could be better?! "
EAT
a cevicheria
Absolutely must try the Salmon + Dragon Fruit Ceviche, Tuna Tacos, and Pisco Sour! Loved this place so much we had to go back again before we left!
EAT
comporta cafe
About that bed on the beach while drinking sangria...... THIS IS THE FOOD THAT COMES TO YOU. Take me back!
Sublime comporta beach club
"Do yourself a favor and order the squid ink paella with Langostinos and a Pisco Sour. OMG!"
EAT
rocco
"New to the Lisbon scene but feels like it has been there forever - it is so drop dead gorgeous! Stunning interiors, delicious fresh sea food, truly the best sea bass I have ever eaten. Rocco is a must. We skipped dessert and I still have regrets about it. "
EAT
landeau
"Best chocolate cake I have ever had. Perfect pickup me up with a cafe and surrounded by amazing shops. "
Shop
comporta selection
"Dream of a shop made to look like a home complete with a real wood burning fireplace and wonderful home goods. "
SHOP
comporta village
Adorable village with the best Portuguese bakery and cute shops and yummy cafes!
SHOP
a vida portugesa
Beautiful home good store with some of the best specialty food displays I have ever seen!
SHOP
anna westerlund
Love her use of color in the art, pottery, and jewelry she creates in the heart of Lisbon. "Our greatest tools are our heart and hands. When we take time to make something with our hands we connect with ourselves and others." Well said!
stay
We have been to this part of the Catskills on a few trips now and have absolutely loved it! Great food, beautiful mountains, stunning hikes, with cute towns for shopping and antiquing.
the cabin
We rented this cute two-bedroom home on Airbnb. It's nestled in the woods next to a beautiful babbling creek. It's a smaller-sized home (you'll share a bathroom) but very well done. They also own a few more equally stunning, larger properties. Book well in advance.
The Hunter Houses
casa magda
A 5 bedroom, 2 bath home that has been recently renovated in Windham, NY. On clear nights there are amazing views of the Milky Way. I booked this house via Airbnb for a girl's weekend, we all had a great time and were very comfortable here!
Casa Magda
Eat
This area is a true destination for dining. Make reservations in advance!
west kill brewing
Every weekend West Kill Brewing has a different food pop-up, think lobster rolls and oysters from @oysterparty or Empanada trucks. Paired with a cool crisp beer, a stack of fun games available inside, and multiple fire pits with tables. We LOVE this place!
West Kill Brewing
prospect at scribner's
The food at Prospect is the perfect après-ski restaurant with delicious food and drinks, what's better than that after a day on the slopes? Tip: the restaurant allows booking one month in advance—make sure to secure your reservation on their site!
Prospect
SKI
hunter and windham mountain
There are two great ski mountains close to the NY metro area both about 15 minutes apart. Pro tip: go early! It gets packed in the afternoon and a lot of people have been drinking by then. I like to go first thing in the morning and then après hard after. Both mountains have fire pits, food, drinks, and live music most weekends!
hunter and windham mountain
deer mountain inn
This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the area! It looks like someone's cozy mountain home, set deep in the woods. Hunting lodge-like interiors with couches and club chairs by roaring fireplaces, fantastic cocktails, and a truly delicious hyper-local menu, this is a do not miss! They also have beautiful rooms for rent, but I would stay here without kids. It's skewed to the more posh older crowd. Make reservations in advance!
HIKE
kaaterskill falls
This crowning jewel is the highest cascading waterfall in New York State. It drops in two tiers over 260 feet and is a beautiful site to see. Easy hike that can be done with kids and has a few different viewpoints and trails to take. This is definite do-not-miss!
kaaterskill falls
SHOP
tannersville antiques
Tannersville has some really cute antique stores and shops to check out while you are in the area!
more antique stores in the catskills
Distance calculated from Windham.
Phoenicia Flea (35min)85 Main StPhoenicia, NY 12464Blue Barn Antiques (35min)7053 NY-28Shandaken, NY 12480The Antique Warehouse Hudson (50min)Door 21, 99 S Front StHudson, NY 12534
SHOP
sundry tannersville
Very cute home goods store that is well curated!
Shop Sundry Tannersville
artisans, towns & guides
Our trip to Oaxaca would not have gone so smoothly if we didn't book our guided tours to help us navigate where we needed to go and which artisans we needed to meet with. Below you will find a list of towns, tour guides, and artisans that we visited and loved.
transportation & tour guides
I would not feel comfortable driving in Oaxaca and having Edmundo pick us up at our hotel in his huge Suburban and drive us around, helping us translate, and deciding which artists we should meet made the whole trip seamless!
shenic tours oaxaca
This is the service we used while in Oaxaca. Their rates are as follows for 1-3 people:
Transportation Only$400 pesos per hour (minimum 3 hours)$3,000 pesos per day (8-9 hours)
Transportation and Tour Guide$500 pesos per hour (minimum 3 hours)$4,000 per day (8-9 hours)
Transportation to Hierve el Agua$3,000 (5-6 hours travel time)
*All prices are in Mexican pesos.*All options are private services.
"Transportation only" is a good option if you have already planned the places you want to visit, but only have a slight idea of the places you are going to visit and want recommendations or some information about the areas during the tour. The option with the tour guide is much better.
Explore shenic tours oaxaca
towns & artisans
We visited workshops and met local craftspeople in the area thanks to the help of our guide.
the women of the red clay
In the small Zapotec village of San Marcos Tlapazola, about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca, is a group of women who have been making pottery out of red clay for the past 20 generations.
Macrina is the mastermind and known around the world for her incredible red clay work, she has been featured in Vogue, and has work in the MET! The women hike together to gather the clay from the surrounding mountains, which gives its classic red clay look, using their hands (not a wheel) and simple hand tools such as pieces of leather and then a quartz rock to polish.
It was the highlight of our trip and you would be missing out not to go here! Thank you Macrina for your wonderful hospitality!
velas san pascual
We then left to go to the town of Teotitlán del Valle to meet the beeswax candle makers Velas San Pascual.
It took us about 30 minutes from San Marcos Tlapazola by car and is about 40 minutes from Oaxaca city central. They are a family run beeswax candle workshop, Velas San Pascual was founded in 2011 and are the third generation in their family to continue this tradition. All of their candles are hand poured, using clay and wooden molds to create decorative flowers, fruits, and birds, some of which have been in use for 50 to 60 years. These candles are still used today in the region to celebrate marriage proposals and saints feast days. Their candles are made with locally harvested beeswax, natural dyes, and are completely handmade.
black clay oaxacan pottery
Located 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca the black clay, better known as Barro Negro, comes from the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec in Oaxaca. It is one of the most popular and influential arts of the Oaxacan region. Also, the history of Barro Negro dates back to the Monte Alban period of the region almost 2500 years ago.
These exquisite pieces, which are only made in this region of Oaxaca, receive their beautiful black finish through the process of polishing the surface with a quartz stone.
We went to meet with a few of the makers in this town and it's a definite must see if you are a pottery lover when you go to Oaxaca!
wood carvers
Alebrijes (ah-leh-bree-hess) are creatures carved out of wood and painted with Zapotec patterns and fantastic designs from the artist's own imagination.
These colorful one-of-a-kind carvings are handmade using wood of the copal tree which is grown in the surrounding fields of the towns and is considered a sacred tree which only grows in the region of Oaxaca. This wood is sustainably sourced from the branches of the tree in order to preserve the life of the tree and ensure a continued source of wood for the future.
Alebrijes are traditionally made in Oaxaca in the towns of San Martin Tilcajete as well as San Antonio Arrazola.
more to explore
Hierve el Agua is about 2 hours away from Oaxaca city center and is known for its stunning mountain views. On the way back from Hierve el Agua you can find
Matatlan which is where many mezcal factories are located. On that same route, there is
El Tule Tree—a great place to chill out and grab a quick snack.
Tlapazola, which is famous for its red clay pottery. Packing all of these places in one day would take about 7-8 hours.
I hope you get to enjoy Oaxaca, too!
- Britt
stay & eat
We had the absolute best time visiting Oaxaca, Mexico for our sourcing trip in January. Oaxaca is known for their artisan goods and it is the food capital of Mexico, win win for us! Our trip went off without a hitch and we have a lot to share about all the fantastic places we ate at, artists we met, and the guides we hired.
where we stayed
grana b&b;
This hotel is a well-priced gem set in a sunny, Spanish colonial 16th-century mansion in the heart of the city, restored by architect and owner Luis Carbonell. Grana B&B; has 15 rooms with standard suites, each splashed with painted tiles, and tropical flora in terra-cotta planters.
Breakfast was spectacular with Oaxacan specialties, eggs, fresh tortillas, yogurt, granolas, and fruits.
The rooms were comfortable and well appointed, with complementary straw totes and hats to use during your stay. We loved watching the sunset on top of the rooftop lounge and they were so helpful with travel tips and bookings!
We absolutely loved our stay here and would all come back.
Explore Grana B&B
other accommodations
Casa Oaxaca & Casa Silencio
We ate at both and they looked incredible! Casa Oaxaca is in the heart of the city, has a pool, and an incredible restaurant. Casa Silencio is one hour away in the mountains and much more remote but absolutely stunning.
where we ate
I can't put into words how incredible the food in Oaxaca is.
It is not safe to drink the water there and we were going for a short time (3 full days and 2 travel days) so we wanted to dine at the best places and avoid any possibility of tummy troubles. We heard the street food was incredible but we stayed away and opted for more fine dining and chef-tasting menus.
I recommend booking restaurants in advance of your stay, the hotel you stay at can help secure reservations or you can book online.
los danzantes
We loved this place so much that we came here two days in a row for lunch!
The ceviche was out of this world good and those cocktails- ahh take me back! This restaurant is located in the heart of the city and a two-minute walk from our hotel Grana B&B; and is most known for its moles which are described as a journey through the earth. We didn't end up ordering mole and ordered instead coconut shrimp, beet salad, fresh fish, and ceviches for lunch. We always got a lot of moles with our dinners and chose lighter dishes so we wouldn't be too full.
If we had more time I would come back here for dinner too.
Visit Los Danzantes
criollo
Another incredible lunch we had was at Criollo. The ambiance was my personal favorite and we ate in the garden that was dappled in sunlight through the blooming bougainvillea vines overhead. The food was simply delicious, elegantly presented, and served on locally made plates.
It's a chef's tasting menu and the dishes are made with the freshest ingredients and locally sourced produce. They have a funny chicken that greets you at the table and enjoys some fresh tortilla. I think it was the most romantic setting of the restaurants in the city we went to. I really really loved it here and would definitely come back for dinner.
This cost around $50 a person without liquor pairing. So worth it.
Explore Criollo
alfonsina
Located in the multigenerational family home of Jorge León, on the outskirts of Oaxaca, in a neighborhood called San Juan Batista La Raya.
Alfonsina has no menu, no website, no Facebook page, not even a sign on the door.
There’s no formal kitchen, but an open-air workspace with a few tables, baskets of ingredients, and charcoal grills. He is most known for his moles and after the dinner they come to the table with a basket of the ingredients used. The depth of flavor those simple ingredients created is something I will never forget. No wonder Alfonsina won the award for being one of the 50 best restaurants in the world!
It was around $60 per person with wine, beer, or mezcal pairing. It is an absolute must if you are in Oaxaca and was an incredible dining experience. I had our taxi wait for us outside the restaurant and bring us home for a round trip cost of $35 US dollars plus tip.
Explore Alfonsina
casa silencio
Casa Silencio was a profoundly beautiful experience, I left with tears of joy.
They sent an SUV from Travel Oaxaca Premium, a luxury tour guide company, to get us at our hotel and drive for about an hour outside of Oaxaca City to the mountains.
Blended into the hills sits this stunning hotel which features multilevel guest rooms, a spa, Michelin-caliber cuisine, and a working distillery for traditional Mezcal. We did the Mezcal tour led by Yoshio (who we loved!) paired with bites of local flavors of Oaxaca that took 8 months to create.
After our tour and tasting, we had cocktails on the back patio watching the sun setting over the mountains and the animals coming back home down the dirt path. While the sun was setting we sat down for dinner at the large stone table and were presented dishes by Chef Daniel Robles Sumano that left us in tears. It was all just so beautiful and delicious!
This was a splurge and was $350 per person. It was around ~7 hours overall with transportation, mezcal tour, and a 5-course chef tasting menu. Worth every penny!
Note: If you buy mezcal at the gift shop you'll have to check your bag on the trip home. You cannot bring the bottle through security and will (unfortunately) have to throw it away.
Visit Casa Silencio
I hope you enjoyed part one of our Oaxaca itinerary and if you are ever in Oaxaca these places broadened our pallet, moved us to tears, and touched our hearts forever. I hope you get to enjoy them too.
One thing I am known for amongst my tribe is my famous roast chicken.
I have tried endless methods, stuffings, sauces, techniques, and temperatures. You name it; I've tried it. After years and hundreds of chickens this is my go-to recipe for a classic roast chicken that's perfect every time.
ingredients
1 whole organic or free range chicken
1 stick of butter
1 head of garlic
1 pint of cherry tomatoes (on or off the vine)
10 sprigs of thyme
kosher salt
1 lemon
parsley for garnish
step 1
Preheat oven to 425℉
Grab that bird and sprinkle inside a 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, stuff her with a whole head of garlic, half of the lemon, and 10 sprigs of thyme.
NOTE: This doesn't have to be exact—use more lemon if you prefer, rosemary if you have it, and skip the garlic if it doesn't agree with you! Use what you like or have on hand.
step 2
I use my lodge cast iron pan for the roast.
Put your chicken in it breast side down. Pat it completely dry and sprinkle with some kosher salt.
I use the convection feature on my oven, placing my chicken on the middle rack with the chicken thighs pointed towards the back corner. The legs take longer to cook so I find this placement optimal for cooking times and tenderness.
The breast-side-down trick will give you the crispy back skin, while the breasts stay super tender and juicy. Give it a go!
step 3
After about 1 hr and 10 min at 425℉ on convection roast, pull out the chicken and add 1 stick of butter and the pint of cherry tomatoes to the pan.
Roast for an additional 10-15 minutes.
The cherry tomatoes will start to burst and the butter melts mixing with the chicken juices creating a seriously yummy sauce.
Total cook time is 1 hr and 20-25 min to get my chicken to 165℉.
Check your chicken temp in the thickest part of the bird to make sure its fully cooked before pulling out to eat.
step 4
Take the chicken out of the pan and let it rest on your cutting board for 5-10 minutes to let the juices settle and not leak out.
Cut the chicken down the backbone and then across into 4 equal pieces. Every piece has either a wing or a leg that way and you can choose if you like dark or white meat.
Pour the sauce with the tomatoes into a serving dish and place the 4 cut chicken pieces on top. In the empty pan, I like to toast fresh bread into croutons or sliced baguette toasts and place those around the chicken to sop up the juices.
Top with Maldon salt and freshly torn parsley. Decorate the sides with sliced lemon and parsley sprigs.
Reserve the sauce on the side for people to drizzle on top of their plate as well.
complete the meal
I often roast veggies alongside my chicken on a sheet pan and add it to the serving dish.
Squash, broccolini, sautéed kale, fingerling potatoes, and farro are all great additions. Or make a warm salad with squash, pickled red onion, herbs, and a soft cheese.
Bon appetit! Tag @thehommarket and show us your amazing chickens!
Britt
I fell in love with Hangai Mountain Textiles when we met at Shoppe Object, a trade show in Manhattan.
They are a family-owned and run business with a showroom in Basalt, Colorado and a presence in Mongolia where they have lived and worked for more than a decade.
Their collection features yak down, baby camel and cashmere throws and accessories. All incredibly soft, sustainably-made, and of the highest quality.
After working with them over this past year we wanted to learn more about the people and process behind the brand.
Below, our interview with Betina Infante, owner of Hangai Mountain Textiles with her husband, Bill.
meet betina infante
What kind of kid were you? How’d you spend your days?
Adventurous, curious and always on the move… In my younger days, I spent many summer days playing in the woods bordering our house in Virginia. My brother and cousins and I would sway off rope swings and plunge into the river; we would build tree forts and run through the night catching fireflies in jar to light up our rooms. Those were the days when summer never ended.
My dad owned a small gallery/frame shop in Bethesda, MD, and I spent a great deal of time learning how to frame and just passing the time learning from him after ballet lessons.
Although my mother and father met in D.C. and spent most of their lives working in The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, they are from Argentina and Brazil, so growing up life was very colorful and filled with Brazilian and Argentine culture, and with stories of family as well as great grandparents that had immigrated from Spain and Italy to South America.
It was exciting to visit family in South America every two years, and I was eager to explore other countries. So, I convinced my parents to send me to boarding school in Europe. That was a turning point in my life.
Living with so many diverse students from different cultures was inspiring and encouraging. I knew then I would continue to travel, understand different cultures, and explore the world.
When did you know you had to create for a living? What was that realization moment like for you?
I grew up with a very creative father whose artistic influence shaped everything from the interior décor and architectural style of our home to how I viewed art and artistic expression.
Your earliest memory that led you to be a maker:
My father’s daily artistic influence, DIY approach, and intellectual encouragement compelled me to be creative; while my mother’s practicality is likely why I went into business.
I’ll never forget the year that my father decided we would not have a “real” Christmas tree, and that we would have to make one from scratch. Together we created an extraordinary cone-shaped tree from hand-strung popcorn threads and lights. It was perfect.
I’m not sure that has anything to do with why we have a textiles business today, but it certainly taught me to transform change into opportunity.
Where do you feel most connected with yourself? What is it about that place?
I spent most of my life moving from country to country, working in development and business, so my profound sense of place is with my family. They are my foundation and encourage me to thrive.
Beyond that… Brazil is a place that moves me. Perhaps it’s the force of its people, their sensibility and culture; I am obsessed with bossa nova and the poetry that permeates so many aspects of Brazilian culture.
In my every day, I feel connected with mountains, hiking and skiing among the giants, that give me perspective and the space to reflect.
What is it about working with textiles that speaks to you?
It’s fascinating to be part of a complex, family-to-family process that transforms simple raw materials into fabulously luxurious products that comfort and add joy to peoples' lives.
Describe your process and philosophy:
Our process begins with a herder family in Mongolia hand-combing the natural fibers from a cashmere goat or a majestic yak. The fiber is then purchased by the knitting and weaving families with whom we partner.
All of our collections are produced by Mongolian-owned firms (all of which happen to be family-owned) so that our supply chain partners benefit most from partnering with us.
We intentionally knit and weave all of Hangai’s products in Mongolia, because we believe that this is the most sincere expression of commitment to the families that produce our collections, and to Mongolia itself. It ensures that our production benefits the Mongolian value chain from start to finish.
We are not interested in mass-producing Hangai. We are interested in producing small volumes of high-quality, luxuriously knit blankets, throws, and home accessories, and in developing a business with purpose and soul.
Creativity is...
Transforming an idea into something real, something useful, something that feeds your soul.
What’s the hardest part of producing blankets—what does it force you to reckon with?
Beyond supply chain challenges, it’s challenging to continuously design collections that others will also appreciate.
I find myself thinking about what colors, patterns, textures will evoke a response from people in different environments, such as cities, mountains, coastal areas, and often consult with our current clients for inspiration.
The times you feel most like yourself...
Adventuring in the outdoors, discovering new places and cultures, sharing fabulous food with family and friends, and dancing.
When do you feel most inspired?
Experiencing the power of creators, innovators and artists. I’m mesmerized by the profound talent that some people possess, and how creativity can evoke emotion, encourage change and inspire action.
It inspires me to walk through the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies in Aspen and appreciate the epic influence of the Bauhaus movement on art, architecture, textiles and intellect.
It inspires me to listen to the poetry and sensibility of a Bossa Nova song.
It inspires me to see creativity bloom against all odds, like in the case of Dragana Ognjenovic, a Serbian fashion designer that produces intensely elegant, minimalist, unique clothing and homewares, despite the difficulties of everyday life in Serbia.
An artist or maker you’re crushing on right now:
Issey Miyake
What is it about their work that speaks to you in this moment?
It’s minimalist, wearable art! I admire Miyake’s stunning simplicity…and it’s incredibly challenging to create.
What restaurant do you wish you could visit right now and with whom?
The Hokkaido Japanese restaurant in Tokyo with Bill Infante.
Three songs you put on while working:
Desafinado by Joao GilbertoAguas de Marco by Elis ReginaChega de Saudade by Carlos Jobim
Your all-time favorite cocktail. Where did you first have it? Set the scene:
Smokey Hibiscus Mezcalita, which I had this April 2022 at Paradero Hotel in Mexico.
The Paradero is known for its “Brutalist” architecture. The bar is located in the hotel’s open-air dessert courtyard flanked by walls of raw concrete structures – the rooms - that blend into the dessert scape with all itsnative plants.
The bartender educated us on the beauty and history of Mezcal.
Best hotel stay EVER?
Santa Caterina in Amalfi with its glorious, cascading lemon gardens and epic view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Where are you going on your next holiday?
The Pyrenees Mountain in Northern Spain, San Sebastian, Bilbao and Asturias!
How does “place” influence your work?
Epic ideas often stem from the experiences and the community of your “place.”
For example, on a cool August evening, we sat outside with friends gazing at the stars and outline of Mount Sopris. I pulled out our Mongolian blankets to keep everyone warm as the temperatures dropped.
The next day the blankets became the conversation piece that inspired Bill, my husband, and I to explore what it would take to develop an international home textile brand that could showcased the best of Mongolia’s hand-combed cashmere, yak, and baby camel fiber.
After many conversations with Mongolian friends, research on fiber harvest and processing, textile design and production, and supply chain logistics, we took the leap and conceived a brand committed to distinguishing and promoting Mongolia’s herding, knitting, and weaving traditions: Hangai Mountain Textiles.
Thank you, Betina and Bill!
hōm turns 1 on July 17th and holy crap what a year it has been! Reflecting on everything that has happened during this trip around the sun we all deserve a big hug and a stiff drink.
I started dreaming about opening a store while at home with my infant who never slept and 2 year old toddler during the peak of the pandemic. Always wanting to own a store in the town that I live, the need to get out of the house and speak to other adults and be creative became a top priority for me. I shot up in bed one morning, told my husband my idea and fast forward a week we are liquidating our savings account (thank you Peter), re-mortgaging our home, borrowing from family (thank you mom!) and here we are. Remodeled, the shelves are stocked, artisans are lining up, and we just won Best of Westchester New Home Decor Store.
There has been challenges and changes over the course of this year of growth for us. On this quest of finding joy and figuring out how to make profit we tried many different things–interior design, showroom collaborations, classes, and partnerships. The main concept of the store has stayed the same selling unique handmade artisan goods and scouring the globe for vintage finds and that is what truly brings me joy. I feel more dialed in than ever and excited of what this store has become.
Thank you for your support, purchases, class attendance, words of encouragements, reviews, feedback, and for taking the time to read this newsletter. We wouldn't be here without you and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
THANK YOU!
We cannot wait to bring you more beauty for years to come.
Love,
Britt
Growing up in the Finger Lakes of NY I didn't appreciate how absolutely drop dead gorgeous it was! I had a wonderful childhood of being outdoors camping, skiing, hiking, and boating on Canandaigua lake surrounded by nature and down to earth people. We were married on this lake over brunch on a Sunday morning––so many good memories here!
After living there for 20 years, here is my top hits list on what to do and where to eat on Canandaigua Lake and in Rochester, NY.
Where to stay
Canandaigua Lake
Canandaigua Lake couldn't be any more beautiful with the rolling hills, crystal clear water, and the biggest fluffiest clouds in the sky.
I LOVE this lake so much and would spend most of my summer days here on friends' boats growing up in high school. Since then The Lake House on Canandaigua has been remodeled and I had the pleasure of staying there this winter for a family ski getaway. Wow it is amazing!
Situated right on the lake with stunning interiors, beautifully designed hotel rooms, a fantastic spa with barrel saunas you can rent for the hour, and delicious food–– what more could one need. My friend Jade's husband, Steven Eakins, is the executive chef of the Rose Tavern at The Lake House and his food is DELICIOUS. There is also the Sand Bar where you can pull your boat in or grab great cocktails (the local drink is the Blue Whale–– IYKYK).
Skiing
Bristol Mountain
In the winter there is great skiing about 20 minutes away from the lake in Bristol, New York, called Bristol Mountain. I grew up skiing on this mountain, and if you go you MUST stop next door to Lock Stock and Barrel and get the chicken wings. Best wings in the world and a great beer menu, nothing better after a day on the slopes.
Fingerlakes Wineries
I personally much prefer a brewery in NY to a winery but check out this link for a list of all the wineries around the Finger Lakes:
https://www.canandaigualakewinetrail.com/finger-lakes-wineries
Restaurants worth going to if you like to cook like us.
Written by my sister Caroline, who lives in Rochester, NY:
Goodluck- Village Gate, Rochester NY – I always recommend sitting at the bar and immersing yourself into one of the best restaurants in Rochester. Bring a friend or two ––everything is served family style ––my favorite kind of eating.
'In 2008, we set out to do something familiar but forever unique. Discovering a setting that couldn’t be beat, Good Luck opened in a former industrial enclave with a dedication to serving boldly seasonal cuisine, inspired cocktails, and a wine list that challenged norms. Our menu showcases comfort while inviting the courageous, while our bar invites both the spirited aficionado and the late night reveler.'
50 Anderson Ave Rochester, NY 14607
Velvet Belly- Public Market, Rochester NY – great cocktails and food is to die for, especially if you like fresh seafood.
'At Velvet Belly, Chef Jeremy Nucelli prepares dishes inspired by coastal cuisine from around the world. We also serve up whimsical and fun-loving cocktails in a lively bar atmosphere. We’re proud to be part of the thriving food and beverage community within Rochester’s Public Market.'
3 Public Market Rochester, NY 14609
Rella- Monroe Ave, Rochester NY - better book a reservation. There’s only a bar top with about 10 seats and you feel like a VIP guest every time you go. Word of mouth from this place says it has crazy good food and they are right, it’s damn good.
181 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
Old Pueblo Grill- University Ave, Rochester NY– Craving taco’s? BEST tacos in Rochester hands down.
'Opened in November 2018, Old Pueblo Grill is the embodiment of Chef Joe Zolnierowski's love affair with Tucson's Mexican street food culture. In a nod to his roots, OPG is named after Tucson's most famous nickname; Old Pueblo. While OPG is just a little taco shop, it's food personifies the bold colors and flavors of Tucson and the street food scene it represents.'
55 Russell Street, Rochester, NY 14607
A few more worth mentioning...
Dinosaur BBQ Great BBQ!!!! The BBQ of my childhood situated on the Genesee River.
99 Court St, Rochester, NY 14604
GARBAGE PLATES at Nick Tahou's: Cheese burger patties on top of mac salad, home fries, tossed with meat hot sauce and condiments. Best drunk food ever but really looks like garbage.
"Nick Tahou Hots is a Rochester, NY landmark restaurant famous for its Garbage Plate. The restaurant was founded by its namesake, Nick Tahou, who died in 1997 after running the establishment for over 50 years. Despite many regional variants all based on the same theme, Nick's is widely regarded as the original Garbage Plate."
320 W. Main St. Rochester, NY 14608
Breweries in Rochester NY:
New breweries are popping up in Rochester, NY all the time these days, it's amazing!
Other Half Brewery – Bloomfield NY- great open space with a beautiful view and a beautiful brewery. Bunch of seating space, usually have food trucks there as well. Great Beers, too!!
StrangeBird Brewery- Monroe Ave, Rochester NY – newish brewery with a great vibe and fantastic beer “Bird is the word” and the beer is good! Totally kid friendly as well with great food.
Mortalis Brewery- Avon NY – little bit of a drive but well worth it if you are a beer snob like myself.
Cocktails/ Night life:
Cheshire Cocktail bar- South wedge, Rochester NY – Shhh please don’t tell a lot of people. It’s a speakeasy above a wine bar in the South Wedge and they don’t play when it comes to cocktails.
Lux, South wedge, Rochester NY- The ultimate dive bar. Looking to get lost and never be found? Look no further. All are welcome and they sure do welcome all.
Park Avenue Bars and Restaurants
– really cute street with tons of great bars to go to – personal favorites – Half Pint and Apogee Wine Bar
Swillburger – South wedge, Rochester NY– Into classic arcade games and don’t want to hang out with 2-year olds to play them? Great bar with tons of arcade games.
Things to do with kids:
Attractions:
Roseland Waterpark, Canandaigua NY – great time to kill a few hrs. with the kids, super clean and fun water park for all ages.
Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester NY – perfect place to bring the kids!
Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester NY- Another great place to kill a few hours and your kids will thank you as well!
Radio Social, Rochester NY- Bowling alley meets cocktail bar and truly a great place to have fun!
Erie Canal in Pittsford, NY, Pittsford has an adorable downtown, with great restaurants along the Erie Canal. I love Richardson's Canal house, Pittsford Pub, Jo Jo's, Simply Crepes, and the Coal tower. Great place to take a walk with kids and eat.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments, I hope you have a wonderful time in Rochester, NY!
GO BILLS!
Britt
After ten years working as a fashion designer in Paris in houses such as Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, Sophie Agullo, the woman behind Clandestine Ceramique, moved to Galicia Spain in 2019. She started initially to explore the world of clay as, living near the Ocean, she felt she had to reconnect between earth and sea, willing to shape something from mud. After long afternoons creating, Clandestine Ceramique was born. Each piece of her collection can be seen as a love message to the Ocean, from the wavy handles to the sandy texture, and are related to another one, all together they are a family, a clan. We love that!!!
We have a limited collection of her vases here at hōm and had a fun Q + A session with Sophie about how she grew up, where she finds her inspiration, and which artists she's crushing on right now!
What kind of kid were you? How’d you spend your days—I have two elder sisters. I have always been following them like their shadow, as much as I can remember. I think I was the easy one, as I didn't want them to consider me as «the small one» and be left on the side. It's tough to be the littlest of the family ;) We had the chance to be super close –– and still are even with distance.
When did you know you had to create for a living—what was that realization moment for you?I have been a fashion designer for nearly 10 years but in the end, you spend a lot of time on the computer and I was willing for a change. I’ve been trying a lot of handmade things when I started my « adult» life, to balance with this digital life; like jewelry, embroideries, knitwear project. Ceramic just came into my life like this.
"Creativity is.... seeing things that other people don't see. For example, the other day I went to a kitchen store and went mad with all the spoons they got, I was only thinking about textures they could provide. A whole new world opening."
Where do you feel most connected with yourself? I’m still a beginner but I really feel myself connected in the water. I’ve been living near the ocean for nearly 3 years and I started surfing and I really really love it. It has that meditative quality, you better not think about anything but just the water, otherwise it can be really tough. Morning sessions are definitely the best. Actually one «gimmick» of Clandestine is «vivir al ritmo de las mareas»; living with the tides of the ocean.
What’s the hardest part of creating ceramic pieces?No doubt that physically the hardest part is the handle work, at least for me as you have to work with balance, and drying process.And then, starting a new piece and «stick to the initial plan».In the end I’ve been working with softwares like illustrator and photoshop all my life so I’m used to CTRL-Del / copy paste etc. Stick to an idea when you know you have like 1000 of other possibilities makes it hard sometimes
OK, an artist or maker you’re crushing on right now:I have two in mind : Simone Bodmer Turner and Malen Knudsen.
What is it about their work speaks to you at this moment?Their amazing works is about movement and texture.I’m in love with everything they do.
A restaurant you wish you could be at right now:Trois Fois Plus De Piment in Paris * best best Chinese food everWith who?My partner Raphael
Three songs you’d put on a road trip mix:Just came back from a Portugal trip (surf and yoga retreat) and I’m not Spanish, but the environment got me I think and I just can’t live without C Tangana anymore, ha! C Tangana - Tu me dejaste de quererMac Miller - Good News - ying oneCkay - Emiliana
Your all-time favorite cocktail. Where did you first have it?I’m not a huge drinker of alcohol I have to say.. I prefer red super super soft wine. I’m french after all ;)
Where are you going on your next holiday?It will a bit depend on my schedule but i really would like to go to Les Acores to make trekking and surf. But it’s in the Air.
Best hotel stay EVER!I’m more a camper girl ;) and I would highly recommend to those who go on a trip to Portugal to go to the Berlenga’s Island. The boat will get you there, there is nothing on the island, and you can camp anywhere. it’s an experience in itself and really really beautiful.
Thank you, Sophie! We love your work!
@clandestine_ceramique
I love living in Hastings on Hudson so much! We moved here almost six years ago, two kids and a dog later we are about to celebrate our one year anniversary of opening our store here in town. In the past six years Hastings has opened up some wonderful new restaurants and shops. Many of our downtown businesses are run by local Rivertown residents and moms! I am so proud to be apart of that gang.
Hastings on Hudson is an adorable sleepy town twelve miles North of Manhattan on the Hudson River, steps from the Metro North train, with great restaurants and home goods stores.
Here is where I love to go around Hastings on Hudson, NY, a Rivertown of Westchester.
SHOPS IN HASTINGS:
the hōm market
@thehommarket
www.thehommarket.com
You will find me here (and my Captain, Sue) Tuesday- Saturday 12-4pm and some Sundays. We sell artisan made home goods, vintage finds from around the world and speciality food pantry items. Come in and say hi––were located at 14 Spring Street.
Little House NY
@littlehouseny
www.littlehouseny.com
Little House carries a wonderful curated selection of woman's clothing, children's clothings, toys and home goods. I love her clothes and the brands she carries (a piece apart, Citizens of Humanity, Hawkins NY) Danielle has a great eye and is open Tuesday- Saturday! Located at 578 Warburton Ave.
Observatory
@theobservatoryshop
www.shoptheobservatory.com
The observatory shop is a yarn store that hosts classes, sells beautiful apparel, accessories and home goods. Amanda is the best and you will love chit chatting with her, Jackie or Joyce, I always do. Amanda is the one that taught me how to knit! Located at 5 Main Street.
In2Green Pop Up
@in2green.popup
www.in2green.com
In2Green has a lovely curated selection of eco friendly blankets that they make here in the USA, home goods, accessories, children's toys and apparel. Lori carries a great selection of cookbooks and wares. Located at 546 Warburton Ave.
Hudson Line
@Hudsonlineshop
www.hudsonline.co
Hudson Line makes FANTASTIC custom wood furniture and has a great selection of home goods at the front of his shop. The back is where Bill custom makes furniture. Bill and his wife Lorna sell handmade wooden bowls, colorful glassware and candles to name a few. He made me my dining room table (that I am obsessed with!) and is incredibly talented. Located at 541 Warburton Ave.
Lemon Terrace Florals
@lemonterraceflorals
www.lemonterraceflorals.com
As a former florist I have very high standards when it comes to floral design and Lemon Terrace fits the bill. They are known for their love of nature and that comes out in their floral designs which are more wild and unstructured. Nicole sources as locally as possible based on the seasons and has curated a great selection of apothecary goods and ceramics. Located at 3 Spring Street.
Mossy Fern
@mossy_ferns
www.mossyferns.com
I love Mossy Ferns and get my indoor plants from Harry! He has a great selection of gardening tools, planters and indoor and outdoor plants including air plants and terrariums. Located at 579 Warburton Ave #4.
Suburban Renewal
Suburban Renewal is a vintage furniture and home goods shop that has been in Hastings for over 20 years. There are wonderful finds there and great prices and everyone adores Fonda who owns the shop. Located at 1 Main Street.
EAT:
BORO 6
@boro6winebar
www.boro6winebar.com
Boro6 is my favorite restaurant in town and I order lunch from there weekly! It's truly a stunning space with a 40 foot marble horseshoe bar, cozy banquets, they serve over 40 varieties of wine, amazing cocktails, craft beers, and a mediterranean menu. They make in house homemade pastas, delicious salads, roasted fishes and veggies, braised meats and is overseen by executive chef Paul Dibari. Its owned by Paul Molakides former Eleven Madison Park Manager and his wife Jennifer Aaronson former Martha Stewart Living editor. Eating at Boro 6 is a must! Located 549 Warburton Ave.
Bread and Brine
@breadandbrinehoh
www.breadandbrinehoh.com
Bread and Brine wins the award for best seafood in town by far. Jeremy who is from Maine kills it in the seafood department with fresh lobster, great oyster selections, and seriously yummy fish and chips. If you don't eat seafood fear not there are many items on the menu and all are delicious. Pre covid they hosted trivia nights which were legendary and often throws clam bakes and lobster boils. We are so lucky to have them in our town. Located at 19 Main Street.
St. George Bistro
@stgeorgebistro
www.stgeorgebistro.com
If you are a lover of good cocktails and french food you will love St. George Bistro! Saint George is a New-French Bistro offering reworked classics like steak frites, beef tartar, and coq au vin. They serve locally caught seafood, fine meats, seasonal veggies, and French wine. Owned and operated by Jason Steinberg and executive chef is Chris Vergara, Jason owns two other restaurants, Harpers, located in the next town over Dobbs Ferry and Meritage in Scarsdale. Located at 155 South Side steps from the train with views of the Palisades and the Hudson River.
The Good Witch
@thegoodwitchcoffeebar
www.goodwitchcoffeebar.com
My favorite place to grab a coffee in town is at The Good Witch located in the Hastings train station off the Metro North track. Delicious coffees, teas, snacks, and on the weekends breakfast sandwiches and sandwiches. Joanna often throws events with live music, swing dancing nights, and hosts parties.
Photo credit NYT Tony Cenicola for main image of Hastings on Hudson
Ask any New Yorker, they'll tell you the best food ever is: PIZZA!
From our favorite, Ruth Kaplan, the former pizzaiola at Amorina in Prospect Heights, we share the best pizza dough recipe:
PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE by Ruth Kaplan
INGREDIENTS
All-purpose flour 600 g. (5 cups)
Salt 2 tsp.
Instant yeast 2 tsp.
Lukewarm water 420 g. (1 2/3 cups)
PREPARATION
STEP 1
Mix ingredients together by hand or in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Once dough has formed, knead or mix for a few minutes. Let stand, covered, 5-15 minutes to relax, then knead or mix a few more minutes until dough is well-developed. Let rise, covered for one hour. (If in a rush, skip this rise.)
STEP 2
Once dough has risen, knead gently a few times to release air bubbles. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball, then place each in a lightly oiled bowl, plastic container, or plastic bag. Cover tightly. Let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours until ready to bake. You can refrigerate for up to two days or freeze up to a month.
STEP 3
To bake, place a baking stone or upside-down baking sheet in the oven to preheat and preheat as hot as it will go (500+). Meanwhile, gently pat and stretch dough to an even thinness.
a
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Transfer to a lightly floured wooden pizza peel or flat/upside down baking sheet. Top as desired. Shake peel gently to loosen pizza, then gently transfer pizza directly to the baking stone (or upside down sheet pan). Bake until bubbling and browned, ~5-10 minutes.
YIELD: four 12-inch pizzas
COOKING NOTES
Use your grill as an outdoor pizza oven. Place baking stone or upside-down baking sheet directly on your grill grates. Preheat over medium-high for 10-15 minutes, then bake pizza directly on the stone, with the grill lid closed.
If you use a super simple tomato sauce, your other ingredients will shine. Try canned whole or crushed San Marzano tomatoes seasoned with salt and good olive oil.
Tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella contain a lot of moisture, so choose toppings that are low in moisture so your pizza doesn’t turn into a lake. Roast your mushrooms or other vegetables before using them as a pizza topping.
Add olive oil and salt to every pizza. They are your secret weapons!
RUTH'S FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPINGS + TOOLS
o White pizza: fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano with prosciutto and arugula placed on top after baking
o Steamed, chopped kale sautéed in olive oil with garlic, hot pepper and salt with fresh mozzarella and grated pecorino
o Margherita pizza: tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella with black olives, capers and tons of fresh basil
o Fresh corn kernels, mozzarella, Parmigiano, cooked pancetta or bacon, and arugula on top
TOOLS + INGREDIENTS: pizza peel, flour, San Marzano canned tomatoes, olive oil
ABOUT RUTH KAPLAN
RUTH's chops were forged in kitchens across New York—in fact, she’s rolled enough dough to stretch from New York to Miami. At Balthazar Bakery she learned the techniques behind the breads and pastries that lined the shelves like edible jewels and she slung pies as a sous chef at Pulino’s Bar & Pizzeria in Manhattan. She's the hōm market's go-to pizza pro!
TELL US!
Your favorite toppings, top tips for the best pizza ever! We love to hear your take, comment below:
