After spending the last few weeks doing decorating and renovating grunt work, it was time to get to the fun part: antiquing. I have always heard Rhinebeck, NY, was filled with incredible antique stores, flea markets–even the yard sales were supposed to be phenomenal. The tiny historic town is located about two hours north of New York City in Dutchess County and, not only were the antique reviews true, but the town itself was adorable!
We spent the day walking up and down the main drag of Montgomery and Market Streets, stopping by Beekman Arms, the oldest inn in America, eating at Terrapin, a restaurant in a converted chapel (above), picking through yard sales on side streets, browsing home design stores (Hammertown Barn and Paper Trail were particularly cute) and, of course, milling around antique shops. Behind the Beekman Arms Inn is their Antique Market and Gallery–a definite must. It is filled with about 25 dealers stalls and the pieces range from neoclassical to Americana. Asher House across the street had a great collection of refined Americana as well but the more we walked around the town (which is about 3 blocks big), we realized that the real origin of the Rhinebeck antique fame stems from the dealers off their highways.
I almost bought these sweet early 19th century French side chairs at the Beekman Antiques Market but since they were wobbly and a bit expensive, I passed (though I am having serious regrets).
We drove down Route 9 towards Red Hook and hit Cider Mill Antiques, Red Hook Antiques Center and the Portly Pug, but the gem of all gems that we found was the Old Country Store on the way to Red Hook. Store is a bit of a glamourization, since the majority of the display is on the owner’s lawn, but a gem none the less. After living in a practically unfurnished home for the last two months, we shopped like there was no tomorrow. We bought a desk, two mirrors, a chest of drawers, andirons, and antique windows. (Those purchases and the furniture projects that will ensue from them are for whole other blog. Stay tuned!).
The only disappointment of the weekend was that we were one weekend too early October 11-12 is the true Rhinebeck Antiques Fair! I suggest a Rhinebeck shopping venture any time of the year but if there was any particular weekend, it would be this Saturday and Sunday. I wish I could be there, so if you can, shop and think of me.
In designing our new apartment, a lot of elements are still fuzzy but one thing I’ve always known is: Each bedroom will have a wallpapered accent wall. Maybe this is because wallpapering is practically forbidden in the land of renters, but it is most of all an excuse for wild pattern. If placed right, it can be the surprise in the room. I chose two fantastically bold prints but put them on the least visible wall, so you have to round a corner or do a 180 to notice them.
For the guest bedroom accent wall, the shimmer and pop of 
I had the papers picked out for months but the motivation to hang them didn’t come as quickly. The more I read up on the topic and the more I talked to those who’ve wallpapered, I felt the consensus was: Get help. Even Good Housekeeping: The Complete Household Handbook, a publication known for its consumer empowerment, suggests hiring a professional! Nervous but not discouraged, we bought the supplies, primed the wall, cut the paper to size, then plumbed, pasted, booked, hung, shifted, smoothed, trimmed, and sponged until it was done at one o’ clock in the morning. And that was only one wall.
Albeit time consuming, the process is not as difficult as everyone made it out to be. It just takes an incredibly meticulous and patient person–thank you Mike for getting me through this–and a love of pattern.
