You Should Love Where You Live

Love Where You Live: At Home in the Country arrived about the time I was getting my house ready to be shot for Spaces Kansas City.  While I loved the book at first sight, I was momentarily distracted by an uncontrollable mania to “finish up” some things around here.

Then, earlier this week, I received a lovely email from an old friend that, while completely unrelated, served as a mental nudge to revisit  Joan Osofsky’s book.  If you stop here to visit very often you know that I have an affinity for people who have emotional attachments to things.

Not things like BMWs and the recognizable jewel of the moment, but old things.  Sometimes rusty things.  Often not very expensive things.

So Osofsky, who owns Hammertown Barn, a handful of lifestyle stores in Hudson Valley and the Berkshires, struck a chord with her book of her customers’ homes which echo her aesthetic of cozy sophistication.

Her own houses open and close the book and it was the later (the last) that drew a sharp intake of breath and elicited the thought, “I want to live just like that.”

You can find Love Where You Live here and more about Osofsky and her shop and philosophy here.

All images courtesy of Rizzoli New York; photography John Gruen.

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9 thoughts on “You Should Love Where You Live

  1. Patricia I truly loved Joan's book!
    So many images mixing the old patina so cherished with new craftsmanship to take your breath away!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2013 Artist Series!

  2. OK. I'm standing up and cheering here in Lawrence, Kansas. The downside of the internet is that we have seen the contracting of of style with the all white rooms leading the heap. I'm sick of that.

    As a word girl, I am always drawn to the story. And nothing tells a story like patina, or the wild search, the gift from a loved one, your own personal history.

    My late MIL said she wanted four boys. She got two. And by the time I came along she was hungry to tell the stories of her things. She'd place an object in my hand and off we'd go to the land of who, what, where, why and how—and then some. She died early at 59. I knew her only four years. I treasure the lovelies that were hers, now mine. I'm the period after a long sentence and now my job is to pass these things on to non family people who will treasure the object and the story. That will be my litmus test: if you don't honor the story, next please!

  3. Oh my dear Mrs. Blandings, please do try to see the whole board. BMWs are often old, rusty and inexpensive. I would not voluntarily part with my 24 year old E30 for anything. The attachment is wholehearted and complete. It's all a matter of perspective.

    ~ESM

  4. I think you are particularly adept at 'loving where you live', based on reading your blog through the years. I remember asking you what your dream house would be like – a question for a blog post, but also a way to discern what my favorite bloggers defined as their 'dream house'. You lived in the old house at the time, and gamely answered my question, but what I remember is that it wasn't so much about the house as the people in it, the memories, and the sentimental things that are part of the decor, things with stories and things that will create new stories through the years.

    Oh, this is getting too long, but I received a delivery of furniture this week from my sister, who had two houses (both full of furniture), sold both, and redecorated the new house with a new designer who wanted to put his own imprint on the design and the house (and he was right). One of the items is an old tall chest that was my grandmothers. As I opened the drawers, I was filled with memories of staying with my grandmother for several weeks during the summer – my sister and I would rotate years getting 'the big bedroom' – and that chest was part of the big bedroom. It was an old house, so chests were used for storage as the closet space was tight. I would spent much time rummaging through the drawers, which are still lined with the same paper.

    Hope you have a happy weekend!

    – Holly

  5. I was not familiar with this book. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. It looks wonderful. I adore that eating area with the beautiful mustard cupboard!

  6. I am so glad you brought this book to my attention. My house is filled with American Antiques and this is a wonderful resource!

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