Here's an encore blog from my visit to Shelter Island last year. This one originally ran on August 31st, 2022.
With its stunning water views and gentle bay breezes, Shelter Island, nestled between the North and South Forks of Long Island, New York is a wonderful place to visit.
Last week, I was invited to a summer soirée at the historic Pridwin Hotel & Cottages in Shelter Island Heights overlooking the breathtaking Peconic Bay. My friends, Susan Magrino, Kevin Sharkey, and Terre Blair joined me for a lovely evening of great food and cocktails hosted by fashion designer Dennis Basso and his husband, Michael. The Pridwin, part of Cape Resorts, celebrates its 95th anniversary this year following a complete renovation of its 33 rooms and 16 private cottages - all designed in a timeless and casual palette of bright, playful colors.
Here are some photos from our visit to The Pridwin, enjoy.
It was a perfect evening for a late summer dinner. Here I am with our host, Dennis Basso, and Curtis Bashaw, managing partner of Cape Resorts, which oversaw The Pridwin’s extensive two-year renovation.
Here is Dennis standing by the beautiful table set for 30 out on the deck with gorgeous views of the Peconic Bay.
My seat looked out onto the water. Our dinner included a tomatoes and burrata salad, roasted chicken panzanella with artichokes, baby tomatoes and a bacon vinaigrette, and for dessert – Pridwin’s classic ice cream cookie sandwich.
Here I am with Curtis and Will Riccio. I’m holding a charming Pridwin tote bag – every guest went home with one.
The next day, Kevin took photos of the resort and its breathtaking waterfront views. The Pridwin sits on more than seven-acres overlooking Shelter Island’s pristine Crescent Beach.
Here is the entrance with its bright and inviting yellow glass front door.
Just inside behind the reception desk is a wall of keys – one to each of the 49 rooms and cottages.
This welcoming fireplace is located in the general living room of The Pridwin with the original hotel shield hanging overhead.
Not far is the Pridwin’s Crescent Bar with its whimsical red, white and pink cabana stripe awning and bar stools upholstered in a warm pink fabric. The renovation project’s design was under the direction of Colleen Bashaw, Curtis’ sister and VP of design for Cape Resorts. She says “The Pridwin was based upon the hotel’s image of classic Adirondack summer camps and cottages” – a playful mix of old and new. (Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts)
Outside is The Pridwin’s expansive pool – also with views to the bay. (Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts)
This is The Pridwin Hotel Maintenance Shed which is kept in immaculate condition. Kevin loved all the organization, but who wouldn’t?
Every cord is coiled perfectly and hung on the wall.
Here, Curtis poses with Edgardo Munoz, one of two who run the shed – it’s very impressive.
In this photo, Curtis is joined by Paul Gorra, who is also responsible for this workshop.
Many of the key elements of the original structure remain, including the exterior crisp white paint with the signature hunter green window casements.
The Pridwin was named after Pridwen from the legends of King Arthur, the name of Arthur’s shield, which translates to ‘pride in winning’.
Looking out from this lawn is another view of the Peconic Bay – the parent name for two bays between the North Fork and South Fork of New York’s Long Island. It is separated from Gardiners Bay by Shelter Island and is divided by Robins Island into the Great Peconic Bay on the west and Little Peconic Bay on the east.
Here is one of the docks off Crescent Beach. Located on the North side of the island, Crescent Beach spans more than half a mile long.
Kevin also captured this stunning image of another dock – one never tires of these gorgeous views. See lots of Kevin’s photos on his Instagram page @seenbysharkey.
And here is a view heading back home aboard the North Ferry. What a lovely time spent on Shelter Island. If you’re ever in the area and want to treat yourself and your family to a special beachfront getaway, check out The Pridwin.
Here's another memorable blog from our visit to Woodbury, Connecticut. It was originally posted on September 5th, 2018. Enjoy.
If you’re ever in or around western Connecticut and love visiting small, charming towns or shopping for antiques, I encourage you to make a stop in the quaint hamlet of Woodbury.
Nestled in the foothills of Litchfield County, Woodbury is known as the “Antiques Capital of Connecticut.” This reputation was established more than 50-years ago when antiques dealers began setting up shops in the historic homes along Main Street. Now the area has more than 35 antiques stores featuring some of the best in period furniture, decor, and art. Woodbury is also filled with beautiful churches and inns, and excellent restaurants and cafes. I've been to Woodbury many times and have always enjoyed my visits there - I know you will too.
Yesterday, my assistant went to Woodbury to pick up something I had recently purchased. This is Tucker Frey Antiques, a shop specializing in 18th and early 19th century pieces. http://www.walinfreyantiques.com/
I had purchased these two antique windows from Tucker Frey, last month, at the New Hampshire Antiques Show. These windows are 300-years old.
They came from a church in Sheffield, Massachusetts. I love the shape and architecture of these windows.
Tucker’s shop has many treasures including William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Federal period furniture and accessories.
Here is a folk art portrait of a boy and his dog from the early 1800s.
This tabletop figure of a woman and her hat probably came from a 19th-century milliner’s shop.
Here is a beautiful antique chest with original brass hardware – everything is in such excellent condition.
Here is one of several copper molds at Tucker’s shop – this lion is quite rare. Molds were popular during the Victorian Era for both savory and sweet dishes. I have collected many molds over the years.
This is an antique pheasant weather vane mounted on a wooden stand.
Next door to Tucker Frey Antiques is Cedar Meadow Store – an antiques shop with whimsy. Owners, Veronica Martin and Jim Orsi both enjoy color, graphics, nature, and folk art. On a center of this table is a taxidermy kingfisher under a glass dome. It is early 20th century from a Natural History Museum in Italy.
This large “store” sign is original from 1850.
This is a set of Victorian nesting blocks.
And here – two Hubley cast iron Boston Terrier door stops. In front of them are modern Tatine votive candles.
Woodbury is very historic. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sits across the street from Tucker’s shop. It was first organized in 1740.
In 1961, a new parish house was attached to St. Paul’s. The land under the parish house had belonged to the Town of Woodbury, which sold the property to the church in 1959 for a dollar.
Further down Main Street is The Elemental Garden. Unfortunately, it was closed at the time. http://www.theelementalgarden.com/
The Elemental Garden focuses on rare and authentic garden antiques, bold furnishings, and unusual decorative accessories – the walkway to the entrance was decorated with this quaint arbor.
Along the driveway are several ornamental garden statues. This is a set of four lead figures, each representing a different season, raised on large plinth blocks of limestone. They were once part of Oprah Winfrey’s personal collection.
These are covered marble mid-18th century urns hand-carved by a master Italian artisan in Marchese.
This is the Woodbury Public Library. The town’s library first opened in 1851 with a collection of 200-books. It moved to this location in 1902. In its earliest days, the library was governed by several rules including “books could be drawn on the first Thursday of each month, and three-cent fines were levied for damages such as turned down pages or ink spots.”
Not far is the Woodbury Town Hall Building.
The Red Barn Thrift Shop is the go-to place for gently used clothing, household items, books, linens.
The sign next to the door listed its hours and times. Unfortunately, this day was a Tuesday…
Next door is the Red Barn’s other building called the Parsonage Boutique, where most of the clothing items are displayed for visitors.
Wayne Mattox Antiques is a trusted source for 18th and 19th century American furniture, paintings and folk art as well as primitives and antiques with historic appeal. https://www.antiquetalk.com/
The gallery is housed in a classic Greek revival home. This handsome wooden figure sits by the front door.
Wayne has many beautiful antique weather vanes such as this cow with a beautiful patina – the green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period of time.
This is a horse weather vane. A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock, is an instrument showing the direction of the wind. They often sit atop houses or tower buildings.
This is a giant wooden antique post topper from the early 19th century.
Woodbury is also home to this charming old hardware and feed store, CL Adams Company.
Housed in a converted barn, the stalls are used for storing farm animal feed and supplies.
There are also smaller, hand-packed bags of birdseed.
Inside the store, vintage shelving holds an array of cabinet hardware.
And of course, old fashioned gumball machines for its younger visitors.
Many shops along and around Main Street are listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, such as the B. Bourgeois Lighting Building, a gallery of historic lighting fixtures. This structure was originally built in the late 1700s.
I hope you get the opportunity to visit this wonderful New England town – steeped in history, charm, and filled with many antique treasures.
My blog team is taking a brief summer break, so for the next week we'll be posting some of our favorite blogs from years past. This one was originally posted on June 27th, 2022 - a fun evening at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. Enjoy the look back.
The 2022 Summer Season at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is underway - I hope you take the opportunity to attend one of their events if you're in the area.
Caramoor, which is not far from my Bedford, New York farm, is an 80-acre former estate where Lucie and Walter Rosen built an Italianate-style villa and gardens to entertain their friends from around the world. In 1946, the Rosens opened their property as a performing arts center, which now hosts summer concert series, historic house tours, educational programs, and other outdoor affairs and performances. Earlier this month, I attended Caramoor's special Opening Night Gala to celebrate its 77th season of events. The evening included cocktails, dinner, and a spectacular performance by The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma.
Enjoy these photos, and please visit the website at caramoor.org to see what events are being offered in the coming weeks.
On the expansive Caramoor grounds, guests are welcomed by this commissioned sound art sculpture, in”C”, created by Trimpin. Born Gerhard Trimpin, Trimpin is a kinetic sculptor, sound artist, and musician. His work integrates sculpture and sound across a variety of media. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
The Rosens built the estate and Tuscan-style villa gradually during the 1930s, importing many architectural and decorative items from Europe. The estate became a center for the arts and music following the World War II death of the Rosen’s son. The couple donated the property in their son’s memory, and it quickly became an established summer festival venue. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
During the Summer Season, guests can sit on Friends Field to watch various outdoor musical performances. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
At the Opening Night Gala, we all gathered for dinner under the large tent. Dinner was prepared by Great Performances. It included burrata, spring peas and greens with favas, edamame, and lemon vinaigrette along with a vegetable mosaic of chioggia beets, carrots, radishes, and chickpea mousse. The second course was grilled beef filet with tarragon roasted baby carrots, green peas, and king oyster mushrooms. And for dessert – lemon curd and light lemon mousse with blueberry and mint petit fours. (Photo by Julie Ades Richter)
Caramoor President and CEO Ed Lewis III took to the podium and welcomed all the guests to the Opening Night Gala.
Comments were also given by Vice-Chairman, Peter Kend.
Featured wines on this evening included 2016 The Napa Valley Reserve Kend Family Reserve and a 2021 Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc.
(Photo by Gabe Palacio)
Opening Night at Caramoor, Katonah’s wonderful music festival, is always a festive affair. The audience was packed and very enthusiastic about the performances and the music. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
This is Caramoor Chairman of the Board Jim Attwood. Jim has served on the Board of Trustees for more than 15 years. He is a personable and knowledgeable music aficionado who loves Caramoor.
On this night, attendees celebrated the transformative philanthropy of Leslie Williams and Jim Attwood. They have done so much to support Caramoor over the years.
Here, Ed introduces evening’s performance from The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma.
This is the inside of the Venetian pavilion. The Theater is set around Greek and Roman marble columns topped by Venetian arches and protected by a billowy tent. It’s always brilliantly lit and the acoustics excellent. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
This is violinist and composer, Colin Jacobsen. He is a touring member of Yo-Yo Ma’s famed musical ensemble and an artistic director for The Knights.
And here is renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo graduated from the Juilliard School and Harvard University and attended Columbia University and has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He has recorded more than 90 albums and received 19 Grammy Awards.
Yo-Yo’s primary performance instrument is a 1733 Montagnana cello. Yo-Yo is well known for his smooth, rich tone and virtuosity.
Yo-Yo and Colin along with the entire ensemble played so beautifully together. Included in their musical program – Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Scott Joplin’s The Maple Leaf Rag and The Chrysanthemum, and Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
It was a a great show and a wonderful evening. Colin and Yo-Yo enjoyed performing as much as we enjoyed watching.
Upcoming performances at Caramoor include J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano with Bradley Moore on the piano on July 7th. (Photo courtesy of Caramoor)
Another event features The Chevalier: A Concert Theater Work About Joseph Bologne Written and Directed by Bill Barclay which is on July 10th. (Photo courtesy of Caramoor)
And this weekend to celebrate Independence Day on July 2nd, is Pops & Patriots
Westchester Symphonic Winds – Curt Ebersole, conductor, Christine Taylor Price, soprano, and Thomas West, baritone. Please see the Caramoor website for a full calendar of upcoming events and tickets. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
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