Let Me Introduce You: Zoe Zilian of Farmhouse Pottery

Spring has come very late to Vermont this year but with recent warmer weather and rain the dormant landscape is finally showing signs of green. I find myself coming out of my own winter hibernation and on discovering the work of a talented local artisan, felt inspiration stirring and wanted to share a fabulous find with you.

From its early history, Vermont has been a magnet for creative people. Inspired by the landscape's abundant natural beauty, the Green Mountain State's verdant hills and sparkling river valleys have been enticing artists of every school to settle and work in its picturesque hamlets.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting one such individual, Zoe Zilian, the designer and visionary behind Farmhouse Pottery. Zoe and her artist husband met in college where they formed a creative collaboration that grew with their relationship. Shortly after getting married in 2003 they founded a high-end lighting company which met with great success following their first showing at Atlanta's Home and Gift Market.

Within a few years they left the city to pursue a pastoral lifestyle in the charming community of Woodstock, Vermont. Even as their family grew, the pair's creative collaboration never ceased as the couple made time for projects that began as self-fulfillment and eventually grew into the Farmhouse Pottery line.

Initially selling their handcrafted pottery - durable American stoneware - at regional farmer's markets, the collection grew to include local farm products, bath and beauty treatments, and candles, all available in Zoe's online shop. And, in addition to the skincare products available on her website, Zoe crafts the seasonal signature treatments used in the luxury spas at the Woodstock Inn and the Stowe Mountain Lodge.

As the business expanded, Zoe stayed true to her vision of creating "lasting, generational pieces," that she describes as "authentic work, inspired by the rural Vermont landscape, the outdoors and nature." That is Zoe below, photographing the 'pantry bowl.'

It is an ideal drawn from her family's own chosen lifestyle,

And as Zoe says, "The inspiration keeps growing."

all photography and styling by Zoe Zilian, ©Farmhouse Pottery

To see the full line of pottery, home accessories, gifts and Vermont farm products visit Zoe's website: Farmhouse Pottery. For Boston area friends, Good at 133 Charles Street will be hosting a Farmhouse Pottery trunk show on Thursday, May 16 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please stop by.

Words To Decorate By

"People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers." - Rose Tarlow in The Private House

London's Antiques and Textiles Fair

A few weeks ago I learned about London's Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair from Karin at La Pouyette. Fortunately, the event coincided with my trip to England last week and Karin emailed me an invitation. The show is known to be an excellent resource of painted Swedish and Gustavian furniture. Held in Battersea Park, the location is easy to access as shuttle service is provided from Sloane Square. Following are a few favorite sightings.

This Swedish blue painted Bureau Bookcase, circa 1770, from The Blanchard Collective.

Dealers Bie Baert, based in Belgium, and Odette Welvaars, based in The Netherlands, told me they were exhibiting at the fair for the first time. They shared a stunning booth that had several outstanding pieces including these 18th-century green Swedish chairs.

The French Country Living Antiques space was a feast for the eyes.

Several things from Victoria Harvey caught my eye: this Swedish painted desk,

This set of chairs and the huge bookcase behind them,

 And this serpentine chest of drawers with a gorgeous patina.

One of my favorite exhibiting shops was Maison Artefact. The long narrow, dining table in the center was fabulous. (Antique rocking horses were plentiful, I saw several examples throughout the fair.)

This secretary might have been my favorite piece in the booth.

Another standout exhibitor was Appley Hoare Antiques.

They had loads of beautiful, antique glass.

I loved these 20th-century Swedish dining chairs.

And I am becoming obsessed with deep-dyed monogrammed linens.

I think they would be gorgeous combined with these 19th-century French Gien plates (a set of 78!) on the Maison Artefact table.

A few things that figured prominently in several booths: intaglios - these from Julian Carr Linford who has a shop in Portobello Road,

Herbaria - this extensive folio from Gaby van Schagen who is based in The Netherlands,

And green enamel, industrial pendant lights - these from Fontaine are circa 1930.

Katharine Pole had some of the most beautiful antique textiles I have seen. She had a few pillows on display and stacks of beautiful pieces ready for one's own creations.

And Puckhaber Decorative Antiques had the most beautiful collection of French and Italian chairs. This circa 1820 Empire, not quite matched pair, have been scraped to their original paint.

The finish on these Italian, circa 1880 arm chairs is original.

I think this 19th-century French Empire style chair upholstered in grey linen is perfection.

Another fabulous booth was Martin D. Johnson Antiques. While its offerings were somewhat similar to my other favorites, it stood out with a fresh, youthful feeling.

A charming feature of the fair is that it is 'dog friendly.' I saw a number of visitors with dogs in tow and several exhibitors had dogs, of all sizes, in their booths - usually curled up on a priceless looking chair.

Les Sardines London

I have been in London for the last few days visiting my sister and yesterday had the great pleasure of meeting a new friend.

A few months ago I was searching the internet for some grey candles made in Sweden and was led a lovely shop, Les Sardines, that not only had exactly what I was looking for, but was absolutely filled with beautiful things.

The shop was in London so I sent an email enquiry to ask if the candles could be shipped to the US, and then clicked on the Pinterest button in the sidebar to have a look at the shop owner's boards because I could tell we shared similar taste.

Well, it was no surprise when I was led to someone I knew well from Pinterest, Leopoldina Haynes. If you are not already following Leo, you must and you will find her on Pinterest here.

After connecting by email we made plans to meet during my next trip to England, and yesterday my sister and I went to meet Leo and visit Les Sardines in person. The shop is divine and Leo could not have been lovelier.

Here are the candles that serendipitously brought us together.

The shop carries furniture, soft goods, table top and decorative items and, of course, the most beautiful candles.

Here is the absolutely darling Leopoldina and her partner at Les Sardines, Miguel.

The charming storefront.

Les Sardines is located in Abbeville Village at 63 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JW. If you find yourself in London, stop in, and Leo does ship to the US so visit the website here.

Multi-Tasking

Like most people engaged in creative fields, I 'wear many hats.' My work is varied and I certainly see that as a positive. In addition to interior decorating, I have done window displays for a retail shop and home styling for real estate photography. Recently I had the pleasure of working on one such job with my husband and the brilliant interiors photographer Timothy Peters at a very interesting property near Woodstock, Vermont. I wanted to share some photos of it here because it is such a cool house.

The exterior has an Eastern simplicity that belies what the interior holds.

The interior is dramatic. Two of my favorite features are the very high ceilings which give the house an incredible sense of spaciousness,

And the vast expanses of windows which are all unadorned. The house has unimpeded views of the surrounding landscape from every angle.

The jewel in the kitchen is a cobalt blue Lacanche range with a pretty backsplash of Dutch Delft tiles.

Also, it is rare for me when on these jobs to feel such an affinity for the home owner's decorating style. I loved the liberal use of chandeliers and oversize mirrors throughout the house. It has a very European feeling.

And those urns are fairly stunning.

Something else I loved about this house...it is one story. I am a fan of single-level living, and always have been. The two apartments I have inhabited remain favorite spaces. I wonder what that says about me?

The acreage features a large barn and I had to include this beautiful photo that Tim - who is truly an artist - took of a small section of it. The day we shot these photos the temperature was below zero. You can see the cold in the glass panes.

For more photos and information about the house (for those of you looking for the perfect Vermont escape) visit the property website.

And I will leave you with a funny story in the theme of 'wearing many hats' - a few years ago I was moving into an office in a small building in town that housed mostly mental health practitioners and massage therapists. My door was open as a technician from the phone company was there installing the phone and fax lines, and my 'neighbor' stopped by to welcome me to the building. She asked if I was a psychiatrist and I said, "No, I am a decorator." From the floor the phone technician piped up, "Isn't that the same thing?"