Friday Favorites 8/12/2011

August 12, 2011

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor
I have loved the work of Sixx Design ever since we featured their Massachusetts getaway in our May/June 2008 issue. That was before the book, Downtown Chic, and before their HGTV show, Home by Novogratz. Known for their great sense of color and scale, they now have a paint collection with Stark Paint. Better than the gorgeous colors is the fact that it’s kid- and pet-friendly and meets LEED standards for environmental safety. Let’s not forget it comes in a great-looking can!

Jared Ainscough, Assistant Art Director
When our production manager, Glenn Sadin, heard I lived in southern New Hampshire, he asked if I’d ever been on the New Hampshire Antiques Trail. I told him I hadn’t, so he went to his desk and pulled out a pamphlet from Antiques at Mayfair in Amherst. The back of the pamphlet had a map with all the antiques shops along Route 101 and the surrounding area.

The following weekend my wife and I stopped at all the shops, marveling at the hidden gems right in our own backyard. I won’t lie and say that everything we saw was a hidden treasure (and what antiques shop would be complete without a little junk?), but the abundance of it all was striking. I’m confident I could have found a quality antique of absolutely anything if I’d had enough time.

My personal favorite was Robin’s Egg, in Milford, but Glenn swears by the 101-A Antique & Collectible Center in Amherst. I suggest taking a week off of work and getting lost on the trail. Who knows what could be hiding there?

Karin Lidbeck Brent, Contributing Editor
If you happen to be strolling along the coast of Fairfield County there is a fanciful, fun shop to explore–especially if you are a flea market, vintage, repurposed or one-of-a-kind treasure hunter. Flea is an adorable, stylish shop in Rowayton that’s tucked behind Main Street in a renovated garage. Flea exudes charm with its selection of great gifts, vintage furniture, home decor items and stylish textiles, plus some great fashion items, all thrown together creatively with yummy local baked goods. This cute shop is totally thinking outside of the box, fresh and absolutely worth a visit.