WRITTEN BY COLLEEN COLEMAN of CMC DESIGN STUDIO LLC
Colleen Coleman is the Principal of CMC Design Studio LLC located in Saratoga Springs. With certifications in Kitchen & Bath Design, Aging in Place and True Color Expert, her curated design extends into all areas of her field including new construction, historical and major renovations. Her passion is in designing & customizing hand-crafted cabinets for all areas of the residential market.
I can’t tell you what a fab-u-lous summer it has been.
The people, the travel and the gatherings! From wild cheering at trackside to trips across country to see friends and family; gatherings full of favorite wines and summer iced beverages. Now, it is time to begin the process of closing up the gardens, letting the cool air in at night and sending the kiddies off for another school year. It’s a time of preparing for the cooler days…and to do this, we need to love on our local shops who have all we need to deck out our interiors. I can smell the fresh morning air as I write…it calls me out of my studio and into the streets of Saratoga and beyond…I can’t wait to share with you all what I have found for this fall season!
Accents at Allerdice
2570 U.S. 9, Malta
www.allerdice.com
518-899-6222
Accents at Allerdice always has great selections for your home... it’s a treasure chest of gifts, goodies and feel-good décor. Take a look at this Woven Bankuan & Metal Foldable House Shelf, standing at 54” tall and 32” wide. Its slim depth of 12” is perfect for books at a child’s level or an added storage area in a bath for guest towels and essentials. The two shelves offer an abundance of storage while the foldability permits you to tuck it away if only needed for guests!
And can you say “ADORABLE!” to this Hand-Woven Bankuan Lion Basket? What a great gift for a baby shower filled with needed blankets and rattles, or a sweet toy caddy to encourage little ones to pick up after play! Wait, yes, I had to look up Bankuan myself! It is the once ignored seagrass, unlike hemp which is grown in a field. Dried stalks are hand twined together to create the raw material for crafting called salapid…a word that usually means braid. Look closely, both of these are made of a braided twine… My job is done here!
The Magic Moon
15 -17 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
www.facebook.com/magicmoon518
518-583-2488
Onto The Magic Moon located on Phila Street in Downtown Saratoga. A menagerie of unique metaphysical selections from jewelry, clothing and accessories to crystals and incense. It’s one of those tiny side street shops that is bursting with specialty items. Upon my entry to the back room, there on the wall was displayed a Hand-Woven Blanket of Jerry Garcia, yup…the one and only. Crafted by a local artisan, there are only a few to be had. Even my editor commented on how nice it would be to cuddle up with Jerry! Or if you are into serialism or abstract art, they have an array of Art Pieces by Rio Vassallo.
His work, according to his bio is “somewhere between visionary and surreal, his work is not just appealing to the eye, but provokes thought.” As I was looking for one of his pieces to feature, this caught my eye… “Four Men Being Abducted by A Figment of Their Collective Imaginations.” When I saw this piece, I had my own interpretation... which art should have on you... my senses immediately comprehended a crossing over; leaving the path forged and into the unknown. Very thought provoking indeed. They have many of his pieces, be sure to ask where to find Rio’s collection.
On Broadway, Silverwood Home & Gallery always has the items needed for entertaining in style! Take for instance these Initial Cheese Board Sets made in Vermont. I love picking these up for a “Thank You” gift when visiting friends, it makes a perfect hosting gift... just add a raffia ribbon to compose the perfect presentation! Another great find are these Framed Maps & Images of Saratoga and the Adirondacks. The shadow boxes are crafted from barn wood with descriptive text floating above on the glass, offering a vintage feel, almost timeless…perfect for a Saratoga Home!
Earl B. Feiden Appliance
1771 U.S. 9, Clifton Park | 518-383-2215
785 U.S. 9, Latham | 518-785-8555
www.EarlBFeiden.com
Let’s talk appliances for a bit, shall we? You all know how I love this subject. Hey, if we have to cook and clean, it may as well be a pleasant experience and Earl B. Feiden’s knows how to deliver! I can’t say enough about this product, the LG 24” Steam Styler. It is perfect for refreshing your clothing, including cold weather wool coats, throw pillows, children’s stuffed animals and best of all, taking the much-enjoyed firepit smell out of your favorite fall cuddle-up sweater! In 45-minutes they are like new. No need to send these items to the dry cleaner, it's 24” of sheer refreshing magic! And now that you don’t have to drive to drop those clothes off, why not stroll over to your personal Signature Kitchen Suite Integrated Wine Tower for a toast to a good day! You all know how I love my wine. This beautiful creation just makes my heart swoon with three zones of preservation perfection, protection against ultraviolet light; ultimate vibration and humidity control, and exterior touch control lighting to view your collection without compromising the towers consistent temperature. I’m in heaven! Did you know that the cork requires humidity?! …65% or greater to properly enclose the fermented grapes we love so much! So go ahead, treat yourself this fall season…and your wine collection too!
I need to sit down so I am headed to Old Brick Furniture... with seven locations in the Capital District, I shouldn’t have any trouble finding one. With the Showcase of Homes top of our minds these days, you can find several items from Old Brick Furniture throughout the show houses. Bella Builders’ home, located at 11 Shaw Drive in Saratoga Springs, is proudly displaying the Soliloquy Camille King Bed with side Panels.
Add a comfy and cozy atmosphere to a bedroom with a lush headboard adorned with subtle tufting. The cooler days of Fall don’t stand a chance against this luxury that calls you to stay in bed for just a little while longer. Hosting a dinner party without a dining table? Let me help! The Modern Robards 54” Round Dining Table could be the centerpiece you have been looking for! Full of carefree charm, this quartz topped table is supported by a neatly ridged metal base in bronze. Perfect for lazy mornings and coffee for two or hosting friends for a late-night bite to eat and after dinner conversation. I’ve intrigued you, haven’t I? Well, head over to the McPadden House on 67 Waterview Dr. in Saratoga Springs to see it for yourself. I’m betting you’ll fall in love right there on the spot!
Back to wine... I know not everyone has a vast collection, nor do you finish the bottle in one evening. So let me introduce you to the Plum Wine Dispenser, found at Marcella’s Appliance. Plum preserves two bottles of wine at the exact temperature noted by the winemaker for up to 90 days! ...That is quite impressive! To dispense the wine at your leisure, the motorized needle pierces the foil, or any type of closure on the bottle as it is inserted into the cavity, perfectly preserving the wine with argon gas. The integrated, refillable canister preserves up to 150 standard, 750ml bottles! It even has wine recognition, labeling each bottle on the 7” touch screen with a “virtual sommelier” that will educate you about your favorite wines. This unit can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen design, creating a centerpiece for like-minded connoisseurs like yourself. And if we have any readers who just L.O.V.E. to cook but are looking for the high-end range experience without maybe all that high-end cost, check out the Fisher Paykal RHV3-484-N Dual Fuel Range. It’s 48" of pure cooking joy…4 sealed dual flow burners deliver up to 23,500 BTU while the 4 induction cooking zones can deliver 3700W to boil any size pot or simmer chocolate for hours. Pair the zones together to create two SmartZones for large cooking pots or a griddle. With a total oven capacity of 6.9 cu ft, you can cook your turkey, sides and rolls all at once! The oven features incandescent lights and full extension telescopic racks which glide out seamlessly to limit the need to reach within the hot cavity. And not to worry, the tiltable touchscreen interface will provide an intuitive guide to assist in any cooking adventure from recipes, ingredients on hand or cooking function. Best of all, it’s got the professional look you’ve always wanted in your kitchen. Now is the time to start your cooking and baking experience!!
That’s a wrap for the Fall my friends. Be sure to buy your ticket for the Showcase of Homes, you don’t want to miss out on any of those great ideas they have in store for you this year. Bring your cellphones…take notes and photos! This 25th Anniversary Year will be the Best Showcase yet! See you all on the Tour!!
Until next time my friends,
Colleen Coleman of CMC Design Studio LLC
AKBD, CAPS & True Color Expert