Well what a fun time we had a few weeks before Christmas - Kip, Nan, Nan's daughter Lauren and I ventured out of the city to Upperville, Virginia trying to find this fabulous little gem of a store. Because of our obsession with blogs especially decorating blogs we were alerted to to this great store.
Matthews House and Garden - is an adorable renovated church in Upperville . We traveled out from the District through Middleburg and kept on driving - we came upon this charming shop.
How about this tree- covered in vines next to the shop-creates unbelievable shadows on the shop's main building. English Manor landscaping leads to the front door.
Close up of this statuary nativity scene greeting guests as they make their way up the path to the front door.
Other statuary is placed around the shop but this nativity scene really sets the mood for unusual Christmas decorating.
Double front doors adorned in wreaths welcome customers to the shop/church! Love the pastel blue with the white - unexpected.
Nan, Kip and Lauren admire the landscaping and use of miniature trees and cabbage - great color for a winter day.
As you enter the shop on the left a beautiful array of herbs and plants on a wire stand.
An array of goodies to buy as soon as you walk in! The aroma of evergreen was everywhere- smart marketing as we all bought the Thyme candles fraser fir scent. We were also greeted with "Would you like a cappuccino??" The owner and decorator Wanda Crossley was making her first pot of the day- What a delight she was!!! A big fan of blogs she was so interested in our story and our little blog!
Nan and Lauren giggle as I run around and take shots- How beautiful are the trees -simply lit with white lights.
This area of the shop is my favorite- great light and blue and white accessories make this "pulpit" area of the shop just shine!
Again the simple trees add a festive touch. I think the wall on the right is bare because Kip bought all 4 of the fabulous sketches that were framed and hanging there. Gorgeous acorn/leaf prints that will look fabulous in her house!
You can see in this photo how great the natural light is streaming in the large windows.
What a gorgeous piece! Many light woods and slipcovered pieces are featured at Matthews House and Garden. Wanda told us to check back often as her inventory is always in flux- as soon as Kip bought her prints, Wanda's partner was busily reorganizing and hanging new prints!
Fabulous entry as you walk in - what a wall unit - everything looks totally in scale - but this is a huge space!
As we head out to find a fun place for lunch - Can't wait to get back here and visit again- Wanda mentioned all the great garden pieces they get in during the spring months. We will return - fabulous shop - fabulous people and we had a fabulous time-
If you are in the area- check it out - you will NOT be dissapointed!!!
Matthews House and Garden
9160 John Mosby Hwy in Upperville, VA (540.592.7147)
Tue- Sat 10 to 5
Also thanks to "My Notting Hill" blog for alerting me to this great store- check out her great photos and insights!
http://mynottinghill.blogspot.com/2009/10/readers-renovated-175-yr-old-church.html
To order either of these check out the website below:
Wall of blue up the staircase looks great- might be good in Maine- but I think wallpaper is the way to go for me.
Love these upholstered chairs- how casual - I am also obsessed with corded upholstery!! Love it!
Living room in the same Nantucket house- so comfortable and I love love love that mirror!
Okay, now for something a little more upscale and formal. Eventually when we combine both the Maine and DC houses I will be bringing up all my collection of Chinese blue and white porcelain. I think it will add a nice touch to the beachy look of the Maine house.
Maybe I should concentrate my blue and white porcelain in the more formal rooms like the dining room in Maine- probably a more suitable place for it.
As I said Blue is Back- Ralph Lauren is featuring blue all over their new home collection this spring. This is called La Plage- or "the beach". Love the combination of casual wicker with feminine white french - and how about that striped rug- love the mix .
Again Ralph Lauren cushions from his La Page collection - would look great in Maine- gotta get shopping!!!! So glad to see blue is back in a big way.
Checked out the map upon entering the gondola area.
Yikes, this is the thing I have to ride to reach the top??? - Warning - fear of heights not encouraged here!!!
This is the view from the ground - it is a long way up!
Okay the ride begins- we arrived in the Garmisch area late in the day - so we took the last gondola ride up the mountain- it was about 3:30 pm and we had the gondola to ourselves on the way up!
George was fascinated with the car- he kept saying -"Oh that's how James Bond gets out of here"- Fearless!!
Passing these large structures was the worse part of the ride- you almost have a feeling of falling for a short time- and the crunching and grinding - OY!!!!! I was scared!!!
I am saying - why in the world did I say yes to this!!!!!! YIKES!!!!!!
We are getting close to the platform - arriving at the top- almost 3000 feet above sea level!!!
Yes - George on the cell- this scene has been repeated all over the world!!!!
Terrific views ...
The cafe is called 2962- the exact elevation of the mountain.
Gotta have a little treat after all that stress in the gondola!!!
Heading back to the Lodge- what a day and what a view - even this parting shot is terrific !!!!!
Well what a fun time we had a few weeks before Christmas - Kip, Nan, Nan's daughter Lauren and I ventured out of the city to Upperville, Virginia trying to find this fabulous little gem of a store. Because of our obsession with blogs especially decorating blogs we were alerted to to this great store.
How about this tree- covered in vines next to the shop-creates unbelievable shadows on the shop's main building. English Manor landscaping leads to the front door.
Close up of this statuary nativity scene greeting guests as they make their way up the path to the front door.
Other statuary is placed around the shop but this nativity scene really sets the mood for unusual Christmas decorating.
Double front doors adorned in wreaths welcome customers to the shop/church! Love the pastel blue with the white - unexpected.
Nan, Kip and Lauren admire the landscaping and use of miniature trees and cabbage - great color for a winter day.
As you enter the shop on the left a beautiful array of herbs and plants on a wire stand.
An array of goodies to buy as soon as you walk in! The aroma of evergreen was everywhere- smart marketing as we all bought the Thyme candles fraser fir scent. We were also greeted with "Would you like a cappuccino??" The owner and decorator Wanda Crossley was making her first pot of the day- What a delight she was!!! A big fan of blogs she was so interested in our story and our little blog!
This area of the shop is my favorite- great light and blue and white accessories make this "pulpit" area of the shop just shine!
You can see in this photo how great the natural light is streaming in the large windows.
What a gorgeous piece! Many light woods and slipcovered pieces are featured at Matthews House and Garden. Wanda told us to check back often as her inventory is always in flux- as soon as Kip bought her prints, Wanda's partner was busily reorganizing and hanging new prints!
Fabulous entry as you walk in - what a wall unit - everything looks totally in scale - but this is a huge space!
As we head out to find a fun place for lunch - Can't wait to get back here and visit again- Wanda mentioned all the great garden pieces they get in during the spring months. We will return - fabulous shop - fabulous people and we had a fabulous time-
