Merrimack Valley Magazine

Holiday Home

December 9, 2021 by Katie DeRosa Leave a Comment

Sometimes the best alternative to a typical dining room for the holidays can be a barn setting. Carriage houses, barns, and other such warm and old-fashioned rustic buildings can be used as comfortable locations to adorn for your holiday feasts.

The carriage house we have featured here is used by North Andover’s McLellan family for their annual holiday celebrations. Because of its open-air feel and convenient location near the kitchen, it’s easy for even large groups to gather there.

Horse painting by Stephanie Mobbs Deady, $1,400; Dash & Albert rug, $286 – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing, Andover, Mass. Custom table and chairs, pricing upon request – Melissa’s Perfect Piece, Georgetown, Mass. Decorative Christmas trees, $32 to $42 – Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop, North Andover, Mass. Abilene urns, $458 each; table runner, $24; gold nests, $12 each; Ariel ornaments, $18 each – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Flutes, dishes and silverware – Stylist’s own.

The carriage house has enough room for a tree, piano and several sideboards. Simple strung lights enhance the mood and children can play inside without feeling constrained. Celebrations are relaxed, with the focus on enjoying family rather than doing anything elaborate or fancy.

Left: Dash & Albert rug, $190 – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing, Andover, Mass. French cane bench, $985; Pine cone wreath, $98 – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Antiqued wood truck, $190; Wool snowflake pillow, $122; Bedford Cottage chunky knit throw, $218; Tree stand, $68; Antiqued wood sleds, $52 each – Acorn Design Center, Andover, Mass.
Right: Custom table credenza, pricing upon request – Melissa’s Perfect Piece, Georgetown, Mass. Small urns, $42 to $66 – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Red berry wreaths, $68 each; Camac Fragment by Aidan Gray, $110 – Acorn Design Center, Andover, Mass.

If you have an area outside the home that would make a cozy place for the holidays, take a chance and explore simple ways to transform it into something special.

Selection of handmade wreaths, pricing upon request – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass.

style editor and set design
Lysa Pelletier – Anchor Artists

photography
Emily O’Brien – Boston, Mass.

accessories
Acorn Home & Design
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Rose & Dove
Specialty Gift Shop
North Andover, Mass.
(978) 689-4141
RoseAndDove.com

Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-7981
ShopHelenThomas.com

floral and accessories
Les Fleurs
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-9669
LesFluers.com

Special thanks to the McLellan family of North Andover for their hospitality during this photoshoot at their homestead.

Art and Soul of a Home

June 24, 2019 by Lysa Pelletier Leave a Comment

As you stare at that blank wall in your home, imagine how a great artist feels staring at a blank canvas in their studio — it’s a space full of unlimited potential. Exotic paint colors and wallpaper are great, but consider dressing up your walls with an original painting or print.

Don’t have a spare fortune lying around? Pieces from local artists can be surprisingly affordable and make your space a wonderful showpiece. Build around your art with simple furniture, florals and accessories. You can even change pieces with the seasons or your moods. The wonderful pop-up art gallery at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing in Andover makes it easier and less intimidating for you to view and purchase an original piece for your home.

Whether you have a large wall to fill, or a small area in a room, art of all styles can be for the masses. And who knows? That piece you just bought from an up-and-coming artist could buy your family a mansion someday.

‘Hurricane Warning’ 40” x 60” oil on canvas by Liz Auffant, $2,500 – The Pop-Up Art Gallery at Helen Thomas
Black garden tables, $168 each – Acorn Design Center
Double wire planters, $72 each – Acorn Design Center
Photo by Emily O’Brien.

‘Pink Springtime’ and ‘Blue Springtime’ by Janet Mitchell, $275 each – MAK & CO.
Standing flowers, $16.95 to $40 – Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop
Dirty Roots planters with black gem aloes and ponytail palms, $15 each – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Photo by Emily O’Brien.

‘Nocturne’ 40” x 62” by Josh Hilty, $4,000 – The Pop-Up Art Gallery at Helen Thomas
Cross back chair, $165 – MAK & CO.
Plant and antique bucket, $68 – Les Fleurs
Dash & Albert black/ivory Diamond indoor/outdoor rugs: $54 for a 2’x3’ to $1,472 for a 12’x16’ – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Photo by Emily O’Brien.

‘Hollywood Ending’ 30” x 60” by Michele Bosha, $2,400 – The Pop-Up Art Gallery at Helen Thomas
Grand vases, $112 each – Acorn Design Center
Small blue vase, $36; Blue crepe vase, $42 – Acorn Design Center
Photo by Emily O’Brien.

‘The Mandela Effect’ 30” x 50” by Josh Hilty, $1,200 – The Pop-Up Art Gallery at Helen Thomas
Glass orbs, $36 each – MAK & CO.
Dash & Albert ‘The Dappled Seaglass’ woven jute rug: $88 for a 2’x3’ to $2,058 for a 10’x14’ – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Photo by Emily O’Brien.

style editor and set design
Lysa Pelletier – Anchor Artists

photography
Emily O’Brien – Boston, Mass.

shot on location at
The Pop-Up Art Gallery at Helen Thomas – Andover, Mass.

floral and accessories
Les Fleurs – Andover, Mass.

accessories and furnishings
Acorn Design Center
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Les Fleurs
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-9669
LesFleurs.com

Mak & Co.
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-5511
MakAndCoAndover.com

Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop
North Andover, Mass.
(978) 689-4141
RoseAndDove.com

Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-7981
Facebook.com/HelenThomasSimplySmashing

Home Is Where the Art Is

June 11, 2018 by Lysa Pelletier Leave a Comment

We all know that home is where the heart is, but it’s also a place where we like to look at art that continues to make us happy with the passing of time.

Creating small spaces in your home with art that speaks to your soul makes whatever kind of home you have uniquely special to you. Not all art has to be expensive. A pretty picture that someone painted for you, a framed work from one of your children, or small canvas prints can brighten any wall or space that feels bare.

Filling a large wall with the right-sized picture or painting and using vases and decorative items you already own can make a room come alive. Finish the look off with fresh flowers or your own backyard greenery and you have a stunning vignette in the space you call home.

This vibrant painting entitled “A Little Bit of Everything” by Stephanie Mobbs Deady almost seems three-dimensional. It is available at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing.
The Green Apple vases are from Acorn Design Center and the flowers are by Les Fleurs. The custom tables are by Brassy Knobs and are available at BrassyKnobs.com. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

A fireplace area is a perfect place to enjoy your hand-picked pieces of artwork. Whether you hang one picture above the fireplace or create a small gallery, you will enjoy both the warmth of the fire and the happiness the pictures create. “Hello Love” is by Stephanie Mobbs Deady. The two paintings to its right, “Glimpse” and “You Look Like a Movie” are by Michele Boshar. These paintings, and the Company C rug, are all available at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing. The 20 inch round stool is by Les Fleurs and the ceramic vase by Savoir Faire Home. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

If you have an entryway, a hallway, or any open areas in your existing home, fill them with fabulous pieces that make you smile when you walk by, such as this painting of Taylor Swift by Rob Surette. Or better yet, create a cozy nook where you can read, meditate or relax in a space that gives you joy because of the pieces you surround yourself with. The dynamic rug is by Company C. The painting and rug are available at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing. Photo by Emily O’Brien.

Above: Sometimes, it pays to get creative with spaces. This staircase is a perfect area for a small vignette. The cow and floral paintings are by Stephanie Mobbs Deady. The gold bamboo side table is by Brassy Knobs and the vases and flowers are by Les Fleurs. Right: Artwork can be displayed in unconventional ways that create a strong effect, as with these gorgeous pieces displayed at the top of the stairs. These works are by John Mulcahy. The Deady and Mulcahy paintings are available at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing. The vase is from Les Fleurs. Photos by Emily O’Brien.

style editor and set design
Lysa Pelletier, Anchor Artists

photography
Emily O’Brien – Boston, Mass.

assistant stylist
Candace Masterson, Anchor Artists

artwork and rugs
Helen Thomas Simply Smashing – Andover, Mass.

floral, accessories and furnishings
Les Fleurs – Andover, Mass.

accessories and furnishings
Acorn Home & Design Center – Andover, Mass.
Savoir Faire Home – Andover, Mass.

custom tables by
Brassy Knobs – South Boston, Mass.

Acorn Design Center
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Brassy Knobs
South Boston, Mass.
(781) 775-3536
BrassyKnobs.com

Les Fleurs
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-9669
LesFleurs.com

Savoir Faire Home
Andover, Mass.
(978) 409-6188
SavoirFaireHome.com

Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-7981
Facebook.com/HelenThomasSimplySmashing

Going to the Wall

December 30, 2017 by Lysa Pelletier Leave a Comment

Who Needs Paint? Metallic Wallpaper Can Transform Any Space from Dull to Luxurious.

Wallpaper is back and better than ever! Today, there are graphic and bold designs appealing to a wide variety of styles and tastes.

When eye-catching metallic prints are added to the design, the reflected light adds a luxurious sheen to any space or wall.

Think of wallpaper as artwork for your wall. You can transform an entire room or add a stylish look to a single wall. It can be used behind bookshelves or in small areas of the home to add visual pops to small, neutral spaces.

The new geometric designs are NOT your grandmother’s wallpaper. Add a cool, vintage vibe or a futuristic twist to a room or small nook in the house. Think minimalism means boring? Not with metallic prints, which can be simple, yet reflective of the play of light. Plus, with all the creative options available, it’s easier than ever to decorate with wallpaper that accentuates your own signature style.

(All wallpaper is from Acorn Home & Design Center. The vendor is Thibaut Design and prices are available upon request. All flowers provided by Andover’s Les Fleurs.)

Right: A tasteful wishbone table and mortar and pestle from Les Fleurs accentuate the avian and floral patterns of this wallpaper, available at Andover’s Acorn Home & Design Center. The layers of overlapping silver and bronze hues create an effect that is simple yet never dull.
An Acorn side table and Les Fleurs black nickel vase reflect the luster of silver patterned wallpaper.
This gold wallpaper is foregrounded with a Les Fleurs copper vase. The acorn and leaf dish and side table are from Acorn Home & Design Center.
Foregrounded by a table, metal pot and saucer from Les Fleurs, along with a wooden box from Acorn, the symmetry of this wallpaper evokes a feeling of antiquity and the future.
With an eruption of color in the background, this wallpaper’s angular pattern matches the spiky irregularity of Les Fleurs’ pineapple bookends. The Simon and Pierce Woodbury vase from Rose & Dove delivers the final touch — a strikingly simple and bold floral arrangement from a nearly invisible source. The arrow table is from Acorn Home & Design Center.