Brambles - Maine's Best Garden & Local Artist Store

In late October Adele and I went on a road trip across the river and into Maine to see some friends, favorite places and enjoy the gorgeous fall colors. Along the way we stopped by Brambles, owned by our longtime friend, Lisa DuHamel.

Lisa started Brambles 16 years ago and has not wavered from her day one focus... a top notch gardening gift shop combined with a great supply of bulbs & pots blended with a strong group of Maine artists. Oil botanical, ceramic garden fish, sheep acrylic paintings, Sneerboer hand forged tools from Holland, stone critters and much more can be found in her shop. A quick note - she does not sell online, but she will email pictures and ship to you... and if no one answers when you call it is because she will not answer a phone while talking with customers (she believes in giving her in-store customers all of her attention).... so leave her a message. 207-338-3448

Stone critters!

I love these greeting cards by Art Angels.... I use them all the time as "Thanks You Notes" to my customers.

These stainless steel fish (Stripers) are awesome.

The birdhouses are adorable.

She can't keep these locally handmade pillows in stock.

These little chickens made me smile.

Our Designer Showhouse Room

This summer we participated in the York, Maine Designer Show House.... and the location was on spectacular York Harbor. We chose a harbor view bedroom in the back of the 6,500 sq ft home, and it was a bit tough, as the ceilings were low and 1/2 of one wall was a closet. However, we had fun. The floor was in absolutely horrid condition and required 5 coats of base paint and the walls took 3.

My business partner and mother Jane Derby, was the primary designer and I acted as the assistant and sounding board for several months as we drove some 1000+ miles searching for the right pieces to make the room come together and pop. Of course the room under went 2 or 3 total drawing board transformations before we keyed in on what made us smile. We wanted the room to be soft and relaxing - a comfortable place to read or nap.

The beds were our starting point... Thomas O'Brian had just released this bed during the Hickory Chair spring collection as a King and we loved it. But as it was too large, we re-drew it, scaled it, tweaked it and asked HC & him if he'd consider making it smaller for us... and volia, the proto types are below! And for that we owe Hickory Chair and Mr. O'Brian a huge thank you.






I love the painted floors - we wanted it to be a prime focus, but visually soft and sophisticated.

We took this antique chest of drawers and had it painted and finished with a faux bamboo pattern. The marble topped French pastry table features a faux bamboo iron frame the picks up on the chest.

If any of these pieces interest you or if you'd like design consultation, please call.

The photographs were taken by Dan R. Derby http://www.danrderby.com/

Visit Jane's new blog: http://thelookyoulove.blogspot.com/

Fabulous Fur Pillows

These fabulous fur pillows are all "upcycled" - meaning they come from vintage fur coats from all over the world, so you can feel good about keeping them out of the dump, saving living animals and making your home yummier! Perfect for the lodge, ski camp, well tailored home or the sofa or chair that needs that special pillow that defines the room and pulls in all in.

This is a sneak peak at 4 pillows... many more are coming in late December or the first of January. As they are all one-of-a-coat-kind... you will not want to snooze. Others like the mink and Persian Lamb will come is several sizes. A few upcoming choices will be: Beaver, Otter, Persian Lamb in Gray, Muskrat, Wolf, Bear, Coyote, Leopard (rare), Golden Fox and more. All have a 90/10 feather down fill. Some will have fur on both sides and some won't.

This is a stunning red Fox lumbar pillow. Measures 18" x 7". Only one. Sold




A soft & sleek reddish/brown mahogany mink travel pillow. 15 x9. $99



Old world charm defines this classically elegant Black Persian Lamb pillow. 19 x 12. $185



This velvety soft Brown Mouton (sheep) pillow is what dreams are made from. 21 x 12. $195