Discover Your Duck

Duck? Yes. You read that correctly.

What do I mean? Well, let me explain.

Growing up my Dad owned and operated his family’s Sawmill. Therefore my childhood was full of climbing wood chip piles, balancing on logs and clothes covered in saw dust. To this day, the smell of wood shavings brings be right back.

Dad’s claim to fame was his fine woodworking and custom projects. He would design mantels, unique shelving and the most beautiful wooden half hulls.

For the past 20 years or so, between various moves and a growing family - Dad was not able to do as much woodworking as he would have liked. But in 2020, amid the complete chaos of the world - he sat down and started carving.

Newly, settled into New England after a seven year stint in Virginia, he was inspired by all the wooden decoys - a classic decoration in many homes and a connection to Northport, NY - where he grew up. But those decoys are big - a real statement piece, something today’s homeowner may not be interested in.

See - I’m my father’s daughter, so all it took was one visit and a pot of coffee. Then, during our decoy brainstorm we came up with the little wooden duckling.

These little wooden ducklings mean the world to me. Not only are they absolutely beautiful, but they represent my relationship with my dad. Lots of big ideas, laughter, stories and little wooden ducklings.

OK - now, here comes the point; ducks and home design.

Remember that episode of Friends, "The One with the Apothecary Table"? Where Phoebe refuses to have an apartment full of mass produced, Pottery Barn items? She explains that items are better when they come with a story. Whether or not you like Pottery Barn (their kid collection is so cute!), the lesson is, you don’t want your space to look like the catalog or everyone else’s house. In home design, you must mix and match.

Find your duck! Look around - what brings you joy? what has a great story behind it? What is unique to you and your family? Incorporate those pieces into your overall design. Use the other items as fillers and accents to the pieces that really define you.

When we show up for that consultation, and you explain that you want us to transform your family room into a cozy space for movie nights, but open enough to entertain - you better be ready to answer me, when I say - Where is your “Duck”?

Cheers!

Caroline