Flowers in the Valley Studio by the Lake
A brief introduction, in 2018 I moved to Essex, NY to pursue work at Essex Farm. A common origin story for most “young” people who lay down roots in the area after falling in love with the Champlain Valley. If you and I have never met, you should know, I am an Essex, NY evangelist. I love this place like I have loved no other. I currently rent year-round, right in town on Essex Road, and I hope to remain there until I hit my 5 year goal, which is to purchase my “dream space,” a dual commercial and residential building right in the center of town.
For those of you who have never been to Essex, NY, run, don’t walk. My personal Utopia is a tiny, seasonal town located in the Champlain Valley of the Adirondacks. Essex is made up of a uniquely tight-knit community. It is the kind of community that fosters collaboration rather than competition, and that is fiercely supportive. Upon relocating here, I quickly learned that the cost of living is low, but the quality of life is uniquely high. Between Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains, and the vast stretches of farm land, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The affordability of life here paired with its wealth of aesthetic inspiration makes Essex the perfect habitat for a creative to thrive.
The nightly summer show in Essex
On a clear day the silhouette of Vermont’s Green Mountains is crisp and detailed, but on days when the fog rolls over the lake they completely disappear.
My dog Lake and I enjoying the autumn blaze from a local peak
My world has never not revolved around art, design and flowers. I grew up an hour outside of New York City. My earliest and most formative memories draw from visits to the New York Botanical Garden and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Every spring the bloom of the early crocus, and the scent of the first hyacinth still transports me back to the gardens of my childhood. I remember the first time I learned each flower’s name, and what their presence signified. For me they will always be the first harbingers of spring.
I never grew out of my childlike awe and reverence for botanicals, so it should come as no surprise that this passion ferried me towards a career in floral design. Professionally, I’ve had my hands in the flower world for the past 18 years with experience ranging from small scale retail to big budget affairs. In 2016 I focused this work on designing for weddings and events. Around this time I also started my handmade jewelry line, Kit+Syl.
I am a creative, a designer, and more and more an entrepreneur who wants to add value to my community. I believe in the significance of the brick and mortar space, and that a life filled with art, beauty, and the sharing of ideas is a life filled with feelings of gratitude and purpose.
Portrait of me outside my home in Essex, NY arranging a bouquet with flowers grown by local flower grower Little Farmhouse Flowers. Photo cred Julia Rebecca Photography
My move to Essex came after a nine year period living in New York City. Moving to Essex changed my lifestyle so drastically that for the first time I had the rare opportunity to focus my career on my art practice. The content of this blog centers on my “dream space,” what I want to do with it and why I want it to be in Essex. My writing will also serve as a transparent look into the steps it takes to open a brick and mortar for the first time. The entries will primarily revolve around, art, design, small/local business, and community. I promise to post weekly, to steer the subject matter by the interests of my readers, and to write with the mission to add value to my community.
Thank you for reading! I post weekly, so catch the newest entry every Wednesday morning. Please share, comment, and ask questions. I’m an open book, and I want to write about what you want to read about.
