When anyone comes into my shop, Hollyhocks on Main, they comment on the way it smells. Most people love it, a few do not… which is fine. But what you may not know is that there is a scent story being told. Every choice, from the site of the scented items, to the combination of scents are all clearly thought out.

Every scent line we carry from soaps to candles and incense has to be either herbaceous, citrusy or a fresh clean scent. Nothing sweet or cloying and they have to work in concert with one another. I know it is working because lots of customers try to buy it. And if I could mix it all up in a bottle and sell it, I would!

At the front of the shop are Michel Designs foaming hand and bath soaps made with aloe vera and shea butter. We carry Lemon Basil, Lavender Rosemary and Papillon, a freshly cut meadow scent with notes of honeysuckle and gardenia. Not only do they smell good but are beautifully designed with botanical motifs.

In the middle of the shop are the soy blend scented candles. We have Votivo candles in a variety of scents including Forgotten Sage, Red Currant, Saint Germain Lavender and Black Ginger. And we have Chesapeake Bay Double Wick Tins in Blood Orange, Wild Lemongrass and Bergamot & Clover.

At the back of the shop are dried lavender bunches, sachets and gardeners hand soaps from Seattle Seed Company. We carry two types of incense: cones from Vance Kitira and stick incense from Sea Witch Botanicals. My personal favorite is Herbal Renewal, a blend of lavender and rosemary essential oils.

Hopefully we have created a total sensory experience as you walk through the shop… from the complex layers of scents to the visually colorful wares to the sounds of relaxing music. We believe that wonderful scents should be part of the journey in making a special space, whether it’s in your home or my shop.

Resources: Hollyhocks on Main, 4090 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA or visit our web store at http://www.hollyhocksonmain.com.

Our backyard has become a much needed refuge while sheltering in place this Spring. So I thought this would be a good time to give an update on our wildlife habitat… which now includes our two orange tabbies, Ziggy D and Ollie Rockit. No worries, we keep a very close eye on them when they are in the backyard!

Last year we started planting micro-clover in our weed filled lawn. We found that it stays green all winter and spreads pretty slowly. So we planted several more rounds of seed this Spring, adding two pound bags of clover seed to five pounds of Miracle Gro garden soil. Mixing it with the soil added extra fertilizer plus made it easier to see where we planted those teeny tiny clover seeds!

Clover is eco-friendly because it needs less water and self-fertilizes by adding nitrogen to the soil. Once the clover was planted, we started to work on our various habitats. We carefully tidied up the insect condo where lots of bugs were happily nesting away. We created a bee bath by filling a shallow saucer with colorful pebbles and put a pottery butterfly puddler in the herb garden.

We cleaned and hung the butterfly and mason bee houses and hummingbird feeder. We also planted flowers to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to our outdoor haven. My favorite wildlife are the plentiful toads and we placed toad abodes all around the yard. It is simply an upside down pot propped up on two rocks with a saucer filled with water nearby to serve as their own private pond.

I’ve noticed lots of birds this year and maybe it’s just the lack of other noises but there is a cacophony of sounds. While we are living in these scary uncertain times, it is comforting to have fresh air and nature to enjoy. I would love to live in my backyard and plan to do just that when the weather gets a bit warmer!

Resources: Scott’s Turf Builder Clover Lawn (Amazon), Garden Soil, Saucers and Pots (Thomas Gardens), Butterfly Puddler and Mason Bee Houses (Etsy), Butterfly House and Hummingbird Feeder (Gardeners Supply), Inspiration Rocks, Scatter Garden Kits and Garden Sprinkles (Hollyhocks on Main).

For that full circle moment, it’s not enough to purge — you need to create a system that works now as well as going forward. Each room has its own unique challenges. The key is to have the right thing in the right place at the right time.

Below are some of the ways we organize our house:

Home Office: the desk drawer stores stationary, return labels and stamps, file cabinets hold paperwork all labeled and organized alphabetically. A washstand has extra office supplies and an armoire stores computer and printer supplies. Plastic bins filled with memorabilia are stowed under the futon in the office.

Bedroom: dressers and a closet hold clothes and shoes, tables on each side of the bed have drawers for tissues and personal items with a shelf below for books and magazines. A platform bed with baskets hide extra linens, blankets and off season clothes/shoes. A wicker trunk stores luggage and canvas bags.

Bathroom: an over the toilet cabinet stores cosmetics and toiletries on the bottom shelf and tissues and toilet paper on the top shelf. The medicine cabinet contains vitamins, first aid supplies, toothpaste, etc. An open linen closet has baskets with cleaning supplies, towels and toiletries and a laundry hamper.

Kitchen: a pantry cabinet organized by spices, baking supplies, cooking supplies (oils, vinegars, stock) and cooks tools. Crocks hold wood and metal utensils and the drawers store additional cooks tools, utensils and knives. Open shelving holds plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cookbooks. A tray next to the stove corrals cutting boards, olive oil, salt and pepper. Trivets and strainers are hung up for easy access. A rolling cart stores dishtowels, baskets and serving pieces.

Every Room: cupboards, cabinets, trunks and tables with drawers and shelves are crucial for multiple storage solutions. Each room has a variety of them. Collectibles and books are arranged on bookshelves and a bar is set up inside a small cupboard. A stack of vintage trunks contain seasonal decor (except Christmas decor which is stored in plastic bins in the shed). Most of our artwork is out and hung, displayed on gallery walls or leaning on ledges.

Resources: The key is finding unique pieces for storage. Many of our painted cupboards and shelves came from Banana Tree, an import shop in Old Town Alexandria. They are long gone but Nadeau is a good resource for similar items.

In creating an Inspiration Board, which drives the buying decisions and displays for my shop, I research design trends on Pinterest; read current home decor magazines (Better Homes & Gardens, Domino, Cottages & Bungalows, Country Living UK); peruse catalogs (Pottery Barn, West Elm, Ballard Designs) and watch HGTV shows (Love It or List It, Propery Brothers, Windy City Rehab).

Below are some of the decor trends I see emerging for the coming year:

Rustic Nordic: white, cream, gray with wicker and wood. A sheepskin rug on a gray sofa with a driftwood colored coffee table and a wicker basket piled with chunky knit throws in shades of cream. Think serene, organic and handmade.

Global Artisan: red, turquoise, indigo with copper and natural fibers. A Kantha covered bed with brightly colored pillows on top of a jute rug with a rain drum side table and lots of leafy plants. Think fair trade crafts and eco-consciousness.

Wabi Sabi: black, terra cotta, greige with iron and pottery. A Japanese aesthetic that combines the simplicity of nature with the beauty of aged materials. A dark wood table with a hyacinth runner and a terra cotta bowl filled with ripe plums.

Farmhouse Minimalism: gray, black, white with metal and rustic barnwood. An all white kitchen with black metal open shelves, brass fixtures and glass pendants over a marble topped island. Think Fixer Upper meets Marie Kondo.

Art Studio/Creative Space: full of color, texture and art/craft supplies arranged in everything from bins, boxes and baskets to vintage suitcases and toolboxes. Carve out a nook, convert a home office… make it your own personal zen den.

The common threads among all of the trends are: 1) black as a unifying color; 2) texture through natural materials; 3) hand dyed and stitched fabrics; 4) brass or gold accents and 5) clever organizational ideas.

From our home to yours, Happy New Year!

Resources: Wicker basket, ivory pom pom throw, Kantha bedspread, colorful linen pillows, jute rug, copper bells, hyacinth runner, storage pieces from brick mold shelves and cabinets to cubbies, crates and bins (Hollyhocks on Main).

P.S. I snuck a picture of our new kitty, Ollie Rockit, into the photo montage.

The inspiration for this year’s holiday scheme – au naturele* is based on the latest design trends. To determine what’s hot right now, browse through current magazines and catalogs, tearing out the pages that you like. Then sort through them, keeping only the ones with similar elements. Finally, pin them up on a bulletin board, moving them around until they come together to tell a story. Voila! Themes emerge and designs are distilled down to key elements.

This season it’s all about green and white paired with natural elements… evergreen trees, twinkle lights and birch logs. Add in metallic elements such as tin or mercury glass for brightness. Gold, bronze or silver also work well with this color scheme. For a rustic element, use wood slabs to create groupings and add height. For texture sprinkle in pine cones and acorns. Incorporate your own collections, from bottlebrush trees to vintage clocks, to personalize the look.

The beauty of this decor is that it is relatively simple to achieve. A grapevine wreath or two, a few undecorated pre-lit trees, pots of paperwhites and bowls of clementine oranges, pine cones and cinnamon sticks. Lanterns and lots of votive candles bring the sparkle. Set out your coziest blankets and a basket of your warmest socks (see Hygge Your Holiday).  Light a fire (or a candle) and have a cup of hot tea (or glass of port) and enjoy some well earned “me time.”

Tip #1: if you opt for faux trees, mix in fresh green swags from your backyard or local nursery and burn a balsam fir candle.

Tip #2: for an easy potpourri, slice oranges and add cinnamon sticks and cloves to a pot of water and bring to a simmer on the stove.

*Au na-tu-rel: with no elaborate treatment, dressing or preparation; being in a natural style or condition.

Resources: Evergreen trees, tin trees and candle holders, faux paper whites, mercury glass and ivory pom pom throws (Hollyhocks on Main), grapevine wreaths, pine cones, birch logs, paper white bulbs and fresh greens (local nursery), cinnamon sticks and oranges (grocery store).

After a long, hot Summer we are slowly turning towards Fall. The Hollyhocks late Summer Inspiration Board features indigo and turquoise with pops of red… soothing, cool hues with a hint of heat. Below is a breakdown of the various elements that inspired this decor scheme.

Indigo can be introduced through fabrics, such as shibori pillows and napkins. Shibori is the Japanese technique of binding and dyeing cloth indigo. It creates intricate tie dye patterns that are very popular in boho chic decor especially when mixed with other colorful textiles. The basket filled with skeins of indigo yarn is gorgeous!

Turquoise painted furniture and pottery and bright red cushions, books and artwork are the accent colors and pull the eye around the room. Wood, wicker baskets and rattan furniture are the natural elements that add texture. Plants, flowers and bowls of fruit bring life to every room.

Collections from match boxes and pear prints to butterflies under glass are the little touches that show your personality. Display treasures picked up on nature walks (sea shells, lichen, acorns) in Mason jars and mementos from your travels together on a bookshelf. Include books that relate to the collected objects for an interesting vignette.

This design scheme is the perfect bridge to Autumn with all of its vivid hues. To transition, set out miniature pumpkins, lots of candles and bowls of seasonal produce and you are done! Indigo will fade into the background and serve as a grounding color similar to black or dark gray.

Resources: Shibori pillows and napkins (Etsy); painted furniture (Nadeau); pottery (Etsy); wood bowls, wicker baskets and candles (Hollyhocks on Main).

When you live in a resort town with lots of summer activities, it’s nice to take time out to relax with friends. The garden has been planted (see Backyard Habitat), the furniture arranged (see Backyard Retreat) and now it’s time to have a party! Or not… I’d rather have friends over a few at a time but here are some of our go to tips for easy and enjoyable summer gatherings.

1. Keep it simple. Prepare a few dishes, buy a few pre-made items. That is the Ina Garten rule. For example, make a seafood risotto and an antipasto platter and for dessert, serve store bought cookies and sorbet.
2. Cocktails outdoors (weather permitting) and dinner indoors makes life easier. One of our favorite summer drinks is a lemon spritzer… one third Prosecco, limoncello and lemon San Pelligrino over ice. Delicious!
3. A cantaloupe wedge wrapped in prosciutto with a squeeze of lime juice and a big bowl of steamed clams in garlic, basil butter sauce can be a first course or a meal. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the aromatic sauce.
4. A cold soup is a refreshing meal on a hot summer day. Gazpacho served chilled  along with a pound or two of steamed spiced shrimp is a perfect light supper. Or chilled vichyssoise garnished with spring onions.
5. This is the time to take advantage of in season produce. Roast chicken on the grill and serve with corn on the cob and a platter of sliced tomatoes dressed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh basil from the garden.
6. Grill tip: make up a foil packet of new potatoes, green beans and sliced onions, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put it on the top rack of your grill and cook for 20-25minutes, Serve with rib eye steaks.
7. Support your local shops and order a cheese plate to serve as the dessert course along with fresh peaches or plums from a nearby farmers market.
8. Clean up as you go… best tip of all. Lots of preparing ahead and staying on top of the dishes makes for a relaxing end to an enjoyable evening.

For our favorite summer recipes, check out our blog, Blueberries & Tootsie Rolls. From Farmers Market Gazpacho to Basil Butter Clams to Miss Ione’s Crab Cakes we have summer covered. Enjoy!

We’ve been working on our backyard for awhile now… and for inspiration I’ve been binge watching British gardening shows. Specifically, Big Dreams, Small Spaces where Monte Don helps homeowners re-imagine their backyards and turn them into fantasy gardens. At the same time, we decided to create a Certified Backyard Habitat* so we needed to find ways to provide shelter and sources of food and water for birds, butterflies, lady bugs, bees and toads.

A condo of sorts can be devised using bits and bobs from your garden. Just take a crate or wood planks and stack with bricks or pavers and tuck in bark, pine cones, straw and clay pots to make levels and nesting spaces.  Hang a few bee hotels filled with hollow bamboo nearby and provide butterfly resting and feeding stations with shallow saucers filled with oranges, stones and water.

It is early planting season now, so we are filling our herb garden with pots of parsley, lavender, thyme, lemon balm and several types of basil. Some we are choosing to cook with and some are just beneficial for our garden habitat. We’ve placed clay pots upside down and sideways to make toad abodes and set out several puddlers to provide water and essential minerals for butterflies.

We are seeing lots of activity already! We are also seeding our lawn with micro clover which is evergreen, can be mowed and naturally adds nitrogen to the soil. Next up is the addition of native plants to attract even more critters to our garden. Even though we have a small yard, it is starting to feel like a haven and it is delightful to look around and see all of the buzzing about that is going on.

*To register a Certified Backyard Habitat, go to https://www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Certify for more information.

Resources: “Big Dreams, Small Spaces” (Netflix); bee and insect hotels (Gardeners Supply); toad abodes and puddlers (Etsy); Micro Clover seeds (Amazon); herbs and native plants (local nursery/garden club).