The Mackenzie -Child’s on their “Showboat”. click here to read this fascinating story about this boat and all the controversy surrounding it. I hadn’t heard this story or seen the photo shoot in House and Garden and was unaware of their showboating lifestyle until I was at their studio last week. When We were recently on the tour of the farm, studio and house in Aurora I asked about their involvement in the company and if they still lived in the farmhouse. I was told they had sold the company several years ago and now live on a “showboat”. How fascinating, I pictured them dressed in costumes/outfits straight out of the roaring 20′s with gloves and long cigarette holders. Of course there would be a live band playing music each evening as they dined with their guests and perhaps a mystery or two to keep things interesting. OK, back to reality…If you have time read this article its short and very interesting!!
The Showboat and a very whimsical and colorful room on board.
Gorgeous Aurora, Finger LakesThe Mackenzie Child Farm
For more than 25 years talented artisans and designers have created original works of art at The Mackenzie Child’s farm and studio.
Mackenzie-Child’s is set on a tranquil Victorian farm overlooking Cayuga Lake, It is situated on 65 acres. It is here that talented artisans handcraft furniture, glassware, enamelware, hand painted furniture, lighting, rugs, and home accessories.
The grounds include the farm, animals, studio, home, gift shop and offices
The Grounds were the highlight for me I loved the gardens , ponds, and spectacular views of the lake.
When I am touring a new place on my travels, both local or far away I am always keeping my eyes open for some ideas. Although I LOVE the grounds and gardens at Mackenzie Child’s I can only handle a few bits and pieces here and there of their items. Its a bit too busy for my liking. I do have some of the accessories and dishes that I enjoy and use. Its wonderful in small doses. What really caught my eye were details such as this door. I just adore old fashioned doors, the kind of screen doors that slam shut when you are going in and out ( reminds me of my grandma and grandpa’s home). I was very impressed by this little old door!! So much so that I asked my husband for one for my birthday next week!! He thought I was kidding then quickly realized I never kid about design.
This would never work with the design style in our home BUT it is a great idea if you have room off of your bedrooms, perhaps in your hallway. We have a very plain old pine armoire up in our third floor in storage and I think it would be great to put a refrigerator in the bottom part (I would cover it with an old fashioned skirted fabric) and fill it with pretty glasses, cold beverages and some snacks for late night movies with the family. (God forbid I actually have to walk downstairs and get these items and perhaps burn a calorie or two in the process) So even if something is not your taste you can certainly look outside of the box and be inspired in a way that suits your style.
Now this sweet little antique is My style!! This is one piece I have been searching for. I have found some antiques and some reproductions but not the perfect one…yet; maybe someday. I want this for my kitchen, but it was not for sale, it is an antique in their collection. My search for the perfect Parisian pastry table continues (I will hide it from my clients so I don’t get tempted to sell it). I want a few pretty bowls filled with macaroons from Lauduree on top and some candies from Venice and maybe some delicious coffee from the middle east I brought home….
As most of you may know Mackenzie Child’s is not inexpensive, but they do have a few little items that will make nice gifts or souvenirs to bring home. This sweet bird feeder wasn’t inexpensive but much more affordable than the furniture!! Wouldn’t it look so sweet outdoors at your home hanging from a giant old tree. I bet the birds will love it and you.
I love pink and white striped silk taffeta fabric and this sink is cute. I would just use an old slab of honed Vermont marble on the counter to keep the sink from being too buy. This skirted fabric is so adorable and so Paris House!!
I always love lace fabric that lines cupboards in the kitchen. My Great Grandmother always had lace in her kitchen. It was filled with gorgeous antique country pieces. They lived on a big farm and she prepared huge meals all day long for the family and all the farm help who they treated like family.
Now this little number almost came home with me. I have two perfect spots for this enchanted beauty. One is over an antique French table I bought in Paris and decided not to sell but kept itand put it in our stone spring house out back. It is a wine tasting room and very “enchanting” this would be great over it, the other place would be hanging above our antique copper tub in our master bathroom. BUT I couldn’t fit it in my car and it so much money to ship that I haven’t decided what to do yet. It is not designed by Mackenzie Child’s but was commissioned by a local artisan in the Finger Lakes and it is a one of a kind piece….Oh I want it I really really want it!!!
IF..I were to buy one piece of furniture I think it would be this chair (the chandelier first than this chair) As you know I have a serious chair problem. How cute and fun is this sweet little number!! Check out the lavender floral needlepoint seat, so cute. If I had a little cottage on the water in Vermont I would put this in a white country bedroom. Oh that would be so nice. I just drifted off into dreamland again for a moment.
We enjoyed a few snacks out in the lovely courtyard after our tour of the farmhouse.
I love this little boy of mine. He is posing in front of the adorable porch boxes. My husband made porch boxes for me as a mother’s day gift one year for our front porch with the help of John, a very talented man who works at his company. They need to be re-done and I’m really liking these!!
A little fashion fun (these pics are taken at our condo in Florida, I couldn’t find any recent espadrille and fashion shots, apparently no one was photographing my feet on our vacation) I love comfortable stylish shoes that are perfect for sight seeing and going out to lunch.
A splash of color is perfect in the oh so hot month of August. This patent leather bag is stylish, and large enough to throw a lot of kid and mommy friendly things in it.
As I mention a lot..I love this man, my gorgeous husband Josh and I love to wear sundresses all summer long…
A beautiful iron garden gate designed by Mackenzie Child. Its available at their studio and through their catalog.
It wasn’t crowded the day we were there and there was a lovely breeze coming off the lake.
I would love to have this sweet gazebo in my garden
I love fountains, they are so relaxing and tranquil.
What cocktail comes to mind when you think of Mackenzie Child’s????The first thing that came to my mind was A Shirley Temple..I’m not sure why, but it did. Then I found this bottle of organic rose sherbet juice in my bar refrigerator that I was chilling and decided to whip up a special cocktail..
THE MACKENZIE CHILD’S ROSE PETAL SORBET CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL:
GATHER SOME PRETTY GLASSES, PREFERABLY SOME COUPES IF POSSIBLE
PUT IN A SCOOP OF THE MOST FANTASTIC SORBET YOU CAN FIND
FILL HALFWAY WITH ROSE SHERBET JUICE
TOP OFF WITH SPARKLING WINE
DRINK WHILE WEARING LOTS OF FABULOUS COLORS AND ACCESSORIES
XOXO
BUNNY
SEE YOU TOMORROW… We are off to the Farmer’s Market, don’t miss our “Apple Blossom Honey Bee Sting Pound Cake recipe, pure organic goodness and homemade lavender lemonades, perfect for the holiday weekend celebrations!!! then WE ARE HITTING THE WINE TRAIL AND COOKING UP A STORM. PLUS A VISIT TO THE LARGEST NATURAL WATERFALL IN NORTH AMERICA.Then A little about Mark Twains time in The Finger Lakes and the Joy of Country Fairs….
Bunny,
You and your hubby are so cute together! And your little boy is a total rock star!
Happy Tuesday to you!
~Melissa
Hello Bunny, this is such an incredible post, I don't know where to begin… I have seen their showboat home featured in another magazine, Country Living or one of those… I love everything, especially the animals of course, and the little birdhouse, and I love that your grandma had a screen door that slammed (like mine did)… I need to go back again and look at it all over again… you have the most beautiful handbags! I am a purse addict… Bisous… Julie Marie
What a great post! Your baby boy is a doll baby! I love the shoes and the purse!
What a lovely post…I adore that home…the pink stripes stoled my heart. Thanks again for all the lovely comments you always leave on my blog…you are a dear!
Oh your son is such a cutie! Thanks for taking us on the tour with you
PS I love that chandelier too 
Hello darling, as you know I am back and will soon be blogging again. Please believe me when I say that I missed you terribly, it’s funny this blogging thing, I never thought I would make so many friends and will honestly miss them while away. But I am glad you and I are blog friends and I do enjoy our conversations and blog visits. Thanks for you good wishes. I am now off to read the posts that I have missed and to look around your gorgeous blog.
Love & Hugs
Duchess ♥♥♥
I'm LOVING that gorgeous orange bag and seriously….those legs lady. Geesh! How do you do it?
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