The Roving Home Stylebook Issue 4

The Roving Home s t y l e b o o k

Inside the stylebook...

Events Our Spring Home(re)Cycled Show

In the Shop Lighting

Elements The Desk of a Great American Novelist

In the Field Berry Picking in Style

Volume I, Issue IV

Living by the Ocean is a spectacular way to live, but here on Cape Ann -- which is essentially a chunk of granite -- the experience is even more outstanding with its variety of terrain.

There are woods, rocks, fields, meadows, creeks, quarries, salt marshes -- all of it surrounded by the sea.

In this stylebook we take advantage of this diversity and spend some time in the woods picking berries (as opposed to hanging out on the beach). And we do this in style of course.

Lighting plays a featured role in these pages, and we have fun showcasing the elements of the desk of the great American novelist.

Everything added together gives this stylebook a decidedly masculine air.

While this wasn’t intentional, it seems like a good time to point out that men are having a moment when it comes to good design, particularly the retro-inclined man with an eye for quality, useful pieces. And here at The Roving Home we can appreciate the across-the-genders appeal of vintage stuff as much as the next guy.

Styling & Design

Photography

Sarah Kelly lives in Rockport, Massachusetts & is the mind behind The Roving Home. The items featured on these pages can be found on The Roving Home’s website www.therovinghome.com

Esther Mathieu is a natural light photographer based in Rockport,Mass.

Contact her at www.esthermathieu.com

Events Our Spring Home(re)Cycled Pop-up Shop

The Roving Home created a pop-up shop inside the Tusinski Gallery at 2 Main Street in our hometown of Rockport this past Spring. The show involved taking old things and making them new, including an ancient recipe for bitingly refreshing drink called Ginger Switchel (check it out on the next page). The show was fun to put together and the artist Karen Tusinski was a generous soul for hosting The Roving Home in her lovely gallery located in a 19th century Rockport structure, refreshed by Karen’s contemporary paintings in a setting that brought the best of old & new together.

Photos courtesy of Carolyn Mohr

Haymaker’s Ginger Switchel • • • • • • •

9 cups water, divided 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger 1/4 cup honey, or pure maple syrup 1/4 cup molasses 3/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup cider vinegar Fresh berries, mint sprigs or lemon slices for garnish

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Combine 3 cups water with ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let infuse for 15 minutes.

Strain the ginger-infused water into a pitcher, pressing on the ginger solids to extract all the liquid. Add honey (or maple syrup) and molasses; stir until dissolved.

Stir in lemon juice, vinegar and the remaining 6 cups water. Chill until very cold, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Stir the punch and serve in tall glasses over ice cubes. Garnish with berries, mint sprigs or lemon slices, if desired.

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from eatingwell.com

In the Shop

Gooseneck Lamps throw a party...

...and you’re invited. So why does The Roving Home always carry a selection of Gooseneck Lamps? 1) They’re practical. 2) Each one is slightly (or more than slightly) unique in style and patina. 3) They’re a genuine article of American manufacturing in its heyday. And a reminder that back then, good design was displayed on every desk. Prices range from $45 to $68.

The Roving Home’s idea of a chandelier:

Custom-made for The Roving Home from our stash of vintage pieces. A giant old wood beam + massive vintage cable with twine wrapping + small clear lightbulbs = one-of-a-kind lighting to make your interior warm & industrial all at once. Go to our website for details.

Elements From the Desk of...

The

Great American Novelist What does a writer need to feel inspired? A sharp pencil, fresh typewriter ribbon and a the bright spotlight of a gooseneck lamp. Here’s to the tools of the trade and other objects of inspiration for the great 20th century writers. And after you discover the elements of a writer’s desk, it’s time to begin. In the immortal words of Charles Schultz, “It was a dark and stormy night...”

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Nautical touches Wood tones Animal imagery Icons of Patriotism More wood (faux bois, in this case)

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6. The natural world 7. Tools of the trade, in metal 8. Books (of course!)

The Composition 48-star silk desktop Flag (ca. 1950s) $42. Metal Gooseneck Lamp: $65.

Olive metal Royal Typewriter (ca. 1930s): $55. Lunar Globe: $48. Deer Antlers: $55. Wooden souvenir Oar: $65. Hand-carved Anchor Plaque: $35.

Cast iron Elephant (ca 1920s): $45.

Berry Picking Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen.

At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot.

You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer’s blood was in it Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for Picking. Then red ones inked up and that hunger Sent us out with milk cans, pea tins, jam pots Where briars scratched and wet grass bleached our boots.

-- Seamus Heaney

The berry basket is from the Longaberger Basket Company, made in Ohio.

Vintage picnic suitcase, ca. 1960s comes with sandwich case and two thermoses. $65

Wood pattern picnic case & table from The Roving Home. Gingham napkins & plates from the Dollar Tree.

Picking Berries Crayon on paper Phin Kelly, 2012

Until next time...