It’s gift guide season, and your social media feeds are stuffed with gift suggestions for all the personalities in your life: the tech nerd, the skincare enthusiast, the home cook, your boss, your brother-in-law on an ashram in Canada…
But there’s one persona those lists have overlooked: your friend/partner/co-worker with a penchant for upstate decor. Luckily, we’ve done the research, featuring Escape Brooklyn’s favorite small, independent shops mentioned in our travel guides and beyond. Check out our recs below, and make your support of small businesses a little woodsier.
Stocking Stuffers:
Neon twisted tapers: Swap the candy consumables for decor consumables this year by adding tapers to your stockings. They give drama to a room and you can never have enough. Available at Poor George in Cold Spring, NY.
Artichoke candles: For the WASPs and cottagecore-heads among us (raise your hand!) Available at Hammertown with locations in Pine Plains and Rhinebeck, NY and Great Barrington, MA.
Fish Pocket Knife: For the angler in your life, or to give your cheese plate some rustic, upstate flair. Available at Clove & Creek with locations in Kingston, NY and Hudson, NY.
Woven Coasters: The yarn in these coasters is made from 70% plastic bottles, so you can feel good about the environment while protecting your table. Available at Minna in Hudson, NY.
Under $25:
Black Chevron Linen Napkins: For a moody upgrade to your table. Available at Homestedt in Livingston Manor, NY.
Classic enamelware: Bring the campground inside the home with classic enamelware. Available at One Mercantile in Great Barrington, MA.
Recycled Moroccan wine glasses: These squat cuties pair well with your best friend who *loves orange wine* Available at Berte in Beacon, NY.
Oversized Tea Towels: These sustainably made, fair-trade hand towels add a pop of color to a kitchen or bathroom. Available at Reservoir in Cold Spring, NY.
Mushroom Kitchen Towel: Or, live the #shroomlife with these mushie towels. Available at Batterby House in Beacon, NY.
Under $50:
Pale Pink Glass Candlesticks: A good match for those stocking-stuffer tapers, these delicate, zany candlesticks nod to vintage pink depression glass with a distinctly modern shape. Available at Hops Petunia in Kingston, NY.
Hot Water Bottle: Sexy they are not, but hot water bottles are the best upstate trick for staying warm and cozy, and make an excellent gift. Available at Clove & Creek with locations in Kingston, NY and Hudson, NY.
Handblock Printed Tablecloth: Tablecloths give panache to a dinner party, and guess what, dinner parties are back. Available at Spruce Home Goods in Callicoon, NY.
Steven Weinburg Kaaterskill Falls Print: Catskills local artist Steven Weinburg has captured our hearts (and eyeballs) for years. No upstate home is complete without one of his signature trout or waterfall prints, both available online and in-shop. Available at Catskill Outpost in Stamford, NY.
Catskills Pennant: Pair with a pine candle and you’re basically in the park. Available at Homestedt in Livingston Manor, NY.
Brass Candle Douter: Essential object for anyone who uses tapers! As functional as it is beautiful. Available at Sunny’s Pop in Narrowsburg, NY.
City Quitters: One of the most upstate coffee table books to own. Be in the know. Available at Long Weekend in Livingston Manor, NY.
Pillar Candle: No candleholders, no problem, with these self-standing pillar candles. Available at Minna in Hudson, NY.
Under $100:
Primavera Hook Pillow: Our favorite florist in pillow form. Available at Hops Petunia in Kingston, NY.
Porcelain Check Mugs: These delicate mugs will bring aesthetic peace to your morning coffee ritual. Available at Sunny’s Pop in Narrowsburg, NY.
Camp Green Bird Silo: A gift for anyone with a backyard, the symmetrical, minimal birdfeeder is made from recycled plastic. Available at Concrete & Water in Livingston Manor, NY.
Capra Designs Roma Planter: Is it neo-classical? Is it modern? Does it matter? This showstopper plant house adds color to a room. Available at Flora Good Times in Beacon, NY.
Over $100:
Catskills Quilt: If you love Catskill Park so much why don’t you sleep with it? Available at Clove & Creek with locations in Kingston, NY and Hudson, NY.
Sheepskin Rug: Indulge your cabin fantasies with this soft sheepskin. Available at Spruce Home Goods in Callicoon, NY.
Rechargeable Mushroom Lamp: As useful in a tent as on your desk. Available at Hawkins New York in New York City.
Mutwa Handwoven Cotton Pillow: We love all the pillows carried here. Neutrals with pops of color are a safe bet, but browse through for bolder additions to your sofa. Available at The Stonehouse in Delhi, NY.
Firewood Carry: For the aspiring rugged lumberjack in your life. Available at Cold Spring General Store in Cold Spring, NY.
