With yesterday’s opening of the Salem Farmers’ Market, Salem Main Streets has revived a Salem, Massachusetts tradition, dating back to 1634. The Old Town Hall in Derby Square, behind Artists Row, was formerly known as the Market House.  It is the site of both the original and the new market, which encircles the stately 1816 Federal Style building (credited in part to both Charles Bulfinch and Samuel McIntire). The historic venue in downtown Salem is an ideal showcase for local food and handiworks, all within walking distance of Essex and Front Street retail and cultural attractions.

The launch of the event drew a bustling crowd eager to enjoy community fare and the first sunshine in days. Live acoustic music by Qwill and the duo of Emily Russo and Will Faust added a festive air. I overheard one proud Salem participant say to his companion, “Look at this! Eat our dust Marblehead.” There’s nothing like a little, friendly, town rivalry.

The Clark Farm stand was especially popular. Folks lined up in droves for heirloom tomatoes, baskets of strawberries, and bundles of lettuce, among other produce. If your taste leans more toward the sea than the farm, there was something there for you too: fresh seafood from A & J Lobsters and Rowand's Fisheries. Hand made soaps, scarves, and pottery added some artistry to the scene.

Don’t worry if you missed the opening day, the event will be held every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. through October 29, 2009. It’s a great and apt asset for Salem. Drop in on the Salem Arts Association gallery, the Peabody Essex Museum, and Cinema Salem gallery en route.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

All too often the driveway is a design throwaway. Not this one. Here there are three clearly considered zones: the outer area for passersby; the large, intermediate area for a car; and the more intimate, inner pathway for guests or occupants.

The old, masonry sidewalk and curbstone, which accommodate the passing public, set the scene with authentic, worn, brick and granite. The intermediate zone is defined by a Belgian block border, which frames a pea-stone car pad, and continues off-camera to the left in the form of a Belgian block footpath leading to the front entry. The complementary color of the pea-stone infill provides subtle differentiation in texture and demarcated purpose. Plus, pea stone is more economical than Belgian block. A double row of Belgian block announces a threshold between the car pad and the pea-stone, inner footpath, which is appropriately less formal than the front footpath.

Lush perimeter plantings, below fence height, soften the edges, and progress from the more casual toward the street, to the more refined toward the inner gate. Climbing roses add a splash of color for passersby to enjoy.

Overall, this driveway creates a rich, nuanced experience. As an added perk, the pervious assemblage facilitates drainage in the process.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

My "Art of a Barn"A few years ago I went to my first Art in the Barn in Essex, Mass. on a gorgeous June afternoon and was enthralled. I asked my husband if he wanted to go back to the barns the next weekend too. That’s when I learned, to my dismay, that it’s an annual fundraising event. As much as I would like to spend many weekends each summer at the Greenbelt’s exquisite Cox Reservation, browsing inspirational art within venerable structures perched above salt marshes, I (and you) must make do with only one weekend per year. This summer’s event wrapped up yesterday. So why mention it now? Well it’s not too late to share some of the featured artists with you, even if you weren’t able to attend.

I spotted Carolyn Kerr’s porcelain dinnerware from Neptune Designz last year, and couldn’t resist it this year. I snapped up a colorful tray, convincing myself that my friend needs it, knowing full well that I wanted it for myself. Black & white photography by Ben Staples and Dorothy Kerper Monnelly, each of Ipswich, took my breath away. The rich, tonal range of their work captures the stunning beauty of uniquely New England landscapes. Look for the photography of Dorothy Kerper Monnelly in Between Land and Sea, The Great Marsh. It’s exquisite. Dazzlingly colorful, fiber collages by Claudine Lesk reminded me of The Quilts of Gee’s Bend in miniature. After a quick visit to Lesk’s website, I learned that she too makes stunning quilts. Whimsical, outdoor, steel sculptures by Chris Williams were also noteworthy.

Who knows what would have caught your eye, so next June be sure to look for Art in the Barn 2010. Maybe if enough folks express interest, the Essex County Greenbelt Association would consider a fall Art in the Barn. It’s probably worth asking.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Wednesday's Globe highlighted a growing phenomenon which is win-win for everyone. Michael Prager's article features three "urban ag outfits" in the Boston area that participate in lawn farming. Their innovative business models range from full care, using homeowner property for community supported agriculture (in which property owners get a share or portion of a share depending on garden size); to garden creation, so homeowners can grow their own produce; to consulting. 

Living in a condo, with only a tiny patio, a lawn farm isn't an option for me, but I'd happily contribute to a nearby urban community garden farmed by others. (As I've confessed before, I'm not much of a gardener, more of a garden fan.) Or maybe, just maybe, it's time for me to give this community gardening thing a try. Either way, Grow Salem will be hearing from me.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

I first discovered the bliss of photography while a student at RISD. For years afterwards I focused on black & white photography and the techniques of the zone system. Along the way, I dabbled with Polaroid transfers, photo polymer etching, the Holga toy camera, and pinhole photography. I came to digital photography and the world of color slowly. Today, I’m a happy convert.

My favorite subject matter, as you might expect, is home: exterior & interior, garden, landscape, seascape, and farm. I’m now offering select fine art photos for sale in the form of prints and note cards. I have a link to my photo gallery in the navigation bar of this website and here as well. I hope you’ll take a look. Of course, I also welcome custom photo assignments. In the meantime, I’m off to scout for more photo moments. Cheers.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast