This past week I had the privilege of visiting several wonderful primitive shops in New England, some for fun and some for business but always delightful! We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful shops in New England to find just the right primitive accessories and antiques. If only we had unlimited time and an unlimited budget! Some of these shops I have shared before, some are new. I hope you enjoy following along.
On Tuesday, my dear friend Karen – of Catskill Mountain Prims was back in MA to help her sister and before she headed home to the Catskills, she stopped by My Red Door for lunch and after that we headed northwest to Templeton, Ma to Country Mischief. I have blogged about this great store several times in the past so if you go to my left sidebar under labels, you can click on Country Mischief to see pics or you can click ~HERE~ for the website. It is a huge antique home with many rooms filled to the brim with all kinds of great primitives and antiques. Gail and her staff are always changing things up so there is always something new to see. It was fun to see A Primitive Place magazine displayed right inside the front door! Gail kindly shared some of the history of the home with Karen and I and even showed us the ‘inside outhouse’ room. I didn’t have my camera with me so do check out my previous posts and make sure to read the history on the website. While in the dining room of the restaurant inside the home, I spotted a goody that spoke my name. It’s a new piece for a wall in my kitchen. I am going to make some minor changes in there and I’ll share that in a future post! On her visit, Karen brought me the sweetest early birthday present – a wonderful little redware pitcher. I am saving that for the same future post. Thanks Karen! I love it!!
Did you all see Karen’s home in the new Home Tours Issue of Country Sampler? I haven’t seen it yet but her kitchen is on the cover and she is featured inside. Despite being a very active member in the A Primitive Place forum, Karen was very quiet about being chosen for that magazine out of respect and consideration for the App staff because we had just announced the kickoff of the A Primitive Place magazine. She is a dear friend and I am so thrilled for her! If you don’t have the magazine, you can see her beautiful home on her Picture trail – just click ~HERE~. By the way, You HAVE to see how she painted her kitchen counter and refrigerator with Caromal Colours paint. She explains it in her Picture trail kitchen album ~she is so creative and talented!
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On Thursday, I spent time with another dear friend - Audrey and I enjoyed a sunny cool day and packed our lunches and headed ‘a ways south’ to Stonington, CT to Milltown Primitives. Robin moved to store from Mystic CT to it’s current location last year but before she could open, she rehabbed the interior of the shop and it is prim eye candy. I had been here once before but this was a first for Audrey and she wasn’t disappointed! The store is so inviting from the outside…
And inside does not disappoint either! 
We both bought a few little goodies and I made myself a wish list for my next visit! You can see more of the store, and find the address and directions by going to the website ~here~.
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And today, Bonnie, Audrey, Ashley and I had the pleasure of attending the Spring Open House and magazine signing at our dear friend Judy’s store in Hopkinton, MA – Country Plus. It was a delightful afternoon meeting fans …
signing the magazine….
and doing a little shopping for ourselves! I made a little wish list for myself here too. Bet you can’t guess some of the items on it…
Thanks to the gals who came by with pictures of their homes to share with us and thank you Judy for hosting us and making us feel so welcome! For the address and directions to this wonderful shop, you can go to the website ~here~.
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After leaving Judy’s, we took a short drive through the lovely town of Hopkinton. Like so many towns in New England, it is so picturesque. Just look at how pretty the gazebo looks on the common…
We continued a very short distance into the town of Holliston and made a stop at another delightful shop ~ Jackie’s Primitives. Look what we spotted…
Jackie told us she sold out of her first wholesale order quickly and had to reorder more magazines! We were so pleased to hear that!
Having recognized us from the magazine, Jackie and her husband warmly welcomed us. They have a great shop…
…full of wonderful primitive accessories and antiques, and once again we all found some goodies for ourselves and I made another wish list for my next visit! Bet you can’t guess what’s on this one…
I couldn’t find a website, so here is all the info you’ll want when you head out to visit: Jackie's Primitives, 76 Railroad St, Holliston, MA 01746, 508-429-1317 Hours: Wed- Sun. 11-5. She will be having an Open House March 26 and 27th from 11-5 – do stop by!!
In addition to an unlimited budget, I need a bigger home!
If you stop by any of these wonderful shops after reading this, please do tell the shop owners that Linda Rudman from A Primitive Place magazine sent you!
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Thank you for all the warm and supportive comments after my last post. My heart goes out to each of you also dealing with that dreadful disease or watching your parents health fail.
A very special thanks to Melissa from over at Libbie’s Home blog for the info on getting the cassette tapes I have of my mom, onto CD’s. She sent me a file with instructions and when I get a chance to try it, I’ll let you all know how I did. Thanks so much Melissa. HUGS!!
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Today I am thankful for:
…kind and thoughtful blog friends
….living in New England
…having a reliable vehicle
…having our grown children and grand daughter close by
…dear friends who share the same passion for primitives
…dear friends who send me uplifting and caring messages
Thanks once again for your visit Behind My Red Door. Until next time – hugs, Grammee Linda
29 sweet friends left a comment here!:
Thanks so much for sharing such lovely pictures and having such an interesting post! It was so enjoyable to read.
Lots more places to put on the "Visit someday" list, Linda. Looks like it was yet another fun and friend filled day/week!
♥♥.
Lynne
what fun you are having!...good for you!...I wish almost more than anything that I knew someone who loved to visit antique shoppes and prim stores...it looks like such fun to have girls days out!...thanks for sharing!
Janet
Hi Linda. Your posts are so beautiful, and well thought out. I love seeing the fun places you get to travel to, and the lovely shops you visit along the way. Even though I am not Prim...per se, I do love antiques, and early Americana. I find myself being more and more drawn to vintage sort of style as well. I do so enjoy seeing what you have been up to.
Hope that all is well with you and your family. Wedding plans coming along yet?
So much fun Linda, I really enjoyed reading this one and seeing your beautiful photos! Just love Judy's and Jackie's shops, favorites when we are out and about! Can't wait to go to Robin's shop as well... another day! Keep up the great work!
~Kris
Thanks for sharing all the pics of those wonderful shops. Nothing like that in Texas so pics are especially wonderful for me. The next best thing to being there.8-)
Blessings,
Lorna
Oh now I am really homesick
My favorite antique shop !
I got a so many good finds there !
I used to hit Jackies every time Id get back to Milford, and there was always something I could afford!
Great Post...you had so much fun I can tell!!
Great end for a long week!
I've never been to the New England area but it will happen! As soon as our youngest son is out of college we will be able to take a vacation! This will be my first pick! Beautiful pictures!
Oh Linda what a great tour of the shops and picturesque towns. Since I can't be there myself to enjoy the tours with you, this was the next best thing! I would be so broke if I lived so close to all those wonderful shops!hmmmmm.......let me think. What could you be putting on those wish lists? LOL Hugs to you my friend!
You girls looked like you had so much fun!! I sure wish we all lived closer...I would LOVE to join you guys!! I enjoyed seeing all of the pics of the wonderful shops you've visited. I'm adding them to my already LONG list of shops to visit the next time I come to Massachusetts...and I WILL be back! LOL Thanks for sharing!
Take care, my friend!!
~Kris~
Hi Linda...........what a fun post to read first thing this morning.
All of the shop keepers you mention seem to be such friendly and talented people to have such welcoming shops.
Can't wait to see where you go next!
Linda
Such eye candy Linda! I always feel close to my roots after seeing pictures from the photo shoots and visits to the wonderful shops-then I get a little weepy for my native New England!
Blessings to you,
~Sheila
What a wonderful part of the world to live in! New England is at the top of my bucket list to visit. And I'll be bringing a U-Haul! Thanks so much for sharing.
That's a lot of eye candy for one blog. I seen so many wonderful things! Thanks for sharing all those wonderful shops with us.
I loved your what I'm thankful for this week!
Donna
Wow! If I am ever lucky enough to get out your way, I may need a moving van to get back home...LOL! It must be wonderful to have that many shops to visit!
I really enjoyed seeing all your pictures and it looks like you all had a wonderful day!
I saw Karen's home in Country Sampler and it was wonderful! She has done a fantastic job! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
~Dan~
Another wonderful display of pictures. I know it takes some effort to post these Linda, so thank you for what you do. blessings, marlene
OMG...I am on a diet(budget)...again! cause my wish list is endless...probably a good thing I live on the west coast. Just wait 'til we take our next trip out to New England.
Thanks for sharing and teasing,
Have a Blessed Day,
Barb ;o)
I can't wait for the new Country Sampler to arrive on the newsstands here. I think I have my Primitive Place magazine memorized from cover to cover by now! I need a new fix!
Oh those shops, Linda. With your help, we'll hopefully be visiting some of them in to not too distant future...if our budget can stand it after our recent renos.
Now, your 'minor' changes to your kitchen wouldn't involve painting the cupboards...would it? Has Mr. Red Door finally 'caved'? *wink*
Blessing to you and your Mom and Dad. I know exactly what you are experiencing having gone through it with my Dad. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful and inspirational photos. Now I must go back and 'study' them in detail.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time on all your outings. Thank you for all the wonderful eye candy. I can't wait to see all your new goodies and where you're going to put them!!!
Hello Dear Grammee Linda,
I am glad that you had such a nice time with your good friends. You needed some fun time...friend time and prim time. I hope that spending time with your friends, shopping and promoting your beautiful magazine brought smiles to your heart after the hard day you had Wednesday.
My heart goes out to you. Slow goodbyes are the hardest kind I think. John's sister, Celia has not known any of us for the past 2 years. Celia is an empty shell of the person she once was.I think Alzheimer's is most cruel of all diseases.
I am sorry your sweet, talented mother and you and your family are going through this difficult time. It is so sad. I am glad that you have nice recordings and memories of your real mom before Alzheimer's started steeling her away. I will ad your mom and you to my daily prayers. I am so sorry. I am sending love your way.
Hugs, Grammy L
Morning girl...love all this eyecandy...what a great trip y'all had....I got my copy of Country Sampler Home Tour Edition yesterday at the grocery store....loads of pretties in there! Hope you have a great day girl...Picket
Hi Linda, looks so awesome and what a great job to have being able to go and hang out at all those great prim shops and homes. I long for that kind of job. I totally get why you have to make a list in some of those stores because they could really break the bank if your not careful!!!
Yes my daughter is starting Junior Kindergarten this year and then next year she'll move up to Senior Kindergarten then on to grade one. I don't know why they changed it from when I was little but they did and now the kids start school when they are 4. Crazy. But it cuts the daycare bill in half so that is a bonus with it.
Have a great week!
Lynnly
Oh Linda, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog, you are a wonderful person!
I am blessed that I don't need a lottery ticket, Hubby makes enough money for me to shop every weekend, you are I are so blessed to have wonderful Husbands.
Also, great pics of the shops you were at!
We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful prim shops in our area!
Have a wonderful week Linda.
Linda,
Thank you so much for the wonderful little
trip through New England. Even though I
live in Western Mass.,I still marvel at the
towns and villages throughout New England.
You probably know this already, but a trip
down Route 6A from Sandwich down to Provincetown
is another feast for the eyes and the soul.
We used to live in Plymouth and we were
always on the Cape checking out the stores
and most of the time leaving with some great things. Blessings to you and yours, I keep
waiting anxiously for my next issue of APP
I wish you all continued success.
Warm Regards,
Susan B. Western MA
Linda, I just read further up (I haven't had
time to read all the blogs that I follow)and
I failed in my earlier comment to express my sadness about your dear mother.
My fiance and I have my 85 year old mom living
with us, and she has it,too. She isn't "gone"
yet, but she exhibits massive loss of memory,
confused with day/night time, and gets very agitated out of nowhere. We just can't put her in a home,she always begged me years ago to never do that to her. I am so lucky, really fortunate, to have the help I have from my partner. He takes care of her
with me and takes care of the housework and
grocery shopping. I think it's awesome that you
have the tapes of your mom and can have those memories for always. God Bless you all,
Warmest Regards
Susan B.Western MA
I would just go crazy if I were in all those shops!!!! You wouldn't be able to drag me out, for sure! It's so sad that most of our prim shops are now gone in this area. I have to travel quite a ways to find anything like what you show here!!!!! I want it all! Thanks so much for all the pictures, Linda. And what a wonderful thing to have the tapes of your mom put on CD's!!! Forever memories for you. And I loved your thank you list! Your heart is so big and warm!
Linda...gorgeous photos!!
I have not been keeping up with some of the Blogs I had when I first started Blogging (distraction)...and have just recently learned of Colleen's news, and now here, your mom's. I love both of your Blogs and will be back to visiting regularly....
Anyway, Linda, so sorry about your mom. I know just how you feel. My sweet mom had that illness and it was so very hard to watch. I know that closer to the end, while she may not have known who I was (her only child) or my 3 children..she knew that she loved us, and that was all that mattered. I miss her terribly and it is 4 1/2 years now since she passed. Enjoy your mom...I know it's hard....and will get harder...but cherish each day you can spend with her...
Take care
Marion
Linda,
I'm new to your site and have to say that I love, love, love it!!
Also, to the person who wanted to know about the jug dispenser in your bathroom, the guys at Circa Home Living have one that is almost like it. And for the person who commented about the way you disguise your trash, Red Rooster Bed and Breakfast makes a wooden cover that I hope to be able to buy someday.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much Debra for those sources!! I appreciate you taking the time to let us all know!
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