I recently traveled to Italy on a buying trip for the Village shops, with the goal of sourcing leather goods more directly and, hopefully, finding better pricing for some of the items we bring to Dovecote and Thistle & Oak.
I had been invited to attend the show in Milan again, but this time I extended the trip by a few days so I could travel to Florence and explore some of the leather companies and wholesalers in and around the city.
It was my first time really exploring Florence, and I was lucky enough to have Keebe with me. She speaks fluent Italian from the time she spent in the area after college, which was invaluable for the buying side of the trip, but even more special was seeing Florence through her eyes. In between appointments, she showed me places she remembered and loved, many of them away from the more obvious tourist routes. I think that made the city feel much more personal. We even visited a few bookstores along the way, including one located in the old Odeon cinema which was very special.
A very dear and generous friend also offered us her apartment, which could not have been in a better location—right on the Arno River, just beside the Ponte Vecchio. Waking up there each morning and stepping out into Florence was such a treat.
And, of course, there was the work.
We were able to find some wonderful new bags and leather goods that will be coming to Dovecote and Thistle & Oak, along with a beautiful collection of Italian papers from Rossi 1931. You will soon see those at McIntyre’s Books, and we are also hoping to develop some custom pieces for Nest.
Trips like this are always a balance. It is difficult to be away, especially when there is so much happening at home, but I almost always return feeling inspired and rejuvenated. There is something about seeing how things are made, meeting the people behind the products, discovering new ideas, and simply experiencing a different place that resets the creative part of my brain.
And coming home is just as exciting.
While I was away, the team had been busy here too. Chef Gagne has introduced the new fall menu which I was able to see the last couple of days, and there are more changes coming throughout the Village as we move into our busy fall season.
That is one of the things I love most about this time of year. There is so much happening at once—new merchandise arriving, menus changing, events filling the calendar, and the Village shifting into fall.
So while part of me is still thinking about Florence, leather, and beautiful Italian papers, I am very happy to be home and excited for everything that is just ahead.
