Who is Hollister Hovey?

Hollister Hovey. It’s the kind of name that gets you to thinking...

Who is this Hollister Hovey?


Well, she is one of my favorite bloggers to start. And she lives in my neighborhood. And she has well placed ear to the ground about things I just love. I consult her blog regularly to read of her colorful adventures, style musings, and to find restaurants, bars, & shops that I know I will like. She calls it New Vintage, and I totally understand. Now do you see why I just had to meet her and make her portrait – and find out who the real Ms. Hovey is?







Stepping into her loft is like walking into an exquisitely crafted exhibit of curiosities collected over a lifetime, from someone who has lived a fascinating life. Ms. Hovey has a wonderfully seasoned style that is a unique mix of colonial-end-of-the-empire textures and colors (zebra rug, hunting trophies), apothecary curiosities, ornate & eclectic vintage mixed harmoniously with simple, substantial modern pieces. And a bit of the gothic in there, but maybe that is in the eye of the beholder. Oh I just had a great time looking...finding little vignettes everywhere. Decor adore!










And she was so kind and gracious to let me investigate...and move her from here to there and back, and put your hand here and lift your chin a bit and so on. I really cannot do her justice with words. For a much more eloquent interview read this one by John Clarke Jr. in BlackBook . I do the pictures, ok?


Techy:
The atmosphere of the space is enhanced by a large skylight that adds that dramatic Victorian photo studio lighting to the whole affair. I used this available light, which I was thrilled about. I had to work around it a bit with the help of a reflector, because it was too directly overhead for some shots. Also I had to use a tripod, which is not my preferred method. However since I have been loving working with dim available light these days, it is a necessity. Another necessity is shooting at ASA 1600-3200! Needless to say I have embraced digital noise.

Luddite, Inc.

Lud·dite - noun :

1. Any of a group of British workers who between 1811 and 1816 rioted and destroyed laborsaving textile machinery in the belief that such machinery would diminish employment.

2. One who opposes technical or technological change

3. Store, disguised as a museum, of amazing curiosities and well worn artifacts located at 27 Broadway, in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge.

I fall in love a little bit with any place (or person) that gives me the feeling of being transported to another world or era, and lets me believe in it, wholly.   Walking into Luddite feels like finding a hidden attic of that long lost, very interesting relative - you know the one that was a pioneer and survived the war and was a jazz musician and raised 12 children and made due with basically nothing.  That makes me happy and inspires photos.

Lord Whimsy and The Rose Callahan Treatment

Folks, let me introduce you to my new friend Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy.

Oh what fun it was to meet this gentleman and make his portrait!  He is the author of The Affected Provincial's Companion, a whimsical guidebook to how to cultivate joi de vivre in this wet wool world.

I found out about Whimsy from my beau who was searching for bespoke clothing, and one thing led to another and I knew it was my glorious fate to drive to New Jersey and document this man!

Whimsy is just one of those people that transport you to another realm when you are around them.  Suddenly the world of track suits and sneakers fades away, and Whimsy's world of curiosities, carnivorous plants, and flowery verbiage comes into focus.  I was in heaven!  And I think Whimsy enjoyed himself as well:

"That's right: I got The Rose Callahan Treatment.  And you know what? I loved it."

- Lord Whimsy in his blog "The Affected Provincial's Almanac"

I loved it too, Whimsy!

Haunted Trails!

Chicago is officially awesome.