Perpetual getaway
HALLIE GOODMAN • Hallie Goodman Design
CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine
HALLIE GOODMAN • founder and principal designer • Hallie Goodman Design
Neighborhood you live in: Kinderhook, NY
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
My clients are all over the country, but the biggest concentration (by far) are in Brooklyn. I work from there a day or two a week, but by Friday, I like to be back Upstate. There’s a sense of expansiveness that being a few hours north of the city brings.
Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
A Friday night Upstate means a dinner party or a great restaurant with a few friends. A consistently delicious place is Feast & Floret in Hudson. I highly recommend the tagliatelle bolognese, it’s exactly right. The dark chocolate budino is spectacular. If sweets aren’t your thing, treat yourself to a gorgeous bouquet on the way out.
How about a little leisure or culture?
A pocket of unscheduled time feels utterly luxurious to me, so Saturday mornings are reserved for what I call therapeutic puttering, and hanging out with my husband. Sometimes I’ll run out to Morning Bird Cafe, our lovely local coffee shop in Kinderhook, to get us each a mochi donut. Doesn’t it seem like chefs are forever attempting to elevate the humble donut? Well, drop your pencils, people, it’s been sorted.
By afternoon I’m ready to do a bit of sourcing. Hudson is famous for its concentration of world-class antique dealers, so it’s kind-of beyond shopping, it’s also an inspiration and an education for me. I can’t count the number of treasures I’ve found for clients at Good Eye House and Style. Anna, the owner, is a good friend and we are forever selling each other things as we redecorate our own homes and cycle objects in and out. I also love Freaks’ for sexy, moody pieces, and Furlong for hard-to-find vintage lighting. Further south, Quittner Home in Germantown is another fave for handmade and turn of the century pieces.
Any weekend getaways?
I live in a weekend getaway town, so a break for me is either a sprawling road trip-treasure hunt, or a staycation with some kind of spa element. For the latter, I’m not sure you can beat Piaule Catskill. I’m a lover of stuff, but when minimalism is done in an organic, human way, it can be such a peaceful palate cleanse. Priority number one for me is a really good soak, but great design doesn’t hurt.
What was your last great vacation?
I haven’t traveled much the last few years as my business has kept me incredibly busy. But I’ve finally reached a place where I can take a deep breath and plan a few trips. Portugal is on my proverbial dream board right now, as is Paris. A lovely Parisian Designer on Call client offered to be my brocante guide, and I can’t wait to take her up on that offer. I’d love to stay at the joyful looking Hotel Les Deux Garres, I’m all about a colorful vintage-style bathroom. Or perhaps the chic Château Voltaire, which my fashion girlies swear by.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Remember the old Sex in the City cliche — how instead of actual savings Carrie had a mountain of Manolos? For me that’s abstract paintings and interesting chairs. Luckily, I can justify hoarding special pieces for design projects. Live Auctioneer is my drug of choice, and Westport Auction, Public Sale, and Showplace are among my favorites to follow.
What store or service do you always recommend?
My studio manager, Kate, also teaches Barre — she’s the least annoying workout person I’ve ever met. She leads a killer class at Lava Hot Yoga in Hudson and I recommend it to anyone who will listen.