Skip to main content

Written by Colleen Coleman
of CMC Design studio LLC

Colleen Coleman is the Principal of  CMC Design Studio LLC located in Saratoga Springs. With certifications in Kitchen & Bath Design, Aging in Place and True Color Expert, her curated design extends into all areas of her field including new construction, historical and major renovations. Her passion is in designing & customizing hand-crafted cabinets for all areas of the residential market.

What a glorious thing…
The Summer Season…
here in Saratoga!

Flowers are all in bloom, the blue skies glisten until 9 p.m. and the nights fade with a cool New York evening by the firepit! It’s days like these that we wish they’d never end! I know the time you’ve spent preparing your homes and gardens for these prized days was well worth the effort as you now sit back and take in the view! But there’s always room to add just one more touch of Saratoga to the mix! My travels to catch up with our local shops and boutiques paid off…and I can’t wait to share them with you! Come along with me for a stroll!

Compliments to the Chef

33 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs
SaratogaChef.com | 518-226-4477

For my first stop, I landed at Compliments To The Chef where I was warmly greeted by Paula Reardon (John’s beautiful wife) and their newly married daughter, Aubrey. Check out the Spring/Summer edition of Saratoga Bride…including the cover…to read a father-daughter memoir to each other! So beautiful…so Saratoga! Compliments To The Chef is THE BEST source for all your cooking needs! And for Summer, I hit the jackpot on MUST-HAVES like this TOADFISH Shucker’s Bundle. What’s a shucker?? Why…for shucking oysters of course! The kit includes a Put ‘Em Back Oyster Knife, Shucking Cloth and Professional Oyster knife. The Toadfish team has really gone all out in their mission to not only provide you with the most ergonomic, non-slip handle design and full length blades, they’re also passionate about planting oyster habitats to clean our coastal waters. For your best oyster fest, check out their cut-proof & puncture resistant cloth specifically designed for opening shellfish! If you’ve ever shucked…you understand why this cloth is a great find! It’s also crafted of antimicrobial material that’s safe to toss into the washing machine for another day of tackling oysters! Once those oysters are open, you’ll need a dish of butter for dipping! Be sure to pick up enough of these Ceramic Butter Warmers for each of your guests…a perfect addition to any shucking party! And of course, lemons are also a must so why not wedge them up on a Horse Bust Cutting Board to add a touch of Saratoga no matter where you shuck your clams! See what I mean when I said this place is THE BEST source for all your cooking needs! I wouldn’t go anywhere else!

Impressions of Saratoga

368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0666

Just down Broadway at Impressions of Saratoga you know they’ll have all things Saratoga including Saratoga Jockey Silks Tea Towels…I love buying a variety of towels for each season! 100% pre-washed linen to dress up your kitchen or use as a guest bath towel. With a wide variety available for the summer season, they make a great house warming gift too!  Then I spotted this…The Linda Lou Horse Kitchen Sink Strainer! What is a Saratoga home without one of these?? I mean, even the dirty dishes will race to see who can get cleaned first! And I know you’ve all seen the large Saratoga Finish Line Pole here at the store or on a bike being toted up and down Broadway…but did you know you could get a Saratoga Mini ¼ Pole to adorn a smaller area like a table on your covered porch or bar? At 15” high, it’s the perfect finish line for any gathering! For ceramic collectors…you’ll want to hurry in to see their collection of Ceramika Boleslawiec Polish Pottery with floral and equine motifs. All hand painted and detailed in Poland, these “Unikat” limited-edition collector pieces are made only once a year and in limited quantities. Each piece is signed by the individual artist, carrying specific Unikat numbers. All their pieces are fired at temperatures exceeding 1250 degrees Celsius, so these beauties are safe for the oven, microwave and dishwasher!

Each piece is signed by the individual artist, carrying specific Unikat numbers

Dark Horse Mercantile

445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0689

Down the street at The Dark Horse Mercantile, I found a fabulous solution for outdoor dining... Sili Glasses...Pint, Stemless Wine and Rocks! What makes them “Sili”? Why these are not your average plastic picnic glasses. You can squeeze and tumble them without cracking! They have a weighted bottom to keep them from tumbling over and the material is non-slip so your drink stays put! You’re going to love these!!! Now, this shop seems to be my fav for finding unique Saratoga Art pieces…like this Kim Perry Jockey Barrel Stave crafted from authentic wine barrels! Being a Kentucky native, Kim’s art reflects her love for Kentucky’s rich culture specializing in themes of bourbon, florals, and equine subjects. It’s a one-of-a-kind find…be sure to head over to Dark Horse for this work of art and others available by Kim Perry as well!

Silverwood Home & Gallery

398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
SilverwoodGalleries.com | 518-583-3600

A few shops down, I’d recommend popping into Silverwood Home & Gallery where you’ll find the very special Triple Crown Glass Set perfect for entertaining…especially after a BIG win on track day! And to make the fanfare even more special, greet your guest with their beverage and a delicately Embroidered Hand Towel, capturing the win of the day! You never know when that trifecta will hit…so be ready! And as the sun sets, be ready for the cool evenings with this new Cashmere Topper with beautiful patterns for any summer gathering. It’s great for those convertible rides home after a sip with friends at the lake as well!

Accents at Allerdice

2570 U.S. 9, Malta
Allerdice.com | 518-899-6222

Over in Malta at the Ace Hardware you’ll find Accents at Allerdice…a must stop shop for unique items and special finds such as these Faux Leather Horseshoe Coasters & Stand. I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge coaster fanatic and love to have sets for each season and holiday! These are perfect for your Summer gathering with friends celebrating your big wins of the day without worry of icy summer drinks on your favorite side table. And for a bit of nostalgia, pick up a collection of these Cast Iron Mini Race Horse & Jockeys to add a colorful pop of fun to a shelf or atop a dresser! Three different sizes and silk colors lead the charge in curating a sweet but simple nod to our heritage of horse racing! And this sweet Polka Dotted Yellow Ceramic Boot is adorable as a child’s toothbrush holder, a flower vase or even a pen cup to remind you its Summer…even as you work at your desk!

How I love this part of my career as an interior designer! Roaming the local shops to find unique items to share with all my readers! I often get so busy working on large residential projects that these moments to stop and visit our local stores is so refreshing! And it’s a great opportunity for me to update my own home as well! I love shopping local and decorating my home with pieces that we will cherish, items to create conversation, and trinkets to pass along to loved ones in memory of a visit to our area! I hope each and everyone of you enjoy this glorious summer season, win a few big races at the track and laugh with family and friends constantly!

Cheers to a spectacular Summer Season!

National Award Winning Designs

Contributing Interior Design Editor, Saratoga Publishing

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 @cmcdesignstudiollc

“Creating Environments for Life”TM