What's Your Fancy: Emma Hearst's Farm-Chic Essentials
The owner of Farm Shoppe dishes on how to cultivate a perfect bucolic lifestyle.
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Hudson, New York, the charming town that the great American Painter Thomas Cole considered his muse, has long been a refuge for New Yorkers who are ready for a slower pace of life. Emma Hearst, the co-founder and CEO of the Farm Shoppe, is one of them. Before moving to the town in 2023, Hearst was living a high-paced lifestyle in Manhattan.
"I opened my restaurants in the Lower East Side of New York City at the very young age of 21," she tells T&C. "By the time I was in my late 20s, the fast pace and pressure caught up to me and I knew I didn't have a sustainable path forward for myself. I had accomplished what I had set out to in New York City and knew it was time to say goodbye to it in the way I had known it for so many years." Still, she feels that there are still remnants of Gotham in Hudson, saying that the amount of people from New York City makes it "almost feel like a mini borough!"
Her love for all things culinary has never waned. In fact, moving to Hudson has given it a second life. The Farm Shoppe is an extension of the nearby Forts Ferry Farm, where seasonal produce and florals are grown. The Farm Shoppe carries these items, as well as a curated selection of whimsical antique table attire, kitchen tools, and other trinkets that can be used as gifts.
It'd be difficult to miss the shop if you find yourself on Warren Street. Its exterior is lime-tone Benjamin Moore Branchbrook green, while the interiors are painted in a softer-toned Ben Moore Enchanted Meadow. According to Hearst, she wanted the exterior to have "a French Riviera contrast to [their' their cobalt blue branding and really pop with class on the street." Mission accomplished.
Below, Hearst shares essentials for a perfectly bucolic Hudson lifestyle.
"We have two flavors and another one on the way! They are addictively good and filled with high-quality ingredients. I love to enjoy them as much on yogurt in the morning as I do ice cream at night!"
"I am a sensory nut so I always like to set the scent of the room along with the look. I have multiple essential oil diffusers throughout my house and my Farm Shoppe. They really can change how the room feels and set a tone or freshen up a space for relaxation. Young Living is the only brand I buy because of its insanely high quality. Their dew drop diffuser is my favorite because of its compactness and simplicity. My favorite oils are their Valor, R.C. Blend, and pure nutmeg."
"A diehard favorite of mine that is always in my refrigerator (and that my son tries to drink by the gallon) is Laurel & Ash Farm Maple Syrup. We have been carrying them since day one of our retail operations in the past and their bottles are featured prominently in our Farm Shoppe. They are the sweetest people who make the most decadent Hudson Valley maple syrup, all wood-fired, and also happen to have a keen eye for beautiful branding."
"Our newest product to hit the shelves is our Pepper Plant Rub which we make from the pulp that we strain out of our hot sauces. It is the absolute best rub for ribs, chicken, and vegetables. It's even great sprinkled on plain potato chips or popcorn!"
"My entire living unit and not-for-sale display decor items have been completely furnished by glorious antique stores on the streets of Hudson. Stores such as Ida's Eye/The Shop, Sutter Antiques, Arenskjold Antiques, Colonia Antiques, Stair Galleries, and more! Many of them can be found on Charish and 1stDibs by searching Hudson locations on those sites."
"The item I am most proud of is my new book Flavors From the Farm. It has over 100 vegetable-forward, simple recipes meant for sharing and having fun! It is the perfect companion for a farmers market haul and year-round family-style cooking. It is available on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Anthropologie, our website, and more!"
"Beyond my collection of many antique items I use in the kitchen for table attire, I invested in a beautiful new set of plates and bowls from Heath Ceramics when we moved into our residence. They are so beautifully made, feel great in the hand, and sit so pretty with all of my intricate vintage items! Their ceramics are heavy duty and wash very well in the dishwasher, while also allowing the food that sits upon them to sing!"
Style News Editor at Town and Country covering society, style, art, and design.
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