ROCK YOUR RENTAL — DESIGN and MARKETING TIPS TO BOOST YOUR BOOKINGS by JOANNE PALMISANO and ROSANNE PALMISANO
Read MoreBEYOND THRILLED! FOUR AWARDS FOR CLIENTS
2019 was a big year for many of my interior design clients for awards! I’m so happy when a client calls to tell me their place has won an award. I have to say… it ‘s a BIG THRILL to be a part of it!
BEST HOTEL VERMONT: MAIN and MOUNTAIN
FULL RENOVATION OF MOTEL — TURNED OLD TINY LOBBY INTO A BAR AND UPDATED ALL ROOMS AND FRONT AREA FOR AN OUTSIDE PATIO. Design by Joanne Palmisano Photo by Lindsay Selin
Main and Mountain Barn and Motel Renovation Project. Photo by Lindsay Selin
Main and Mountain Bar and Motel
Best of New England | 2019 Editors’ Choice Awards
Our 2019 editors’ picks for the best dining, lodging, and things to do in New England. Vermont’s pick…
NEW HOTEL
Main & Mountain, Ludlow
Old-school accommodations take on a polished sheen at Ludlow’s hip boutique motel. Wood-slab headboards lend rustic charm to standard queen rooms, while family accommodations include bunk beds for kiddos and suites that sleep up to seven. There’s no restaurant, but food trucks frequent the patio year-round, and weekend patio parties put a cool spin on the campfire jams of yore, with live music and seating around a masonry fire pit. 802-242-1608
COUPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: BEAR MOUNTAIN INN
TOTAL REFRESH OF BEAR MOUNTAIN INN, MAINE. Interior Design by Joanne Palmisano. Photo by Molly & Victoria Co.
Photo by Molly & Victoria Co.
Wedding Wire’s Couple Choice Award
BEST OF THE BEST VERMONT: PRIVATE RESIDENCE
TOTAL RENOVATION OF BARN CAMP INTO VACATION HOME. Interior Design by Joanne Palmisano. Photo by Lindsay Selin
Photo by Lindsay Selin
NEW BUILD OF TAPROOM AND RETAIL STORE FOR LAWSON’S FINEST LIQUIDS. Interior Design by Joanne Palmisano. Photo by Lawson’s Finest, Alana Cushman
Photo by Lawson’s Finest, Alana Cushman
Interior Designer, Joanne Palmisano. Photo by Lawson’s Finest, Alana Cushman
CHEERS to ALL WHO MADE THESE AWARDS A REALITY!
XOXO JOANNE
PIZZA and BEER, DESIGN WORK!
Recently, I did a BLOG about the amazing LAWSON’S FINEST LIQUIDS new TAPROOM, RETAIL STORE and BREWERY, but I can’t help that another project completed around the same time was a PIZZA restaurant. I know…you think I have a theme going… and that may be true…considering I’ve done a PUB, another BAR, a BURGER JOINT, an ICE CREAM shop…and a few other similar types of places…but I swear I didn’t plan any of it — it just happened! :) I’m just lucky I guess.
I’d love to introduce you to PIZZA 44. If you haven’t already been there — I highly recommend you go. Not for the design…of course, I would appreciate it if you enjoyed that as well — but for the amazing pizza and food. Steve (the chef and manager) and his team really rock it out of the park.
When Tim Williams and Doug Neede (BFF’s for 44 year— hence the name) decided to open up a counter service wood fired pizza restaurant they contacted me right away. Basically Tim called and said — “Hey — want to do a Pizza Restaurant?” and I said “Hey — Ya!”. (Tim and I had already worked on two places together — he is the owner of Archie’s Grill and The Scoop).
They had the perfect spot already — the empty warehouse space that was in the same building as Queen City Brewery. Working with Paul of Queen City Brewery, on Pine Street, and the owners of the building, we can up with a layout and concept for the space. They brought in a PIZZA whisperer from Seattle to help layout the kitchen equipment, wood fired oven, etc — and the rest of the space was up to me. With some original concepts, we all worked together, to tweak, enhance and recreate the design it is today.
Those who know me…I’m a hands on designer — so the white striped tables (I painted with my niece), the word search (created over 3 weeks in my sun room), the pizza peels (some vintage, some made from old wood, I banged up in my front yard) and a few other hands-on touches around the space. With the help of local folks to build, install and custom create seating and tables, it all came together. I hope you enjoy the space — but better yet — the food and the company you keep!
I’m not going to lie…I had an absolute blast working with Tim and Doug on this project — and I’m scheming up other ideas of places we can create to work together again.
XOXO Joanne
HUGE THANK YOU TO LINDSAY SELIN for the MOST AMAZING PICTURES!!
P.S. I’m about to LAUNCH a HUGE GIVE AWAY FEST on MY INSTRAGRAM ACCOUNT. I’m going to be giving away a night away at Main and Mountain Bar and Motel , some copies of MY BOOKS, and thanks to a brilliant idea from my friend and marketing helper, Jen Wyman at Accomplice Marketing, I’m going to be giving away some of my amazing homemade DIY’s. So follow me so you don’t miss out on a chance to WIN!
Warm woods, natural touches, live plants, vintage pieces, custom seating, modern lighting, paneled walls… a perfect rustic modern blend for this counter service wood fired pizza space, called Pizza 44!
Want to watch your pizza being made, then belly up to the bar…and choose these cozy seats to watch the show.
The interior design started with creating comfortable custom booth seating, a community table, cozy couch areas and bar seating to watch the pizza making, ensuring every square inch was accounted for, and the flow of the space was comfortable and welcoming. Instead of trying to cover up the old warehouse details, they were incorporated into the design. A pipe painted black with wood tucked into it, and couple more vintage brick columns were added to highlight the ones that were already there. Old concrete walls were paneled in modern stained square plywood pieces. Unique lighting, vintage pizza peels and other special touches, such as hand painted striped booth tables, have made this counter service restaurant an instant hit.
Community tables, bar seats, couches, and booths…there is a little something for everyone here.
Keep yourself occupied while you wait for your TO GO pizza — or if the kids are getting restless in their seats.
Cheers!
10 EASY Colorful Kid Friendly DIY's Just in Time for Valentine's Day
Yes… I mostly design large scale hospitality projects, like restaurants, motels, inns, vacation rentals and bar projects… BUT I also like to do smaller (instant gratification) DIY crafts as well. :) It‘s fun, easy and relaxing for me. This weekend, sit down with the kids (or your gal pals) and make some easy crafts — that would make for some AMAZING VALENTINE presents. Hint…Hint…
Most of these DIY CRAFTS you can make from stuff you’ll find around the house — even better! A few of these projects I made for DIY NETWORK…so you can link through. Others… I just made because I’m addicted to making things…
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
LOVE CRAFTS. LOVE DIY. LOVE HANDMADE.
But mostly, LOVE the TIME YOU SPEND TOGETHER MAKING SOMETHING.
XOXO Joanne
Hanging Fabric and Ribbon Bohemian Stars. Cardboard, Scissors, Scraps of Ribbon and Fabrics. You can make lots of shapes…Hearts, Crescent Moons, Fish… HOW TO DIY NETWORK
Memory box made from a cardboard perfume or chocolate box. Add shells, costume jewelry, whatever makes you happy in how you want to decorate your memory box. Don’t forget the LOVE NOTE that goes inside before you give it as a gift.
An old tire rim, some ribbons, Grandma’s dollies, and some yarn and you can hang these beauties above any bed.
Hardware store magnets, hot glue gun, some fabric, old earrings and maybe a rock or two and you have instant refrig dramatic presence.
Mix a second hand store lamp with some colorful pom poms— and voilia! Instant happy lamp for the kids room!
Keep those color pencils upright — with a slice of a log, and a few holes. A drill and a wide drill bit…perfect time to teach the kids how to use power tools :) DIY NETWORK
Don’t throw away that moth eaten sweater. Create plant cozies… Hand stitch on some hearts or words and these make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. HOW TO HERE
Simple! Left over yarn and a glue gun and a really cool stick or two. Do a little at a time and take these times for catching up. DIY from my second book, Salvage Secrets Design and Decor
Rainy day fun! Simply cover a piece of cardboard with fabric, paint some clothes line clips and add your favorite pictures — hang anywhere. HOW TO HERE: DIY NETWORK
The Hearts Have It. Making crafts makes me my heart happy and when I can bring in my friends or family to join me — it grows three sizes :) This driftwood heart — is so easy to make — a piece of stiff cardboard with pieces of driftwood hot glued to it.
Have fun collecting, making and displaying.
Sign up for my newsletter to see what’s happening and get more DIY ideas. THANKS! Joanne
From picking stone, to creating designs for custom furniture pieces made by Warren Pieces, to fabric swatches for chairs…every detail was thought of so guests would have a comfortable, inviting and intimate Vermont experience, while enjoying a delicious craft beer.
All Photos Credit: Lawson’s Finest Liquids.
Lawson's Finest Taproom and Retail Space, Another Great Interior Design Project Completed
I find myself still in awe of this amazing project and the owners of Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Karen and Sean Lawson. It was hands-on from start to finish and I enjoyed every moment of it. The architect, Austin Designs, created this incredible timber frame design, that Mad River Post and Beam built, that I planned the interior design from… the layout of the bar, bathrooms, seating and retail store. Working hand and hand with Karen and Sean, Austin Design and Ruggco Builders, together we created a warm and inviting welcoming environment for guests to enjoy their craft beers.
Everything from paint colors, to types of wainscoting, to finishes, fixtures, seating, custom lighting and more…there were hundreds decisions to make. Being able to incorporate numerous local sources and artisans was extra special. Warren Pieces for the custom wood furniture and bar, Conant Metal and Light for the two custom light fixtures, Simon Pearce for the hand blown glass (which Karen and Sean got to blow themselves), Erin Bundock for the commissioned artwork piece, Sparky Potter Design Group for all the signage and painted sun on the retail doors, Vermont Verde for the incredible slab stone pieces, Vermont Slate for the retail store and entrance flooring, along the bar wall and railing and Select Design for the branding pieces. There were many more local companies we worked with and we appreciated their skill and talent.
Karen and Sean started Lawson’s Finest Liquids in 2008, and Sean has been brewing for over 25 years which he began in college at UVM! Their beers are highly rated in the national craft beer scene. They are best known for their luplin-laden India Pale-Ale, Sip of Sunshine.
THIS IS AWSOME… No tip policy - Lawson’s Finest Liquids has chosen to pay their staff generous living wages with full benefits. There is no tip obligation when guests come to the taproom. However, if guests choose to leave a gratuity, 100% will be donated to local charitable endeavors. Since they have opened their charitable program has donated to Mad River Valley Food Shelf, Mad River Valley Community Fund, Mad River Valley Seniors/Meals on Wheels, Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, Green Mountain Club and the current organization is the Washington County Mental Health Services. To finish out the month of January all proceeds will go to VT Adaptive Ski and Sports. Since October 2018, the Lawson’s Finest guest charitable program has donated over $84,000! Kudos to you guys!
So happy that Karen and Sean were not only a joy to work with, but very open to my creative ideas — including the light fixtures and sunshine retail counter!
Creating unique seating spaces throughout the taproom was a little challenging, because not only did I have to think about maximum capacity, but flow for seating and ordering (for a very busy space) and having seating for groups and individuals alike. Between the bar seats, the chairs by the fireplace (near the kid’s play area), the 4 top tables by the windows, and the higher two-tops by the bar and the beer hall picnic tables and the bar rails…I’m hoping we have it covered.
The Contant Metal and Light and Simon Pierce Glass custom light fixture is one of the WOW factors in the space.
Cheers Folks! To another fun project completed. Now time for that beer!
All Photos by the Talented Alana Cushman, Marketing Coordinator at Lawson’s Finest Liquids.