Etsy Designers at Home: Interview with Sue Teso of Solstice Home
One incredible vintage home accessory, or piece of furniture, can transform a room from run-of-the-mill to amazing. Unfortunately, finding that one perfect accessory might take years. Sure, the chase is part of the thrill, but sometimes, it pays to have help.
That's why, when we came across Sue Teso's Etsy shop full of vintage finds, Solstice Home, it was love at first sight. Sue's collection is carefully edited and positively fantastic. Plus, she's willing to help the home scavenger in need - if you've got something in mind, she'll keep an eye out for it herself. That's the kind of friend we all need!
Once we saw Sue's shop, we were even more excited to have the opportunity to peek inside her Cape Cod homes - both her current home and the one she lived in until recently. Her style mixes Scandinavian lines and muted colors with vintage pieces for a result that's both personal and comfortable.
Sue and her daughter, ethanollie are fantastic photographers and have generously shared their photos of the Teso home with Houzz readers. Plus, Sue has some great advice, gathered through the course of several home renovations and lots of years of finding great vintage pieces.
Tell us a little about yourself
A self proclaimed digger. You will most often find me digging through thrift stores, digging in the garden, digging anywhere with my grandson and digging my feet in the sands of Cape Cod.
With passions of architecture, design and decorating... I'm one lucky woman who loves her work & is delighted to share her passions.
Please tell us about your "first meeting" with your house.
Before I tell you about the first meeting with my current home, I have to tell you about the one I left behind. Seven years ago, my husband and I realized a lifelong dream to live and work on Cape Cod. I found the property during a casual Internet search...you know, the daydream type.
When I walked into that house, I immediately fell in love. But the question my husband and everyone else asked was "why?". It was totally unfinished having been left in the middle of a remodel. There was insulation sticking out of unfinished walls, mostly plywood floors, and an old kitchen. But all I could see was the charm, the light that flooded it, and what it could become. It also had a small quaint out-building on the property...I could finally open my little shop. Yes, that sealed the deal!
It took us five years to "finish." (Well almost. A home is never truly finished, is it?)
We then found we wanted to move in order to be closer to family. The house sold in three days! We needed a new home, and fast.
We settled on Sandwich, a quaint coastal New England town still on Cape Cod, which we both loved. It took us seven months to find our home, and again, location won out. It was within walking distance to the village, with it's little shops, library, pond... and, just one mile to the beach.
When I saw this house, I felt like I had come full circle. Having grown up in a 1960's ranch, I now owned a 1970's ranch. I knew it would need some love to bring out it's many mid century features. One year later, I am still updating, and falling, for it.
What is the first step of your decorating process?
First, I try very hard to look at the room empty. I pay attention to it's features, the light it gets, and the way it will be used.
Next, I bring in a piece of furniture, or a few, that I MUST have in it. The rest, such as color, smaller pieces, and accessories comes much more easily to me if I start with the basics first.
What is the biggest decorating challenge you've faced?
By far, the biggest challenge I've faced is having my furniture and my most loved possessions work in different spaces. The style of each of my homes has been so different from one to the next.
I, like many of us, do not have an unlimited budget, especially after purchasing a home. To totally re-furnish it in a way that complements the new house, is a bit out of the question, so I'm forced to make the best with what I have.
Describe your favorite style and colors.
My favorite style is a mix of casual, comfortable, coastal, Scandinavian with a little vintage and mid century mixed in. I'd say it is definitely eclectic. I love the patina of worn wood and old books. I'm always bringing in natural elements such as driftwood and stones found on the beach.
My favorite color is white. It calms me and and works well with my mixture of styles. Running a close second are the muted shades of the sea...blues, greens and greys. When I need a pop of color, it's orange I turn to.
What's the one spot in your house that makes you most happy or proud?
Right now it has to be the sun room right off the kitchen. It's the room everyone heads straight to. We finished renovating it into a comfortable year round room. It floods with light anytime of year and at night you feel just as if you are outdoors, without the cold or bugs. I placed a small vintage table in the corner and now it's the place I work from most often.
What's your most precious accessory, piece of furniture or work of art?
I really don't have just one piece I would choose. In case of fire, these are the things I would grab first, along with the little notes and mementos my grandson, has now made for me.
I have three pieces of original art made especially for me, all from my very talented family, who constantly inspire me and are now following their own dreams. A collage from ethanollie of Trampoline, a small graphic on canvas from Ms. Teso, and an original work from nymphobraniac.
What's your next home project?
There are so many. But I have three must-do's on my list. First, finishing the kitchen, which is slowly getting there. Second, and a tough one, carving out a small guest bedroom using only the existing footprint of the house. And last, creating a workroom/studio from a section of the garage. While I love being able to have my finds for the shop in the house, I don't like clutter, and it can take over our living space so easily.
What are the 5 things that Houzz readers need to know about your Etsy store?
I'd like Houzz readers to know:
1. I truly enjoy having my shop and it's very much a part of me.
2. My finds are ones I would have in my own home. In fact, I often get too attached to them, and it becomes very hard to give them up.
3. I love the connection I make with my wonderful customers and I love knowing I found a piece that makes them happy. One of the best comments I have ever received... "My home is now more mine... and a little bit yours too. I'll be back very soon!!"
4. Because I am constantly out and about searching, I am available to help you find an item you are looking for. All it takes is a convo to me.
5. One last little secret... Many of my customers follow me on twitter, flickr, and my blog. I typically post weekly finds there before they are listed in the shop. If they see something they must have, they often send me an email and inquire about purchasing it. Sneaky, aren't they?
What is your best tip for the decorating beginner?
Take your time. Each home, each room, is unique with it's own features and quirks. Emphasize the ones you like and work around the ones that drive you mad. Open yourself up to new ideas and new ways of using a space or a piece. You may just be surprised, you and your home are now delighted, and you have the home that you envisioned.
Thank you so much, Sue, for sharing your beautiful homes, your shop, your advice, and your story with the Houzz community!
That's why, when we came across Sue Teso's Etsy shop full of vintage finds, Solstice Home, it was love at first sight. Sue's collection is carefully edited and positively fantastic. Plus, she's willing to help the home scavenger in need - if you've got something in mind, she'll keep an eye out for it herself. That's the kind of friend we all need!
Once we saw Sue's shop, we were even more excited to have the opportunity to peek inside her Cape Cod homes - both her current home and the one she lived in until recently. Her style mixes Scandinavian lines and muted colors with vintage pieces for a result that's both personal and comfortable.
Sue and her daughter, ethanollie are fantastic photographers and have generously shared their photos of the Teso home with Houzz readers. Plus, Sue has some great advice, gathered through the course of several home renovations and lots of years of finding great vintage pieces.
Tell us a little about yourself
A self proclaimed digger. You will most often find me digging through thrift stores, digging in the garden, digging anywhere with my grandson and digging my feet in the sands of Cape Cod.
With passions of architecture, design and decorating... I'm one lucky woman who loves her work & is delighted to share her passions.
Please tell us about your "first meeting" with your house.
Before I tell you about the first meeting with my current home, I have to tell you about the one I left behind. Seven years ago, my husband and I realized a lifelong dream to live and work on Cape Cod. I found the property during a casual Internet search...you know, the daydream type.
When I walked into that house, I immediately fell in love. But the question my husband and everyone else asked was "why?". It was totally unfinished having been left in the middle of a remodel. There was insulation sticking out of unfinished walls, mostly plywood floors, and an old kitchen. But all I could see was the charm, the light that flooded it, and what it could become. It also had a small quaint out-building on the property...I could finally open my little shop. Yes, that sealed the deal!
It took us five years to "finish." (Well almost. A home is never truly finished, is it?)
We then found we wanted to move in order to be closer to family. The house sold in three days! We needed a new home, and fast.
We settled on Sandwich, a quaint coastal New England town still on Cape Cod, which we both loved. It took us seven months to find our home, and again, location won out. It was within walking distance to the village, with it's little shops, library, pond... and, just one mile to the beach.
When I saw this house, I felt like I had come full circle. Having grown up in a 1960's ranch, I now owned a 1970's ranch. I knew it would need some love to bring out it's many mid century features. One year later, I am still updating, and falling, for it.
What is the first step of your decorating process?
First, I try very hard to look at the room empty. I pay attention to it's features, the light it gets, and the way it will be used.
Next, I bring in a piece of furniture, or a few, that I MUST have in it. The rest, such as color, smaller pieces, and accessories comes much more easily to me if I start with the basics first.
What is the biggest decorating challenge you've faced?
By far, the biggest challenge I've faced is having my furniture and my most loved possessions work in different spaces. The style of each of my homes has been so different from one to the next.
I, like many of us, do not have an unlimited budget, especially after purchasing a home. To totally re-furnish it in a way that complements the new house, is a bit out of the question, so I'm forced to make the best with what I have.
Describe your favorite style and colors.
My favorite style is a mix of casual, comfortable, coastal, Scandinavian with a little vintage and mid century mixed in. I'd say it is definitely eclectic. I love the patina of worn wood and old books. I'm always bringing in natural elements such as driftwood and stones found on the beach.
My favorite color is white. It calms me and and works well with my mixture of styles. Running a close second are the muted shades of the sea...blues, greens and greys. When I need a pop of color, it's orange I turn to.
What's the one spot in your house that makes you most happy or proud?
Right now it has to be the sun room right off the kitchen. It's the room everyone heads straight to. We finished renovating it into a comfortable year round room. It floods with light anytime of year and at night you feel just as if you are outdoors, without the cold or bugs. I placed a small vintage table in the corner and now it's the place I work from most often.
What's your most precious accessory, piece of furniture or work of art?
I really don't have just one piece I would choose. In case of fire, these are the things I would grab first, along with the little notes and mementos my grandson, has now made for me.
I have three pieces of original art made especially for me, all from my very talented family, who constantly inspire me and are now following their own dreams. A collage from ethanollie of Trampoline, a small graphic on canvas from Ms. Teso, and an original work from nymphobraniac.
What's your next home project?
There are so many. But I have three must-do's on my list. First, finishing the kitchen, which is slowly getting there. Second, and a tough one, carving out a small guest bedroom using only the existing footprint of the house. And last, creating a workroom/studio from a section of the garage. While I love being able to have my finds for the shop in the house, I don't like clutter, and it can take over our living space so easily.
What are the 5 things that Houzz readers need to know about your Etsy store?
I'd like Houzz readers to know:
1. I truly enjoy having my shop and it's very much a part of me.
2. My finds are ones I would have in my own home. In fact, I often get too attached to them, and it becomes very hard to give them up.
3. I love the connection I make with my wonderful customers and I love knowing I found a piece that makes them happy. One of the best comments I have ever received... "My home is now more mine... and a little bit yours too. I'll be back very soon!!"
4. Because I am constantly out and about searching, I am available to help you find an item you are looking for. All it takes is a convo to me.
5. One last little secret... Many of my customers follow me on twitter, flickr, and my blog. I typically post weekly finds there before they are listed in the shop. If they see something they must have, they often send me an email and inquire about purchasing it. Sneaky, aren't they?
What is your best tip for the decorating beginner?
Take your time. Each home, each room, is unique with it's own features and quirks. Emphasize the ones you like and work around the ones that drive you mad. Open yourself up to new ideas and new ways of using a space or a piece. You may just be surprised, you and your home are now delighted, and you have the home that you envisioned.
Thank you so much, Sue, for sharing your beautiful homes, your shop, your advice, and your story with the Houzz community!
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Sue Teso's home in Sandwich
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home
Sandwich Home (taken by ethanollie)
Brewster Home
Brewster Home
Brewster Home
Brewster Home
Brewster Home
Brewster Home
Brewster Home