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Merwin Farm and Home delivers on charm

MILLERTON — Residents looking to bring a little extra charm into their homes can visit Merwin Farm and Home to browse a selection of new, antique and locally-made items and take part in one of many Do It Yourself (DIY) workshops.

Born and raised in Millerton, Merwin Farm and Home owner Charlotte Merwin wanted to create something local residents could enjoy and afford.

With her children back in school, she decided that it was time for her to set up her own shop, starting in her home last September before moving to 1 John Street mid-November.

Merwin said she tries to incorporate what she loves in life into her store, including gardening, redoing furniture and farmhouse-style items. From scarves and jewelry to gardening materials, soaps and furniture, she takes pride in handpicking new, antique and locally-made items.

“I really feel like it’s a shop that everybody can enjoy,” Merwin said.

However, the heart of Merwin Farm and Home can be found in the DIY workshops where residents can create beautiful items to bring home, such as signs, centerpieces, wreaths and more. Merwin usually hosts between two and three workshops a month. If there’s a holiday on the horizon, she tends to focus her workshop on crafting something to fit the season. In between the seasons, she typically focuses on creating generic pieces that people can use throughout the year. Whenever she schedules a workshop, Merwin likes to have an example of the finished piece available in her store so that workshop participants can get an idea of what they’re about to create.

“I really put a lot of thought and detail into everything I do for the workshops,” Merwin said. “I like to do something I can do as a gift … there’s always a multipurpose. I would pick anything that I would want in my own home.”

Priced between $45 and $65 per workshop, all participants start with the same materials, but finish with a different piece every time. As they set to work on the featured craft, participants have the opportunity to make new friends and create something beautiful in a relaxing environment.

Advertising though her Facebook page and Instagram account, Merwin has welcomed customers from as near as Millerton and as far as Manhattan and Albany. On Monday, April 1, she relocated to 64 South Center Street in Millerton (formerly occupied by The Millerton Scoop) where she hopes to bring in more foot traffic.

Merwin said she hopes to cement her spot in the village and get comfortable as a local business owner. Along with featuring more local artists in her store, she said, “I want to continue to do my workshops … It’s a nice way for people to meet each other.”

Merwin Farm and Home is currently open on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

For more information, call 518-592-1717 or email merwinfarmandhome@gmail.com.

Lakeville Journal

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