Saying Goodbye

When I started the Martha Moments blog five years ago I had no grand scheme propelling my weekly (often nightly) posts; there was no singular aim, no true 'destination' in mind. I simply wanted to blog about Martha Stewart's offerings to the world: her magazines, her television shows, her books, her houses, her vision of what a good life was all about. So inspired was I by her company and its numerous media that I was compelled to document it, archive it and share this passion with others. It was always a labour of love.

I certainly had no idea it would eventually lead to meeting her on two separate occasions, including filming a segment of her TV show with her in New York!

My first exposure to Martha Stewart Living magazine was in 1995. I was a senior in high school, focusing on my art education. Amid a sea of old magazines that our class used for inspiration there was a clean, bold cover that immediately took my attention: a laughing blond woman holding up a vintage dress at a flea market under a title that seemed to say it all: Living. (September, 1993 issue.)

I pored over that magazine with an interest I had not felt before. The content was warm and comforting, conjuring memories I had of growing up, of excursions to antique markets with my mother, of drawing landscaping plans with my dad at our old kitchen table, of sampling my grandmother’s cooking and of taking pride in the little things our family accomplished around the house each day, each week, each holiday. This was a celebration of living life to the fullest at its most essential apex: the home. More than this, I was learning things and expanding on those memories with a new sense of knowledge and insight, broadening my understanding of home maintenance and deepening my appreciation of creating beauty at home, understanding why it was important and moving forward in my own life with a desire to impart this knowledge to others.

The first issue I purchased myself was in 1999 while I was in college, a wonderful issue with Martha on the cover surrounded by a bevy of felines. It had been four years since I had seen that 1993 issue in art class but through television I had gotten to know “Martha Stewart” quite well, and the interest and appreciation had deepened. I vowed to get every issue from that point on and I kept that promise. (I also purchased a backlog of issues on eBay, expanding my collection to encompass every issue from 1996 onward.)

“Why?” I am so often asked. “Why does a young man from Canada have such an interest in Martha Stewart Living?” The answer is not at all complicated. I am an artistic soul with a natural reverence for home, architecture and domestic tradition. I am curious and I am always eager to learn. I am visual. I am creative. And I love life. No other magazine celebrates life in such a remarkable way, with such a beautiful presentation of ideas and information. The Martha Moments blog emerged as a result of my desire to celebrate this brand I came to adore, and to join with other readers of the magazine, viewers of the television shows, listeners of the radio programs and users of the products.

But the time has come now for me to put Martha Moments on hold - at least temporarily. The reasons behind this decision rest somewhere between the personal and professional spheres of my life. I just feel it's time to say goodbye.


If you'd like to keep up with me, I will still be maintaining my personal blog (called simply Andrew's Blog) and actually hope to be able to devote more time to developing it, posting about my many other interests (Martha-related topics will show up there too, no doubt!) and sharing a more personal perspective on design, food, books, film, fashion, art, life and love.


For those of you who MUST have a Martha fix, I strongly urge you to read the blog of my dear friend Kenn ( House Blend ) and, of course, Martha's personal blog. Please use this blog as a resource and archive. It would be a great honour to me to know that many of you will still continue to use it and visit some of the older links. (If you want to read more about me and Martha Moments, click here.)


I worked very hard on Martha Moments (the design and the content) to make sure it was of interest to her fans: if I was interested in it, surely others would be too! I would hate to see it all go to waste, so it's here if you need it - all kinds of information about her products, her homes, her business, her TV show, her magazines (here and abroad) and so much more. Please explore the links to the side. Perhaps one day I'll return to Martha Moments. The unfolding of time and life will determine that. One thing is sure: I will continue to subscribe to Martha Stewart Living magazine, to buy her books and continue to learn from such an amazing teacher.


Lastly, I would simply like to thank every single person who has ever found Martha Moments to be of interest, anyone who has found it inspiring or informative or entertaining. And I thank my 'core readers' (you know who you are!) for always, always keeping me inspired in turn! You were truly the wind in my sails! Please do stay in touch with me. With love and so many thanks for five years of beauty, joy and a myriad of Martha Moments, I bid you adieu.


Yours so sincerely, Andrew Ritchie

And I Shall Have Some Peace There

Former Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Living Margaret Roach launches her new book today! It is called "And I Shall Have Some Peace There" - a 'drop-out memoir' about trading in the fast lane for her own dirt road.

When I toured Margaret Roach's garden in the fall of 2005, peace is the feeling that immediately came over me. Her tranquil acreage in the Catskills near Copake Falls, New York, has been Margaret's labour of love for decades and the results of her work are breathtaking. So strong was the pull of this place that Margaret felt compelled to leave MSLO and a very successful career in publishing to return full-time to the garden she created so many years ago.

Please take a moment to view this 'trailer' for the book. You can order the book here. You can read the account of my visit to her garden here - one of this blog's first posts!

Martha's Easter at Grandin Road

Spring is one month away, and we have two more months before Easter Sunday arrives on April 24th, but the busy bees at Martha Stewart Living have already rolled out their Easter collection at Grandin Road. And quite a collection it is - a fairly extensive line of table accessories and decorations to help make Easter a little extra special. What I love about the line is the synergy behind so many of the product ideas: many of the decorations have been seen as DIY projects in the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine over the years. Below are some of my picks from the collection, which can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.
This pretty wire planter was influenced by a similar one that was featured on the cover of the April, 1998, issue of Martha Stewart Living. The designers revised it slightly, but it's still the same charming size and style, perfect as a centerpiece.To place inside the planter, Martha's designers came up with a charming option: hyacinth flowers blossoming from egg shells!

Here's another piece influenced by a DIY craft that took the cover of the April, 2007, issue of the magazine: a feather tree adorned with beautiful hanging egg ornaments. The ones on the cover are homemade, of course, but these lovely metallic eggs (below) would be just as beautiful, catching the daylight (or candle light) on an entry table or dining room sideboard. A flurry of butterflies in bold pinks, yellows and oranges herald the arrival of spring when they're amassed in a wreath formation. Below is a closeup of the design.

Skylands in Sotheby's

Skylands, Martha's home in Seal Harbor, Maine, has only been owned by three families in its 86-year history. Designed and built for Edsel Ford and his family in 1925, it was sold to Edward Leede and his family in the 1970s who put the home up for sale in the early 1990s. Martha purchased the home in 1997.

When a reader of my blog sent me a link to view some photographs from an edition of a Sotheby's international-realty catalog that featured Skylands when it was on the market shortly before Martha bought it, I couldn't resist sharing some of the images with you. They were first shown on a very informative blog about Maine architecture called The Downeast Dilittante, which features many interesting posts about local residential and commercial architecture, complete with meaningful anecdotes. (Please visit to see more photos and for more unique facts about the history of Maine!)

The photographs of Skylands in the catalog depict a home that was caught in something of a timewarp. Much of the furniture in the house is original, dating back decades. The Leedes also periodically used the same decorator the Fords used, a Palm Beach firm called Jessup Inc., to design the interiors. When Martha bought the home, the furniture was still there in all its old upholstery. Martha kept much of it, revamping, refreshing, reupholstering and redesigning it to suit the times and her own tastes. How wonderful it would be to have this catalog!

This aerial view of the terrace, used on the cover, demonstrates how expansive it is.

The Great Hall at Skylands: Outdated decorating can't hide the timeless architecture! Look at this space! I'm sure Martha saw the potential right away.

This is the formal living room (30 feet by 50 feet), as it appeared in the early 90s.

The dining room with its three-sided views.

A photo of the Playhouse, which features its own indoor squash court.

Martha's New Entertaining Book in November

The speculation about when Martha Stewart's new book on entertaining will be released is over! The large, hardcover companion piece to Martha's first book, Entertaining, has been mentioned numerous times by Martha over the last three years. At last, on November 1, we will be able to page through this book ourselves! Called Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations, the 432-page book is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com. Based on what Martha has shared with us on her blog and in various interviews over the years, we know that the book will feature parties and gatherings (large and small) at her homes in Bedford, Maine and Long Island. Many of the photographs in the book will be by Frederic Lagrange. It's going to be an amazing tome, one that must be added tothe collection of any Martha Stewart fan.

Also of interest: There is a series of new Martha Stewart 2012 calendars (wall calendars, engagement calendars and postcard calendars) that will be released in August. With photographic themes like cupcakes, cookies, crafts and gardens, these are ones for us collectors to watch for!

New From Martha Stewart Crafts: Linens!

Embellishing simple, elegant linens - table runners, napkins, tea towels, aprons - with an equally simple but iconic ebroidery design can elevate them to a new level of charm. New from Martha Stewart Crafts is a series of linen kits. Each kit comes with an assortment of plain white linens in cotton with pre-printed, wash-away ink designs and small embroidery sets that include the needle, presorted cotton thread for easy stitching, easy instructions and an alphabet for personalization. These not only make beautiful hostess gifts with that special touch of the hand, they are also a great teaching tool for someone interested in learning embroidery. Below are examples of some of the linens now available at Martha Stewart Crafts. can see the full line here.

This Cupcake Apron kit includes everything you need to create a fun and fashionable, hand-embroidered apron. One size fits all!
Personalize your kitchen with a set of beautiful hand-embroidered Cupcake Tea Towels. Kit includes two 17"x27" white tea towels.

Complete your table with this set of beautiful hand-embroidered Flower Design Napkins. Each kit contains four 20"x20" cotton napkins.
Accent your table with this beautiful hand-embroidered Flower Design Table Runner. Kit includes one 16"x72" polyester/cotton table runner.
Accent your bedroom by creating two easy-to-stitch hand embroidered Flower Design Pillowcases. Kit includes two 20"x30" polyester/cotton pillowcases.
Show your creativity with your own hand-embroidered Flower Design Canvas Tote bag. It coordinates beautifully with our accessory bag. Contents of kit include one 15.5"x13.5" cotton canvas tote bag. (The dimensions given do not include the straps.)

Show your creativity with this lovely hand-embroidered Floral Design Accessory Bag. It coordinates beautifully with the large tote.

Everyday Food for iPad

We knew it was only a matter of time before Everyday Food joined the group of Martha Stewart Living digital magazines for the iPad. (The magazine already has an application for the iPhone.) In the March issue (cover shown below) there are several ads for the new app, which will be available for download February 21 by clicking here. This issue, which I have propped here in my lap, is devoted to getting meals done fast, filled with wonderful new takes on pasta, quick-and-easy desserts (and slow-cooker brownies!) plus salads, side dishes and more.
The digital issue will include lots of bonus material, such as cooking videos from the food editors filled with insider advice and quick tips, step-by-step slide shows of recipes and how-tos and before-and-after shots of dishes and ingredient swaps that make the delicious recipes come to life. The App itself is free to download. Once installed, readers will automatically be able to download the January/February issue for free, and will also have the option of purchasing the March digital issue for $2.99.

More Monday Hearts for Madelene

Last year, I brought you the touching story of Page Hodel and her partner Madelene Rodriguez and the beautiful book about their love called "Monday Hearts for Madelene." Page, a talented photographer and musician, created and photographed these glorious heart-shaped images (using all manner of found pieces) for her best friend and lover, Madelene, every single Monday morning. You can see some examples of these lovely works of art below. When Madelene passed away of ovarian cancer just a year after the two women met, Page continued her love project, vowing never to stop creating a heart for her beloved each and every Monday. Please take some time to read about their story in last year's post and see more examples of Page's gorgeous work. Also, please visit Page's site for more information about Page's projects which help raise money for women's cancers.

Romantic Prairie Style

The memories I have of my first childhood home - the home I was born into and lived in until I was 6 years-old - are shockingly clear. I can remember the exact layout of rooms, the garish colours of the carpets: chocolate brown in the living/dining room and a deep rust tone upstairs, plus a white shag rug in the front parlour. I remember well the old woven-grass roll-down blinds on the windows and the tubular chrome dining room light fixture with giant glass bulbs. That was the '70s for you!

Each decade leading up to the present day seems to have had its trademark decorating style. In the 1980s there was a love affair with French Country: frills and faux-finishes, opulent draperies and too many pastels. In the 1990s there was a push towards neoclassicism. Today, the interior design of the homes of many of my friends (and my own home) seems to be guided by a new kind of modernism that embraces light and space with the very definite desire to collect, cherish and display vintage objects that have personal meaning and a whimsical charm to them; they may be inherited pieces, or they may be ''new-old'' flea-market finds, but they are objects we cannot seem to part with.

After asking around a bit, and doing a bit of research, it seems this style has been labeled "Romantic Prairie Style" by the cognoscenti. Its more grown-up counterpart is called "Modern Farmhouse." There are books about it, too, which are now on my ever-growing list of books to read. Below, I've compiled an assortment of book titles that deal with this particular form of interior decorating style and laid out some of the style's trademarks:

Decorate by Holly Becker (whose blog I follow regularly) is one book I'm really excited about. It's released this spring. Flea Market Style is a book I've had for a few years and it's always a great source for how to pair new with old. Simple Home by Mark and Sally Bailey is another one that espouses the Romantic-Prairie ideal.Etcetera by Sibella Court is a gorgeous resource on how to live with the things you love in a way that is timelessly stylish and charming, filled with glorious photographs. Romatic Prairie Style is the book of wisdom for anyone attempting to create this style at home. Below are more books the Romatic-Prairie student may want to peruse: Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers and Debi Treloar, Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey and Creative Walls by Geraldine James is especially good.

ELEMENTS OF ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE:

*Bright rooms painted in light neutrals

*An appreciation of natural finishes, such as wood flooring

*Walls and windows kept mostly unadorned with carefully-selected artwork for maximum impact

*An appreciation of collections with a need to display them creatively

*A love of fine vintage - (not random junk but also not heavy antiques)

*Sparsely furnished rooms with pieces that have meaning and impact

*Embracing of patina and timeworn texture but also of clean lines and modern colours

*Unafraid of mixing patterns in small doses

*A love of the handmade and handcrafted

Martha Talks Eldercare with Diane Sawyer

Martha Stewart recently took part in a round-table discussion about aging and caregiving for the elderly on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. In the coming decade, more than 70-million Americans will enter into retirement, creating what has been coined a "grey tsunami" - a tidal-wave of aging people that is expected to strain both the healthcare system and, in turn, the families who are caring for these aging relatives. Martha was joined by Virginia Morris, author of How to Care for Aging Parents, and noted geriatricians Neil Resnick and Marie Bernard. Martha, of course, is founder of the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, a center devoted to geriatric wellness that was founded in honour of her mother, Martha Kostyra, who passed away several years ago at the age of 93. You can watch the discussion by clicking here. It is divided into four parts.