Tell me about your business or specialty
The Crows Nest is the shop I own and operate in the village of Red Hook NY. I opened the doors three years ago after seeing a for rent sign on the space I currently occupy. I signed the lease in March and opened May 1. The inventory is inspired by the things I love and includes a wide variety of tabletop items such as glassware and pottery. I have a large collection of pottery at home, so identifying items that I like comes easily! I also carry rugs, jewelry, scarves, select clothing items, handmade candles, and personal care items.
What else can you share about it?
One of the joys of having a store is finding new inventory. I know many creative people and support their work at the shop. Over the years, through travel and my work in the design industry, I made mental notes of things I wanted to eventually sell in my future store. Trade shows are also a wonderful resource to find new resources.
At The Crows Nest, there is an emphasis and focus on women makers and vendors. I have always worked with and for women. I am one of three sisters. Women have always been my role models so it’s a natural progression that I want to support as many fellow women as possible in my sourcing. I also look for a commitment to social responsibility and sustainability in the companies with which I work. An important aspect of The Crows Nest is keeping prices as low as possible. Red Hook has a very diverse socioeconomic population and I feel it’s important to be accessible to as many people as possible.
How’d you get to where you are now?
I grew up in a brownstone in Brooklyn. As a teenager, we had a second house in Staatsburg and I always loved coming to the Hudson Valley. Both of my parents were interior design graduates of Pratt Institute and were among those that went to Albany to push for making Interior Design a licensed profession. Their love of design, detail, form and function has always been a wonderful influence on me. Combined with the fact that I’ve always wanted to have my own shop, their influence helped inspire and realize The Crows Nest.
My career has primarily focused on luxury interiors products, working with some of the greats: Holly Hunt and Stephanie Odegard. When Covid hit, and I turned fifty, I said to myself, it is time!
What surprises you in your work, now or in the past?
Working in retail, I am frequently surprised (and inspired!) by how incredibly thoughtful people are. People buy a lot of gifts at The Crows Nest and will take a lot of time considering various options to get just the right thing for the person for whom they are buying. I have also been surprised at how willing people are to open up about their lives in casual conversation. It makes for lovely, sincere connections within brief interactions.
Any other interests or pursuits?
Currently I am slightly obsessed with my sour dough starter. I love to bake and recently took a bread making class at the Culinary Institute of America. The result has been lots of experimentation and bread making at my house.
What drives you crazy?
Poor communication and unreliability.
Who inspires you?
So many people! It’s hard to name one. I think the common thread in the people who have inspired me the most is that they are courageous and are willing to believe in themselves enough to try new things, even if those things are scary.
Career highlight: as the manager of the Odegard Carpet showroom in the NY Design Center, I had the privilege of learning and growing and leading and being creative in an industry I loved. It was an ideal job at an ideal time in my life and set me up to continue my career with a better understanding of social responsibility in consumer products. Stephanie Odegard has always been committed to fair working conditions and was on the board of Good Weave. Good Weave is a wonderful organization that is committed to ending child labor. The hand knotted rugs we sold at Odegard were all certified to be free of child labor. It always made me proud to be able to say that. I also made friends that I continue to be in touch with today. They continue to inspire me with the businesses they have gone on to build - and who I now represent at The Crows Nest!
Words of wisdom
You are the only you. Recognize that the talent and knowledge you probably take for granted within yourself is not something everyone else has. It may come naturally to you but does not for other people. There is lots of value there!
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Raised in brownstone Brooklyn and born into a family of Interior Designers, Sarah Carlson began her creative journey at the very beginning. Throughout a childhood that emphasized a deep appreciation for design and a refined sensibility, Sarah ultimately found her way to the prestigious Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Sarah’s spirited sense of creativity led her to embark on a career in the design industry. She worked for design giant, Holly Hunt, helping to open their award- winning showroom in Miami. Later, Sarah worked for another design giant, Stephanie Odegard, managing the New York showroom of hand-made carpets and furniture. Working alongside Odegard, Sarah embraced Stephanie’s commitment to social equity and diversity, which has become a driver in her current business. Sarah grew to love the carpet industry and describes her time managing the showroom at NY’s Design Center as a career highlight. Taking her years of experience working in luxury design, and fulfilling a life-long dream, Sarah opened The Crows Nest in 2021, a small boutique store in Red Hook, New York. Sarah focuses on sourcing her beautifully crafted inventory through socially responsible and women owned businesses. She lives in Red Hook, NY with her husband and two children - and can be found at The Crows Nest Wednesday through Sunday.
thecrowsnesthudsonvalley.com
Instagram: @thecrowsnesthudsonvalley
(published 2024)
