Seasonal Splendor
Lauren Bryant , Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Church Street Hospitality , shares the secrets behind the sensational seasonal décor at their beloved restaurants
As Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Church Street Hospitality , Lauren Bryant has elevated Southern Vermont ’ s culinary scene with her husband and business partner , Steven Bryant . Working together , they have built a loyal gourmet following with celebrated establishments such as The Dorset Inn , Barrows House , Pearl ’ s Place & Pantry , The Lake House , Dorset Bakery , curATE Café , The Publyk House , and Mountain Top Resort . Lauren Bryant takes great pride in the phenomenal indoor and outdoor seasonal arrangements at all of Church Street Hospitality ’ s restaurants — and Fall is no exception .
tailored for both advanced or beginner riders based on their abilities ,” explains Miller . From Memorial Day weekend through October , the equestrian center allows guests to immerse themselves in nature on 40 miles of designated trails . Advanced bookings are required , and they can be arranged through the Activities Center .
Every Fall , Bryant purchases multiple truckloads of fresh gourds , pumpkins , and squash from several local , independent farms in Pawlet and Rupert , Equinox Nursery in Manchester , and Tiashoke Farm in nearby Schaghticoke , NY . After picking up the curated assortment of farm-fresh goods , each truck stops at a different restaurant , starting with The Dorset Inn and continuing southward to The Publyk House in Bennington . Each decorative installation takes several hours to complete , and the process is closely overseen and managed by Bryant . “ In terms of gourds and pumpkins , I look for a huge variety of sizes , colors , and shapes ,” notes Bryant . “ It ’ s become a large part of the guest experience in the Fall . They come to expect the colorful show , and everyone comments on the unique shapes and varieties of the gourds , squash , and pumpkins .” Although Bryant believes that every gourd , pumpkin , and squash plays an integral part in the decorative installations , she holds a special place in her heart for Hubbard squashes and gooseneck gourds .
While working with gardeners and staff members to create the decorative schemes , Bryant abides by several key rules : “ It ’ s best to incorporate many colors and textures in order to balance the aesthetic , and you want to make sure that some things are oriented vertically , while others are resting on the ground . It ’ s both an art and a science , and I liken it to floral arranging . There are unwritten rules , but it makes visual sense when things go together . Some gourds and squashes end up leaning at an angle , and others can be stacked .”
In order to preserve the rustic beauty of both indoor and outdoor arrangements , Bryant recommends varying the spacing and layout and interspersing different varieties of gourds , pumpkins , and squashes . “ You don ’ t want a big pile of pumpkins ,” she adds . “ There has to be tasteful variation .” Over the past several years , Bryant has also integrated fun decorative touches such as flint corn , corn stalks , dried hydrangeas , and sumac to add colorful vibrancy to the arrangements . For indoor displays , she recommends burlap cloths , real or artificial leaves , and table coverings with warm , autumnal colors . Lastly , Bryant offers one parting piece of advice for novice home decorators hosting their first Fall soirée : “ Make sure that the pumpkins or gourds that you pick aren ’ t too big for the table .”
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Mountain Top ’ s private beach at Chittenden Reservoir is available only to overnight and event guests , offering a tranquil escape with complimentary kayaks , canoes , and paddleboards available on a first-come , first-served basis . Guests can also enjoy fishing on the lake , with largemouth bass , smallmouth bass , walleye , yellow perch , and sunfish abundant in the waters . The resort offers small fishing boat rentals and equipment , mak-
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