Scenes from FOCStudio's First Open House

Last week I held my first Open House at Audrey’s on Newbury Street. It was a smashing success, even better than I could have imagined. And I only say that because I hardly remember what happened. Suddenly I was collapsed at home on the couch, happy, hoarse, and STARVING because I forgot to eat. Good sign of good times, right?

I had albums and canvases propped on shelves all over the store and a slideshow of favorite pet and wedding photographs scrolling on the TV.  Parrott Design Studio had their suite of letterpress printed wedding invitations nestled in between bags of dog food, and their big binder of stationery samples sat atop a cat scratching post. My sister-in-law Meg took charge of the drinking station in the back of the store, surrounded by cushy piles of dog beds, and The South End Buttery catered the food, none of which I ate (talking talking talking!) but heard was very delicious. Oh I did have one cupcake! That I remember.

Here are some new wedding canvases for the Open House, waiting to be displayed. No need for pet ones – Audrey’s has seven of them on the walls already!

And floral arrangements by Petalena, made pet-friendly:

Beautiful spring bridal bouquet of tulips, ranunculus (swoon), sweet pea (swooon),
peonies (swooOOoOOoon) anchored by a ruffle of sage. HOLD ME!

Show time!

I was still setting up when people started arriving. You guys are punctual. I was still setting up 15 minutes in, heads down, running around, moving things, forgetting things, panicking, and then decided to just let it go and Start Mingling. Otherwise known as The Whole Point of this Open House.

With so many great raffle prizes, we raised over $400 for the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Thank you to Brittany, Sarah, Apryl of Petalena Flowers, Jennifer of Esq. Events, Kerrie of Back Bay Framery, as well as Grettacole and Top of the Hub for your contributions!

Your hosts above, L-R: Brittany, owner of Audrey’s and Sarah of Parrott Design Studio
Your host below: Me with four-legged friend Emma, my husband Dan and his sister Meg

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who came to the Open House and making it such a fun evening. Maybe we’ll have to make this an annual thing!

All Open House photos by my kitty-in-law Lisa Rigby
(our cats are bros, and ARL Boston alumi!)