Interview: Venetia Boucher, Shelter Upstate Stylist
We are launching a new interview series on the Shelter Upstate Journal where we profile people who inspire us. Real people, real homes. To kick things off Winona, Shelter Upstate Founder and Photographer and Venetia, Shelter Upstate Studio Manager and Stylist interviewed each other. We’ve known each other for 10 years but there’s always more to discover. First up, Winona’s interview with Venetia.
Meet Venetia - Stylist, Organizer, Dog Lover, Shelter Upstate Studio Manager, Woodstock NY
Currently listening to: Venetia’s Winter Playlist
Last reading: Hello Gloria Newsletter
Recently Watching: Fleishman is in Trouble
Winona: How long have you lived in Woodstock?
Venetia: A little over 10 years full time. Before that I lived in New York City and used to come up to visit on weekends. I loved having the balance of city and country, but eventually the country won. I enjoy living surrounded by nature, and there’s a wonderful sense of community here in Woodstock. As someone who grew up in a big city (London), small town America can be pretty neat. Of course we also live in a very fun and creative small town.
Winona: What path led you to styling? What is your background?
Venetia: My career has been pretty varied. Like a lot of other people I started out in investment banking post college, then realized I hated it and tried lots of other things.
I really had no idea prop styling was an actual job for the longest time, but it's something I have always instinctively been drawn to and applied in many areas of my life. I've always loved fashion and interiors, photography and magazines, and spent a lot of my free time playing with those. When I was studying in London, I worked with a music video production company and had a lot of fun styling music videos. I took photography classes thinking that was something I might want to do professionally, but I don’t have the patience for the editing process and all the hours on the computer. I like creating the shot and then moving on to the next one.
I also worked as an assistant stylist to a fashion stylist in NYC for a time, but I didn’t love the fashion industry so didn’t pursue it.
After moving to Woodstock and having my kids, I opened and ran a wellness center with my ex partner, and that whole experience brought me back to styling and design. We rented a raw space that had previously been a video store, and I got to design and supervise the buildout and then decorate the space, which was incredibly satisfying for me. I received really great feedback from that project - so many people who visited the center commented on how great it felt and looked. That led to me getting offered decorating and styling projects, and I started taking on organizing clients as well.
Around the same time, I started studying Feng Shui which really resonated with me. I’ve had a lifelong interest in wellness, and it felt like wellness in the home was the missing piece of wellness. You can drink smoothies, go to yoga and take vitamins, but if your home is disorganized, not functional, or not supporting you energetically - you are missing a big piece of the puzzle. We all spend so much time at home, especially since Covid, and having your home be a well thought out, serene and supportive place for relaxation and creativity, is not just a luxury, it's essential to our wellbeing. I’m not saying that everything has to be perfectly styled (as you can see from my home), we all have busy lives and I appreciate a lived in feel, but your home and work space should be somewhere you enjoy being, and feel and look good to you. I incorporate that holistic approach into my work as a stylist.
Winona: What are your passions other than styling and how do they all connect?
Venetia: I have too many interests. Spending time with my family is probably my biggest passion. I also love horses, pottery, sailing, tennis, hiking. You and I are both into roller skating and reading, and I enjoy exchanging book ideas with you. We both have an interest in the esoteric, particularly Astrology and Tarot.
I love to write, and am especially delighted that we have started the Shelter Upstate Journal as this is reviving my inner writer and editor.
Travel is something that I am getting back into lately. When my kids were little it felt ridiculously hard to travel with them, and then Covid, but travel is something that really feeds my soul and inspires me and I’m trying to do that more. Even a weekend away can do wonders.
I also love animals, especially dogs, and some of you might know that I also have a dog sitting business. I mostly work from home when I’m not at a shoot, and it brings me so much joy to have a house full of kids and dogs.
I think these passions connect because they all inspire me in my work and life and make up who I am.
Winona: What is your favorite morning routine?
Venetia: If I’m being completely honest sometimes there is no morning routine, but I would say my favorite morning routine is when I get a little time to myself in the mornings and don’t feel rushed to get out of the door.
It all depends on what time I wake up, as I generally don't like to set an alarm and getting out of bed early in the winter when it’s dark and cold is hard… but every day when I wake up, before I get out of bed I think of three things I am grateful for, three wishes for how I would like the day to go, and focus on my breath for a few minutes. Then I drink a big glass of lemon water. I also try to do some exercise most mornings - otherwise it tends not to happen. I don’t feel fully awake before I’ve stretched and showered. A few rounds of breath of fire also really help to clear out the cobwebs and if I have a couple extra minutes I’ll do some facial guasha.
Winona: What are some of your favorite places in the Hudson Valley? Food, shopping, outdoor activities?
Venetia: We live at the bottom of Meads Mountain which is a very magical place. At the top of the mountain there is the KTD Tibetan Monastery which is incredibly beautiful. I love the Dharma Path walk down to the pond, and Magic Meadow. The Overlook trailhead is right there which is a great hike. There’s no cell service up there so it's a perfect spot to go when you want to think about life.
Aside from the mountains…
Glen Falls House for their summer pool parties.
Que lo Que for their incredible fried chicken.
Lil Debs Oasis in Hudson is a fun vibe, and great food.
Urban Cowboy for dinner and a night out.
Love, Velma is a fantastic members jazz club in Ellenville.
Westerlind for outdoor chic.
I want to buy everything in Clove & Creek.
The spa and pool at Menla.
Winona: In what ways has being a parent influenced your work-life? How do those two roles influence each other?
Venetia: Probably in many ways. Finding that work life balance for sure, building in more downtime, and being more open and flexible to plans changing. I mostly try not to work when I’m with my kids, so I generally schedule my work to the times when they are at school or with their dad. Having said that, I also want my kids to know that it’s important to find work that you enjoy, and sometimes I’ll find ways to involve them or show them what I’m working on. Living in a more rural area there are not a plethora of well paying jobs, and you have to be somewhat creative in how to make a living. Starting your own business is one way to do that, and I want my kids to be inspired to try new things, see what works, and to also know that it takes a lot of hard work and flexibility to start anything new. They are both very creative, energetic, budding entrepreneurs and are endlessly inspiring to me as well.
When my children were babies I took time off work to be home with them, and I remember having a conversation with my mom where I was feeling stressed about having that gap in my resume so to speak. Her reply was don’t worry when you get back in the workforce as a mother you will be 10 times more efficient and able to multitask in a way you never have before - and that is definitely true!
Winona: What have you been reading this Winter?
Venetia: So many things, my kids and I are voracious readers. We are big supporters our local library here in Woodstock, and are there all the time getting new books. I read fiction and non fiction, and listen to a lot of Audible books in the car or walking my dogs, and I love a lazy weekend morning reading a magazine.
Some of my recent favorites are: The Course of Love by Alain De Botton, Wintering by Katherine May, Horse Girls by Halimah Marcus, Animal by Lisa Taddeo, Cleaving by Julie Powell, and My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh.
My kids are really into graphic novels at the moment, and I enjoy reading all the tween and YA books they are reading as well. There are some incredible ones out there with really great messages on body positivity, individuality, standing up for yourself, etc. So much more thought provoking and inspiring than what was around when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s. Some YA graphic novels I recently read and would highly recommend are - Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case, Star Gazing by Jen Wang and Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega.
Winona: What activities, practices keep you sane in the depths of the Catskill Mountain winter season?
Venetia: Good question! Winters can be tough and long around here, and I definitely have to fight the urge to hibernate. I have found over the years that moving my body and connecting with other people are the keys to keeping me sane. Having two dogs forces me to get up and moving every day even when I don’t feel like it, which I am grateful for. We also have some wonderful yoga teachers here locally, and I try to get myself to a class semi-regularly. Aside from that I enjoy doing some winter sports with family and friends like skiing and ice skating. I’m still fairly active in the winter but there is definitely a lot more time at home. I focus on creating a cozy uplifting atmosphere with music, candles, incense, essential oils, cozy throws, lots of plants. My friend recently got me a weighted blanket and I adore sleeping under that every night, and I love curling up by a roaring fire with the family. Fire keeps me going through the long dark winter nights.
Connection is the other puzzle piece for me. Making a point to leave the house and socialize with friends, maybe go see some live music. I also belong to a few womens’ groups. Gathering with other women is a beautiful thing for any time of year but especially in the winter.
Interview & Images by Winona Barton-Ballentine