Local Attraction: Mackenzie-Childs
The home furnishings company founded by Victoria and Richard Mackenzie-Childs has become a nationally known and loved. Today under different ownership the business still thrives.
If you are following the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Mackenzie-Childs is right on the way! It is located about 10 miles north of King Ferry Winery on State Rt. 90. Set back from the road you will see the giant warehouse, a farmhouse and various barns in which the infamous, yearly barn sale is held. Rumor has it that a regular customer flies in for the sale on her private jet! The sale is four days long and announced only weeks before it occurs. If you love bargains and don’t mind lines it’s a good time.
Visitors enter on a winding brick driveway that passes the farmhouse where tours are held to showcase the sometimes elegant, sometimes fanciful décor. Since the design team at Mackenzie-Childs creates everything from rugs to ottomans to hanging lamps to napkin rings to sinks every inch of the farmhouse is authentic.
The whole property is something to see; behind the house is a charming pond. There are several lovely gardens, and the most extravagant chicken coop you have likely ever seen with fancy chickens and ducks to match! There are also adorable Jacob sheep grazing in a back pasture.
Now for the gift shop! Both Victoria and Richard graduated from nearby Alfred University with degrees in ceramic sculpture and ceramics remain the gem of the business. The ceramics are all made right in the onsite warehouse and painted by hand. If you have never heard of Mackenzie-Childs you still may recognize the Courtly Check pattern. It has been featured in movies and in numerous home magazines. The seemingly simple black and off-white checkerboard pattern is not so simple on close inspection; the brush strokes are visible and contain touches of gold, purple and green. The imperfect squares show that each piece is unique and handmade. There are several other signature patterns including one recently rereleased patter called King Ferry! In the gift shop you will also find glassware, enamelware, furniture, and other one of a kind gift items.
Mackenzie-Childs is a perfect stop for avid decorators and gift buyers alike. It is a highly recommended stop even if you just wish to poke around. You won’t find anyplace else like it!
Find out more at: http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/
