A French woman and a lady from Liverpool walk into a bar…
Well, not quite. To be precise, the bar is The DeWitt guesthouse kitchen, and the ladies are Dorothée and Diane, the owners. And if these two ladies are making drinks, we are hurrying to meet them.
Quite possibly two of the nicest people in Upstate NY, the pair exude effortless style and charm. Introduced through acquaintances, the women became quick friends and bonded over their eye for detail and love of vintage finds. Serendipitously, both European transplants were looking to leave their Manhattan media careers to pursue their true passions outside of the City. French & Scouser, their vintage shop, was then born. Influenced by the eclectic pieces they find in small country auctions, the French & Scouser store was originally set in Brooklyn. Last year, when the time was right, the gals officially took their talents Upstate.
Close to the action, Dorothée and Diane spend many mornings at local auction houses – like Mooney’s in East Durham – ready and eager to bid for that perfect piece.
A well-curated selection of antique gems and auction block finds fill both their new Upstate inn, The DeWitt Oak Hill, and their online French & Scouser boutique. With clients like big hotels in NYC to individuals like you and me, these two ladies know how to source character pieces that are truly special. Their prowess for identifying beautiful vintage pieces spans everything from gorgeous furniture and collectible art to unique accessories and rare toys.
If you’re more of a “I need to see it in person, touch it, and smell it” kind of person, everything that furnishes and decorates The DeWitt Oak Hill happens to be for sale by French (Dorothée) & Scouser (Diane).
Enjoying your stay at The DeWitt and just loving the coffee table? SOLD! Mesmerized by that one-of-a-kind rug in the bedroom? SOLD! Even that killer red chair in the living room can be yours for a little dough.
The only thing not for sale (we venture to guess) at The DeWitt is the set of history books nestled nicely on the living room shelf. The History of France sits propped up next to the History of England, exactly as they were when the friends stumbled across the books when deciding whether to purchase the property. A God-wink, if you will. One sideways glance and the lady from England and the lady from France knew they would sign on the dotted line. And that’s when their second venture – The DeWitt Oak Hill – was born.
These two friends put hard-work and heart into everything they do. With that magic touch, they’re able to give character and life to any space they decide to tackle. Luckily though, their sense of style is equally matched by their warmth and hospitality. A relaxing weekend at Diane and Dorothée’s guesthouse and you’ll feel like you’ve just stayed with friends.
For special vintage finds, browse their online store: French & Scouser
For a look at their charming guesthouse, view here: The DeWitt Oak Hill
