Coffee with Creatives - May 12, 2025

Featuring

Tara Braatz of Tara Lee Interior Design

Rebecca Bertoldi of My Local Marketing Shop & 222 Marketing

EPISODE RECAP

Monday Morning Musings: A Journey Through Creativity and Community

Hello, everyone!

Welcome to another delightful edition of our Monday morning series. Today, we explore a range of topics from interior design, the joys of gardening, memorable experiences at local events, and the vibrant pulse of community happenings. Join your hosts, Rebecca Bertoldi, your friend in marketing, and Tara Brot, an experienced interior designer dedicated to transforming spaces in both residential and commercial settings.

Celebrations and Reflections

Rebecca kicks off the day with a cheerful greeting and shares an important personal update—it's May 12, 2025, a beautiful day in eastern Connecticut. We're reminded of the significance of celebration and reflection as Tara shares her recent birthday experience, which coincided with Mother's Day.

Tara describes a delightful day beginning with breakfast with her family. They ventured out to the Baltic greenhouse with her mom and daughter to appreciate the garden's beauty.

The Charm of Baltic Greenhouse

Nestled in Baltic, Connecticut, the smallest town on the map with scarcely any traffic lights, the Baltic Greenhouse stands out as a hub for nature lovers. Despite challenges, such as maneuvering around with Tara's mom who had difficulty walking, the trip was a success. Their dedication to cultivating plants from seed and maintaining affordable pricing makes Baltic Greenhouse a local treasure.

Lilacs and Local Ventures

Tara’s love for lilacs brought her to this greenhouse where she found beautifully priced lilacs, inspiring her to plan her yard's redesign—a task we're all familiar with! Rebecca also shares her recent purchase as a gift—a bird bath statue, although with a slight crafting misadventure that involved some noticeable glue. Her mother didn't even notice the imperfections, which led to securing a hanging plant to adorn her mother's bedroom door—a thoughtful touch of nature's elegance.

Tara’s Corner: Interior Design Insights

Tara Brot brings a unique flair to interior design. Her approach goes beyond mere aesthetics—it's about crafting environments that truly reflect the owner's personality while ensuring functionality.

The Journey of Sunroom Design

Currently, Tara is in the process of completing a sunroom design in Middletown. Her commitment to finding fabulous finds that resonate with her client's vision showcases her dedication. She emphasizes the interactive process she brings to interior design, involving clients in every step—whether it be visiting slab yards or furniture stores, Tara is there guiding with an expert hand.

Discovering Your Doorway

“Yes, I could find doors, I could find anything that you're looking for, and we could create it together.” — Tara Brot

Tara elaborates on her passion for restoring aged furniture and fixtures. She mentions Brimfield, a renowned flea market, as a place to discover unique decor items and shares how these treasures, such as a bright yellow mailbox mounted on an old statue, can bring distinctive charm to homes.

Navigating the Online Shopping Maze

Rebecca and Tara delve into the perils and promises of online shopping, particularly for interior designers. With anecdotes about items that didn’t meet expectations or arrived damaged, they stress the importance of patience in finding the perfect fit. Tara highlights success with local shopping—pathways rich with connections to quality, timeless pieces that may surpass anything found in the digital domain.

Designing Websites With Personality

Rebecca parallels her digital marketing work to Tara’s interior design process. Crafting a website, like a home, needs personality—a reflection of both the business owner and the clients they wish to attract. Cookie-cutter templates offer a quick start but rarely capture the essence of individual style. Creative dialogue and a shared vision bring websites to life, similar to how Tara revitalizes spaces.

Adventures Await: Upcoming Events

Brimfield Flea Market Extravaganza

“It's all week. You have to get up there and see it definitely.” — Tara Brot

For those eager to explore antique treasures and the stories they tell, the Brimfield Flea Market awaits. This renowned market, sprawling through miles of unique finds, promises excitement for all, even those simply interested in people-watching. Whether looking for a vintage garden statue or an ornate door, you’ll find it there. Prepare for weather changes with thoughtful packing—comfortable shoes, waterproof gear, and maybe a wagon for your finds.

Practical Tips for Brimfield:

• Weather Considerations: Bring sturdy, waterproof footwear.

• Parking Fees: Expect fees ranging from $5 to $20, with midstream parking recommended.

• Shopping Strategy: A backpack for small treasures and patience for bigger crowds as the weekend unfolds.

Connect and Grow: Networking Opportunities

Rebecca wraps up with a reminder about various community networking events catering to professional growth and local engagement. From Thursday groups to Friday masterminds, opportunities abound for those seeking connection, collaboration, and collective action.

Crafting a Colorful World

As the exploration of creative journeys comes to a close, Tara shares plans for exterior design projects, blending aesthetics with functionality. Her guidance in choosing harmonious colors and materials ensures that every home stands out beautifully yet appropriately within its neighborhood.

Closing Thoughts

Tara says it best: “A smile goes a long way. You never know what anyone's dealing with.” Amidst the hustle, be kind, patient, and enjoy the process of both design and life. Whether turning a house into a home or a website into a brand, let creativity and compassion guide your journey.

Stay tuned for more insights and join us next time as we dive deeper into the fascinating world of interior design and digital marketing.