“When I first moved to New York City, I never would have believed that I’d eventually long for the countryside again,” says the designer Ryan Roche, laughing. “But with little ones and living in Brooklyn, my day-to-day just wasn’t very peaceful. I grew up in Idaho in a really small town, with horses and wide open space and lots of fresh air, and I wanted to get back to my country-girl roots.” So in 2008, she and her family packed up the contents of their fourth-floor walk-up in Bushwick, and moved into a 17th-century stone farmhouse in the historic town of Hurley, N.Y.  Since Roche launched her knitwear-focused women’s line in 2011 — working out of what was, at one point, a nearly falling down barn on her land that her husband then renovated into a studio — she’s steadily made a name for herself as a designer who is sidestepping the usual avenues to fashion-world success. “Being up here is not the typical path for a new label to start out, but it’s been beneficial to my whole story and the story of my brand. It’s truly become the fabric of who I am.”  Roche’s designs have been referred to as minimalist, but her take is warm and rustic rather than futuristic or architectural (her fall 2015 collection is marked by a purity of line that at times evokes the garments worn by the Amish or Shakers). The Catskills, of course, have shaped both her aesthetic and her creative process. “Here, the calm and tranquility are so good for my general state of mind,” she says. “That kind of isolation allows me space to focus on my message. It’s a great quality of life.” Below, Roche shares some of her favorite things to see, do and be inspired by in Upstate New York — including a pop-up flea market, which comes to a Catskills inn this Saturday and Sunday.  “The Maverick Concert Hall is beautiful, set in the woods, and has such a magical air. The walls are adorned with photos from its 100-year past. There is some serious history here. I’ve loved seeing Elizabeth Mitchell and Daniel Littleton, who are Grammy-nominated, Woodstock-based musicians.”  120 Maverick Road, Woodstock, N.Y., maverickconcerts.org.  “This is an organic orchard and farm run by Fabio Chizzola and Laura Ferrara. You can pick your own berries and apples. They’re proper Italians, and they have a wood-fired pizza oven — they make the most delicious pizza, always with things that they’re growing. They have a beautiful little farm store, with gorgeous cutting boards made out of the apple wood, and there are beauty products. Laura’s mom is always there, and Fabio’s mom is there, and they make their own dried sausage and fresh homemade pasta. Officially, they really open in the fall, but there are a few different events in the summer. (Recently, they did a big pizza night and a screening of “Dirty Dancing.”) There’s always beautiful and interesting people. Laura’s a stylist and Fabio’s a fashion photographer, so they have their loving fashion-industry network, but there’s also lots of locals.”  The orchard will be open every weekend from Aug. 15 through Oct. 31 at 215 Lower Whitfield Road, Accord, N.Y., westwindorchard.com.  Levon’s Midnight Ramble in Woodstock  “This is a magical night of music. Levon Helm started doing these rambles in his home in Woodstock in 2004, and the friends that he would get to come through these nights, about once a month, were huge names — Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson. Since he passed away, his daughter, Amy Helm, has carried it on. It’s amazing. My daughter, Luella, and my son, Fionn, have been so lucky to perform there a few times. Recently, for what would’ve been Levon’s 75th birthday — he came from Arkansas originally, and his second-to-last album was called ‘Dirt Farmer’ — Luella got to sing ‘Poor Old Dirt Farmer,’ which was his hit.”  The next Midnight Ramble features Graham Nash on Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock, N.Y., levonhelm.com.  “Sawkille is a furniture shop in Rhinebeck, and their in-house brand of furniture is made nearby in Kingston. It’s super-beautiful, so well-made. Jonah Meyer is the designer, and he’s very inspired by the Shaker tradition. He’s been making furniture forever, and he’s by far one of my favorite designers. We have a lovely hutch of his, and I’m dying to get some of his dining room chairs. They’re not cheap, so we’re saving up! He makes gorgeous benches — just essentials that you’ll have and love forever and pass on to your kids. It’s really timeless, beautiful craft.”  31 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, N.Y., sawkille.com.  “I was reluctant to put this on my list because it’s my treasure trove that I’ve always held as a secret. What you find depends on the day, of course. Ann, the owner, lives in front and she has this red barn in the back. She has amazing prices on the most beautiful Victorian cottons and dresses and linens. I’ve found so many incredible things there: For example, weird porcelain vases that are the perfect shade of lavender or pink, or a Victorian pair of long johns, where the detail is just so amazing. I’ve definitely been inspired to do a knit legging based off one of those cool long johns.”  72 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, N.Y., outbackantiquesny.com.  Phoenicia Flea, popping up in West Kill  “The Phoenicia Flea started at the Graham & Co. hotel, but now it travels around to different Upstate locations. James Anthony, who runs the Flea, was my roommate in Brooklyn, and he’s this totally cool guy. (By the way, James’s boyfriend, Paul Lowe Einlyng, does a food, lifestyle and crafts magazine that is based in Phoenicia called Sweet Paul.) The Flea is really a mix: some local things, artisan-made things, antiques and also the typical flea market finds. I’ve found gorgeous wool blankets, perfumes and general loveliness. It’s very well-edited.”  The next Phoenicia Flea will take place July 25-26 at the Spruceton Inn, 2080 Spruceton Road, West Kill, N.Y., sprucetoninn.com.  Ron Sharkey’s Downtown Antiques in Accord; Field and Barn in High Falls  “Ron Sharkey used to be a schoolteacher in the city. His private home in Accord was just featured in World of Interiors. And the antiques he sells are amazing, so well-curated, always such fair prices. We have loads of furniture from him in our house — beautiful mirrors and chairs. And if you’re looking for the ultimate farm table, that’s the spot to go to. Ron also has this great restored black barn in High Falls, where he puts on occasional antiques markets. He has a big pasture in the front, and there are multiple vendors. His barn is also where the Field & Supply artisan fair is held.  Downtown Antiques is open only on Sundays, or during the week by appointment (or by chance) at 23 Main Street, Accord, N.Y., facebook.com/pages/Downtown-Antiques/. Ron Sharkey’s Field and Barn antiques fair is located at 4-8 Bruceville Road, High Falls, N.Y., (845) 706-1070.  “This is such an adorable specialty little market, and they have a nursery and cafe. The food there is so delicious. It’s crunchy-granola-y, like Woodstock food is, but in the best way. I order the veggie burger and also their Cantaberry, which is half a cantaloupe with yogurt, nuts and granola.”  217 Tinker Street, Woodstock, N.Y., sunfrostfarms.com.  “A beautifully preserved 1960s diner, and the dishes are super-yummy. You know you’re gonna have great food, no matter what you order. They use ingredients sourced from Upstate farms. It’s a very considered menu, very responsibly minded, and I love to support it. And it’s also cool for people-watching.”  5681 Route 28, Phoenicia, N.Y., phoeniciadiner.com.  Cucina in Woodstock; Market Street in Rhinebeck  “These restaurants are by the same owners. Cucina has the big family tables; we always go with all our friends and all the kids. They have a lovely porch, so you can sit outside, and it’s always super-delicious. Market Street has a similar menu, though not exactly the same. The interiors are very simple and beautiful. Their rigatoni is to die for — that’s what I always get. They have delicious wine, and they do amazing pizza.”  Cucina, 109 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, N.Y., cucinawoodstock.com. Market Street, 19 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, N.Y., marketstrhinebeck.com.  Field + Supply, founded by the interior designer Brad Ford, launches this weekend in a barn in High Falls, N.Y. Here, a look at some of the furniture and objects on offer.  The designer, a CFDA Award finalist, is turning her knitwear line into a thriving brand.
The cult fashion designer shares her favorite places to buy furniture and long johns, eat rigatoni and pick berries in the Catskills.