Emma Tuccillo is probably the first person I would approach when asking for the perfect upstate weekend itinerary - but lucky for us all, those answers are already available on And North, the travel and hospitality guide covering the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and beyond that Emma founded in 2014.
When we first followed And North on Instagram at the beginning of 2016, we immediately felt we had found another group of people just as excited about life upstate as we were. Between their legendary “Soirée on the Railway” events, their perfectly curated town guides, and their newly launched Stay North platform (which has inspired us to take many more staycations this year), Emma and the And North team have made a considerable impact on the travelscape of our beloved region.
On the eve of launching Buy North, an exclusive partnership between And North and our very own real estate collective, and nearing their 8 year brand birthday, our Brand Director Tia sits down with Emma to discuss the And North Creative Director’s favorite spots upstate, her inspiration for founding the brand, and some insight into her own interior style.
Photography by Emma Tuccillo
Interview by Tia Kumar
Tia: And North feels like a love letter to all of the incredible people, businesses, and towns in our region - what initially made you fall in love with Upstate New York?
Emma: I first fell in love with upstate New York while getting my BFA in photography at SUNY New Paltz. On the weekends, I would drive into the mountains and to the little towns that dot the Hudson Valley. These experiences always felt adventurous and usually led to a fascinating conversation with a stranger, a stunning moment with nature, or both. After I finished school, I stayed in the area and worked various jobs in different creative fields - including a farm-to-table restaurant, a 19th-century photo school, and a local furniture/lighting designer.
These experiences showed me how rich and fascinating the area is and made me want to explore more and share with others. When I moved to the city and realized how few people knew about the fascinating world north of NYC, I started And North as a way to share and inspire.
You and your team are often the ones behind the lens, photographing content for And North, but we’ve also enjoyed following along with your personal documentation of what you lovingly call “My Hastings House”. Could you share how (and why) you made your home in this waterfront town and a little bit behind how you’ve decided to curate your home’s interiors?
I grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, a charming Rivertown 40 minutes from the city. After going to school upstate and then living in the city for six years, I quite serendipitously stumbled upon my current house while on a walk with my mom about four years ago. The home, a former goat barn from the late 1700s, is part of a more significant estate and happened to be for rent. I longed to move out of the city and feel part of a community, so I left Queens and moved in. I have felt so lucky ever since. The house faces the river and has so many charming details that inspire me every day. I have styled the house with cherished heirlooms, vintage finds, and modern pieces that I hope have created an inviting and cozy home.
Okay - we know you can’t pick favorites, but if you were to share some of your more frequented hidden gems in the Hudson Valley and beyond, what would they be?
It seems to change every day as I continue to explore, but here are a few loved spots: The Book Barn in Hillsdale, The Bovina Fermentory in Bovina, The Historic Trolley on Kingston’s waterfront, and Ron Sharkey’s antique store, Maple Lawn, in Stone Ridge.
In that same vein - if you could send a friend upstate for 48 hours, what’s on the itinerary? Where should they be staying? Where are they eating?
Oh my goodness, I wish I could give ten itineraries as there is so much to do and explore, but here is one centered around Kingston (a beloved city):
I would recommend you stay at Hotel Kinsley in one of their colorful Wall Street rooms, grab a coffee and a book at Rough Draft before wandering around historic uptown Kingston, take a drive to midtown for lunch at Village Coffee and Goods before driving to downtown to visit Clove & Creek and the many unique independent shops of the area. Walk down the hill to the waterfront and buy a ticket for the historic trolley that travels along the river (make sure to stop at Kingston Point Rotary Park for a picnic or a stroll).
In the evening, head back to the hotel to grab a martini at the bar before having dinner in their elegant restaurant (try to reserve a table near their fireplace). The following day, take the short drive to the Ashokan Reservoir for a lovely stroll before visiting the exciting town of Woodstock. Shop at Three Turtle Doves vintage store and the many antique and specialty shops before having a meal at Silvia or their new sister restaurant Good Night. After all that, you’ll drive back home happy and feeling very ready for your next upstate adventure.
And North launched Stay North this past year, which helps your audience navigate the short-term rental market by including exceptional, design-focused stays in a directory format. What was the idea behind you and your team’s decision to branch out into this part of the upstate travel experience?
Over the past seven years, we have been lucky to stay at many fantastic hotels and Airbnb’s in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and beyond. We have formed strong connections to the owners of these properties and a deep love for hospitality. We started Stay North last year as a way to feature the best boutique hotels and rental properties in one easy-to-use directory. With advanced search functionality, stunning photography, and local recommendations, we hope that we will guide our audience to the best places to stay and help them discover gems they may not have found on their own.
Where do you find yourself most creatively inspired to work these days? At home? A coffee shop in Kingston? On the Metro-North?
These days, my favorite weekday tradition is to grab a coffee with some friends at The Good Witch in Hastings and then go to the public library up the street to work (it has some of the best views of the palisades, hands down).
As a photographer, have you found yourself especially inspired by life (and the views) upstate? What have been some of your most memorable photoshoots (or photo locations)?
Oh yes, it is no coincidence that my love for upstate New York began while studying photography in the Hudson Valley. From incredible landscapes to winding country roads to stunning interiors, I have been fortunate to explore through my lens all of these years. Some of the most memorable locations include Manitoga in Garrison, Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, Church Des Artistes in Kingston, and Storm King Art Center in New Windsor.
This one may be primarily for our own excitement, but can we expect a Soirée on the Railway anytime in the next couple of years?
We would love to! Covid has derailed the Soirée for two years, and I am dying to host it again. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we can make an event happen this year. Stay tuned on our Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop.
You work with an accomplished team of women - how has it been to expand the And North world and collaborate with so many new talents?
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to meet people equally passionate about upstate New York and who bring a unique skillset to And North. I am so lucky to work with a small and talented team of women. Our team includes Nina Barry (Design Director), Camilla Ffrench (Outreach Director), Reggie Adewunmi (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director), Anya Tchoupakov (Social Media Consultant), Sylvie Morgan Brown (Editorial), Natalie Chitwood (photographer), and many other talented freelancers.
As you launch Buy North in partnership with our collective, could you share a bit of what inspired you to bring a curated selection of real estate content to the And North community?
We have always wanted to explore the exciting world of upstate real estate with our audience, but it was essential to find the right partner. We have long admired The Lillie K. Team and are consistently in awe of your thoughtful storytelling and stunning collection of homes. When we decided to create Buy North, we wanted to work with your team because we are so aligned in our love for the area, aesthetic, and passion for architecture and history. We love to imagine the rich stories and backgrounds of the homes in upstate NY and wanted to find a partner who looked at real estate from that perspective as well. Working with The Lillie K. Team is the perfect fit, and we are so excited to share these stories and properties with our audience.
Photo by Alon Koppel for the Lillie K. Team
Lastly, we both share a slight obsession with beautiful homes and interiors. What is your dream property? What would be the style of the house? Historic or Modern? (To live in, run a business from, or anything else).
Like so many of you, we often scan online real estate sites to gaze at stunning properties in upstate New York. I am an avid lover of historical structures with strange architectural details, so my dream property would likely have a story to tell and a mystery to unfold. My business partner Nina Barry and I dream of buying a property upstate and creating a destination for our audience to visit. Through our events, we have developed a love for creating magical spaces and experiences that bridge the region’s history with the talent found here today. Our dream property would inspire those kinds of experiences and be a place to welcome and entertain.
To learn more about Buy North, you can visit the portal on And North’s page here.
