Hi there, I’m Susan,
If you’re new here, welcome! I’m so glad you found your way to this little corner of the internet. And if you’ve been around for a while — thank you. Truly. It means the world.
I’m Susan, the creator of Hen and Horse Design — a lifestyle blog dedicated to the art of beautiful everyday living. Home decorating, entertaining, cooking meals that feel special without taking all day, arranging flowers, styling a tablescape, organizing a linen closet — these are the things that genuinely light me up. I believe your home should be your haven. Not someday. Now.
Which brings me to the philosophy I come back to again and again:
“Treat Yourself Like You Are The Company”
Use the good dishes. Light the candle on a Tuesday. Put fresh flowers on the table just because. When we treat ourselves well, we go out into the world and treat others with that same kindness. And a beautiful home? It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I’ll show you how.
So How Did Hen and Horse Design Come to Life?
The name is a love story, honestly. My husband Andrew has had a lifelong love of horses. I have an inexplicable devotion to roosters and chickens. And together we’ve always shared a quiet dream of owning a small farm someday — horses, hens, and probably a few other barnyard creatures we haven’t planned for yet.
When the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, I turned inward — and homeward. What started as a way to stay productive during an uncertain time grew into something I never expected: a genuine passion for transforming spaces and finding beauty within my own four walls.
Then something happened that stopped me in my tracks. Saratoga Living Magazine came calling. Being featured in the pages of such a beautiful, prestigious publication felt like a tap on the shoulder from the universe — keep going. So I did. I started sharing everything I’d been learning, creating, and falling in love with, and Hen and Horse Design was born.
What began quietly in the corners of my own home has grown into a vibrant, heart-full space where I share stories of home décor, gardening, entertaining, recipes, vintage finds, and the everyday magic of a life beautifully lived.
Come On In
The Roost is always open. Pull up a chair, stay a while — and say hello to our little white bunny, Cannoli. He runs the place, if we’re being honest.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Have you checked out my other social channels? Follow along so you don’t miss out on any of my tips, recipes, or stories! Join me on my other social channels for more! Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
Recent blog posts
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Rambling from the Roost: Volume 23
The one where we escape to our favorite island, eat very well, and I share a few things you might have missed on the blog. Oh friend, pull up a chair. Pour yourself something cold — or hot, depending on where you live — because it’s time for another Rambling from the Roost. These little…
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Easy Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites Recipe: Party Appetizer
Light, fresh, and elegant enough for company — easy enough for a Wednesday night. Grazing is my thing. A little of this, a little of that — a bite here, a nibble there. There is something about a beautiful little platter that just makes an ordinary evening feel special. Andrew and I do this often…
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How to Create a Winning Kentucky Derby Tablescape
The first Saturday in May has always felt like a little holiday in our house — the kind you make yourself. It begins with my Kentucky Derby tablescape tablecloth going down before breakfast and ends with candles burning long after the race is over. That is Derby Day at The Roost, and around here, it…
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Easy Trader Joes Seafood Blend Recipe
One skillet, big Mediterranean flavor, and cleanup that takes less time than setting the table. There is something I have been on a mission to find lately — recipes that are genuinely healthy AND genuinely delicious. Because let’s be honest, friend, that combination is not always as easy as it sounds. You find something healthy,…
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How to Arrange Spring Flowers in a Vintage Vase
Every week, without fail, you’ll find me standing in the flower section at Trader Joe’s — probably blocking the aisle, definitely taking too long. I can’t help it. The moment I see what’s new — a bundle of garden roses, a bunch of ranunculus, something unexpected and gorgeous I’ve never tried before — I am…
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DIY | Home Decor | Living Room
How to Style a Decorative Tray in 10 Minutes
If there is one decorating staple I reach for more than anything else in this house, it’s a tray. A simple, beautiful tray is honestly one of the most versatile accessories you can own — and I don’t say that lightly. It corrals. It anchors. It turns a random collection of favorite things into a…
