A Chat with Deb Foglia

Deb Foglia

Friends I’m so happy to welcome Deb Foglia to the Chalet for a chat. Deb welcome - please share a bit about yourself. Hi, I'm Deb Foglia the creator behind the design platform Seeking Lavender Lane. As a creative and serial entrepreneur I have embarked on many adventures through my platform, sharing to my blog and Instagram accounts over the years. Since I was a little girl I have always loved art and creating. I remember choreographing dance moves, putting on performances, drawing and painting constantly in my room, and always longing for a career in the fashion world. After college I entered the bridal industry and then started my design blog in 2013 sharing DIY projects and home renovations. My life certainly revolves around creating, my family, and my faith. 

My family is truly the biggest blessing, some days I wake up and cannot believe how much the Lord has blessed me. I am currently raising two TEENAGERS!!!! I'm not even sure how that all happened, but I have a 17-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Our home is truly a place that I love to create special moments in with them, even though the teenage years bring more closed bedroom doors. We encourage family game night and dinner together; these are core moments for us to connect as a family. Usually we are all sitting around gushing about how cute Luca, our dog is and giving him a spoiled life. 

Though we are NJ people, we moved to Pennsylvania 2.5 years ago, to put our kids in a Christian school. The transition was rocky for a while especially after a long renovation, some friend drama, my husband losing his job, and us having to move again. I truly do believe we landed where we are supposed to be. We love the beauty of Pennsylvania and still appreciate the convenience of being so close to NJ while building new roots out here. 

Deb’s last home was featured on Homeworthy.

The Mountain Chateau

Tell us about your work. Seeking Lavender Lane started as a creative outlet for me. We were buying our first home in 2013 and I wanted to document our makeover. Eventually it became something I was invested in pursuing as a career, and I worked towards that when I left my bridal job in 2017. Content creation changed a lot in those years and even more so since 2020. That led me to think of other ways to build a business with my platform, which resulted in me making a candle line @fleurflame_candle and eventually opening a vintage marketplace @vintage_keepers_shop, starting a local vintage market @vk_markets, and opening my own vintage shop @eleanore_antiques. It's been a fun ride - one that I am learning takes a lot less of my ADHD and more focus. I have since decided to shut down our Vintage Keepers platform in March of 2026 and focus on creating again, which is what I love. 2026 I believe is going to be about less overthinking my business adventure and starting to do what I love again, and the rest is in God's hands.                

the transformation of Deb’s first home in 2013.

What motivates you? Definitely a creative idea! I can sometimes be a bit impulsive but I have always been a dream chaser and when I put my mind to something I usually just go for it! But of course, always pray about it first. I have learned that when you don't give something to God, you can sometimes lose focus.

Who or What has been the biggest influence on you? I think how my adult life started had a big influence on me. We became super young parents and at 20 years old I had to truly just grow up. What I really focused on in my 20s was avoiding failure and working toward success for myself and my family. I suddenly became a dreamer and chasing my dreams inspired me. I wasn't afraid of them! My husband has also been a big influence on me, especially his drive and determination to succeed in his career and provide for his family. 

CATEGORIES ON DEB’S SITE: SeekingLavenderLane.com

Your Happy place – where is it? For sure: with a cup of coffee, at the flea market with friends, or with a paint brush in hand.

DEB’S CURRENT HOME’S ENTRY HALL

What’s your personal style? I would say my personal style is classic, with a little bit of trendy, and usually neutrals. 

What is your home aesthetic? I would say one constant style that has never changed is vintage! I love vintage and I love collecting. I lean very much more European and I like a little quirky. 

What space are you most comfortable? Definitely at home with my family. A Sunday after church with Sinatra playing in the background, a glass of wine in hand, a charcuterie board laid out, and making dinner beside hubby. Its my most favorite moments more than anything and where I feel myself.

What is something you try and do every day? Have a deep conversation with my husband, read the bible (I wish I were more consistent with this), and limit my scrolling. 

What’s your guilty pleasure? Ice cream! Probably a good TV binge day, and shopping for antiques!

Deb I can’t thank you enough for taking the time from your busy schedule to chat. I marvel at the brand you’ve created with your determination and hard work. You’ve been featured on: Flea Market Flip, Rachel Ray Show, American Farmhouse Style magazine, and your last home on Homeworthy. You are such an inspiring entrepreneur!

Follow Deb: @seekinglavenderlane @eleanore_antiques . @vk_markets@vintage_keepers_shop and her website seekinglavenderlane.com  

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on the Gram!

IMAGES: Deb Foglia

Chalet Shelves • Reading Recs 2.18.26

I’ve enjoyed these truly brilliant reads recently friends and needed to share them in an article because they are that good! I’ve also updated my favorite books article: Get Your Read On! Enjoy!

I listened to these books. I love to listen and feel fully immersed with my air-pods in. I borrow titles through Hoopla and Libby and sometimes purchase titles through Chirp.

All the Colors of the Dark: This incredible tale of a boy with an eye patch - an unlikely hero of sorts who’s split second act reverberates for years to come. This book is gripping, sad, and brilliant. When I finished it I was sad to leave these wonderful tortured selfless souls behind. It’s a missing person mystery, a thriller and a love story that leaves you blown away.

The Correspondent: Sybil Van Antwerp a 73 year old retired lawyer lives alone and communicates to everyone via letters three mornings a week. The story opens in 2012 with Sybil at her desk. She writes to her brother, her best friend, the dean of the department of the university who will not allow her to audit a class, the authors Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. She uses letter writing to connect with others and reflect on her life. The letters reveal her humor, regrets, and personal growth. I found Sybil a captivating person - and the getting to know her through not only the letters she writes but through the ones she receives so enjoyable.

Broken Country: Beth and her sweet husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying in the past. When Frank’s brother shoots a dog that is going after their sheep - the past comes back because the dog belonged to Gabriel Wolfe. The man Beth loved as a teenager and who broke her heart. This story is so layered and you feel every emotion of the characters so deeply. I found it gripping. Its a love story with the pace of a thriller.

Raising Hare: A wonderful true story of what happened when Chloe Dalton stumbled across a baby leverete near her home in the English countryside. Imagine saving a sweet little baby hare, bottle feeding it and watching it grow while never treating it as a pet. Imagine two years later the animal still ran in from the fields when you called it and it slept in your house. The relationship so unusual was wonderful to glimpse. I truly enjoyed this tale of caring.

Til next time friends Happy Reading or Listening! I’ll see you on the Gram!

Big Green Barn Visit 2.6.26

Friends I popped over to The Country Mile in Harding last Friday to see my sweet friend Susan Brierly Bush at her shop the Big Green Barn located at 912 Mt. Kemble Ave. (same as Route 202 between Morristown and Bernardsville.)

Susan is always bringing in new treasures - she spends time each week searching and also assists clients with consigning pieces. There is always something new to see at the Big Green Barn and she is happy to keep an eye open for clients if you are looking for that certain piece.

The Big Green Barn offers something for everyone. Art, Books, Ceramics, Decor, Furniture, Lamps, Mirrors, Statuary, Tabletop and more!

I was thrilled to bring home this lovely watercolor of The Place de la Concorde

Here’s Susan and her right hand man - husband Bob!

It’s always a treat to see Susan and her delightful shop! I encourage you to follow Big Green Barn Instagram page for updates and shop hours so you can plan your visit - you’ll be so glad you did!

Til next time be well friends and I’ll see you over on the Gram!