The Story of Terston Green & Our Love of Fabric

11 hours ago
2 min read

Geraldine’s Favorite Color: Green

You may have noticed that Terston uses an old-world English green as its signature color, because green has always been a favorite of mine. I’m not quite sure when I fell in love with green, but growing up in Scotland, much of our clothing was green. From our wellies (rubber boots) to our Mackintoshes (raincoats), green was everywhere. Additionally, my family’s tartan (Robertson) featured predominantly green hues. Even my school club, Murray House, embraced green as its color—and, surprise, my wedding dress was not white, but a lovely shade of eau de nil.

Sometimes, people ask about my motivation for owning a shop, and I share that my passion has always been in being a buyer, as I find joy in selecting tasteful and desirable items. However, my love for playing “shop” traces back to my childhood. My mother had a drawer in her bureau filled with beautiful silk square scarves. Occasionally, I would take all the scarves out, carefully iron and fold them, and then arrange them on a table to play shop—complete with a little cash register to ring up the transactions.

Looking back, I marvel at how my mother entrusted me with a hot iron that had the potential to cause severe burns and damage her beloved scarves. The photo below showcases a few scarves from my collection, two of which belonged to my mother and are predominantly green.

Fabrics: A Favorite at Terston

I was honored to welcome Clinton Kelly at Terston as he explored the shops in town while working on an article for Litchfield Magazine. As part of his visit, he inquired about my favorite products in the shop.

I shared that I couldn’t choose just one item, but that my favorite items to buy for the shop revolve around fabrics, and in particular, table linens. I’m drawn to texture and color, and Terston offers a wide range of fabrications crossing all categories, from table linens to apparel. Each piece is selected with care, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, material, and the way fabric can transform everyday moments.

Textiles have a way of adding warmth and character to a space, and I find myself continually inspired by how color and texture work together. Whether it’s a table set for a quiet family meal or a gathering of friends, fabrics help create an atmosphere that feels considered and inviting.

As written in Litchfield Magazine:

“Across the street is Terston, owned by Geraldine Woodruff, where I’m partial to the Hester & Cook paper placemats, an easy way to make an ordinary meal feel special. Geraldine’s favorite things to sell revolve around fabric. ‘I’m drawn to texture and color,’ she says. ‘Our table linens are hand block-printed in India, each one a small work of art.’ When she shops in Kent, she heads right back to House of Books. ‘I can’t imagine Kent without a bookshop,’ she says, ‘or me without a book always close at hand.’”