Two Saratoga Living Insiders Launch The Saratoga Set
Danna Dubno of PaperDolls and Ann Murphy of Love It Designs are teaming up to offer custom event design services, just in time for the holidays. PLUS: Omakase pics, Saratoga in Forbes and more.
This story is part of a series in which we feature the work of Saratoga Living Insiders, members of a club that receive monthly perks around town, discounts to Saratoga Living parties, exclusive members-only events, and a direct line to the editors of the magazine. Sound like something you want in on? Join us!
If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Saratogians love a party. But when it comes to setting the mood by way of tablescaping and décor, we’re often limited to the plates, napkins and vases we have stashed away in a closet. That’s no longer the case, thanks to The Saratoga Set, a new event design business that redefines what’s possible for your next event. I caught up with co-owners Ann Murphy and Danna Dubno to find out more.
SLAH: Ann, tell me about yourself and how you wound up here.
AM: I spent more than 20 years in healthcare as a pediatric nurse practitioner. This year I decided to leave healthcare and pursue another passion of mine: home design. I launched Love It Designs in September 2024. I specialize in home staging and interior design, and also enjoy staging inventory for retail stores. I foster a budget-friendly business model and enjoy helping clients revamp their spaces into something they love.
SLAH: Danna, what about you?
DD: I spent more than 25 years in corporate event design, planning and delivery. In 2020 I decided I needed a change of pace, and to really be able to flex my creativity muscle. PaperDolls of Saratoga, a store I was fond of, was up for sale, and before that year was over, I was the new owner! My years of project management are quite useful with helping couples design their wedding stationery—I make sure the designs reflect their vision, write and edit text, and make sure everything is done on schedule and on budget.
SLAH: How'd you meet, and how'd you decide to begin collaborating?
DD: We met when I reached out to Ann to help revamp the displays in PaperDolls. She did a great job, and we found we had so much in common.We just organically recognized working together would help us both achieve what we were hoping to with our businesses. In addition to our synergy, we also have complementary skills as well—I’m a writer and an idea person, while Ann has incredible artistic flair and fantastic energy in terms of making ideas a reality. We also have fun, and hope our clients do as well!
SLAH: Tell me about The Saratoga Set.
DD: The Saratoga Set was created to help make entertaining exciting again, as we take on some of the responsibilities of throwing a successful event. We have a vast inventory of décor and table-setting items, and can set up your space as anything from an English garden tea party to a night in Tuscany. What we can’t provide from our inventory we source on your behalf. Our design fee includes use of all our décor, set-up and tear-down, and coordination of any rental or hospitality services you need for your event. You can contact either of us to set up a consultation at PaperDolls of Saratoga on Broadway, or we can come to you.
SLAH: Will anything change at PaperDolls?
DD: PaperDolls has historically been a stationery store offering custom design services. It will also now serve as the home of The Saratoga Set, as well as carry home décor and hospitality items reflective of the Love It Designs style, and serve as a showcase for the Love It Designs look and feel. Ann is also available by appointment at the store for home and business interior design consultations, while I still handle PaperDolls’ custom work. We are both available to discuss The Saratoga Set anytime!
SLAH: You mentioned to me that you were excited about carrying Rebecca Ray products. What’s so special about that brand in particular?
DD: Rebecca Ray items are bench-made in the USA, a feature we are both passionate about. The spirit of the brand is very reflective of the Saratoga equestrian aesthetic, and we’re beyond thrilled to introduce Saratoga to this special brand. Offerings will include home and décor items, stationery and small personal accessories including clutches and bracelets. We are aiming to host a Rebecca Ray trunk show the first week in December at a local restaurant. Stay tuned to our social media for more info!
SLAH: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
DD: We look forward to what the future holds as we embark on this new journey together. We feel strongly about supporting our local community, and truly care about Saratoga. We look forward to greeting customers old and new at 454 Broadway, within the Saratoga Marketplace. Please follow us on social media, and thank you for supporting our local businesses!
—Natalie
Quote of the Week
“I love aliens. Well, I guess I can’t say that since I’ve never met them.”
—Overheard in Milton
In the News
This week, Saratoga’s food scene got some national recognition when Forbes published an article blandly titled Discover The Rich Flavors of Upstate New York Across Saratoga Springs. In the story, writer Jared Ranahan highlights some of the top restaurants in the area—15 Church, Whitman Brewing Company, Olde Bryan Inn, The Wishing Well among them—by relaying information he surely found via a few quick Google searches. Sure, those restaurants are certainly worthy of media attention, regardless of how flavorless the write-ups about them are, but if you want a real look at Saratoga’s food scene, pick up the fall issue of Saratoga Living.
See? Food.
In other foodie news, Omakase Sushi and Grill officially opened its doors this week (despite not yet having its liquor license). SLAH Editor at Large Dan Graham (obviously) went, and took these great photos. “Great experience and almost too much fun with Chef Billy on only their second night,” Dan wrote on Instagram. “Highly recommend doing the full omakase experience at the counter and letting them take care of you.”
Positive Signals
A pair of Saratoga podcasts just won big at the Signal Awards, an annual event that recognizes excellence in podcasting. Heather Straughter’s A Place of Yes went home with a second-place finish in the Self-Improvement and Self-Help category, and Kristi Wagner’s The Other 3 Years won gold in Athletes Shaping Culture and bronze in Documentary (Sports). Both are produced by Bright Sighted Media.
Whiskey Business
There’s less than a week until Saratoga Living and First Fill Spirits’ 4th annual Whiskey Night in Saratoga, returning to Putnam Place at 6:30pm on Wednesday. Attendees will get a welcome canned cocktail, dinner by West Ave Pizza and Chicken, and samples of five bourbons and American Whiskeys. VIP ticket-holders will go home with a bottle of James E. Pepper 1776 Bottled in Bond Kentucky Bourbon and a First Fill Spirits–branded snifter glass. Get your tickets now.
Chicken Out
Speaking of Saratoga’s West Ave Chicken, owner Mario Cardenas has opened a second location at MVP Arena in Albany. “We cook for the celebrities when they perform at SPAC,” Cardenas says, “but now we can do it at MVP, too.” And it’s not just A-listers and MVP patrons who will benefit from West Ave’s new digs—the restaurant is open to the public Monday-Friday from 7am-8pm and Saturday from 7am-2pm.
Season Greetings
This week, Opera Saratoga announced the lineup for its 2025 season, which will take place from May 20-June 29. “This summer’s festival will transport audiences around the world for two sensational classics which give young singers a chance to shine and two new operas which challenge audiences’ notions of what opera means today,” says Opera Saratoga General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum. “We’ll go on an exhilarating, romantic journey from Saratoga Springs and back again.”
The opera company will return to Universal Preservation Hall for its performances of the hilarious social critique La Vie Parisienne, jewel-box musical She Loves Me and work in progress A Mass for Women in Bathrooms, and will take over the Ferndell Pavilion in Saratoga Spa State Park for performances of site-specific installation In a Grove. Read more about each of the productions on operasaratoga.org.
Bestie for the Restie
Election day may have come and gone, but there’s still plenty of time to vote in this year’s Capital Region Living Bestie Awards! One of the area’s oldest “best of” awards, the Besties cover all aspects of Capital Region life, from our favorite people and places to where to get the best food and drink. Head over to crlmag.com to cast your ballot—there are plenty of opportunities to vote for Saratoga businesses!—and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Capital Region restaurant gift card. A new winner will be selected every week until voting ends on December 31.
ICYMI
A Tale of Two Saratoga Legends