Anne Hart and Fritz Mayer are a couple of motivated gardeners.

    In fact, they bought a home in Liberty in 1994 because they "just needed a bigger garden," Hart jokes.

    Their bigger garden makes their former community plot in Hell's Kitchen resemble a window planter.

    Eventually, they sowed enough seeds to sprout a business. In July, the couple opened The Cutting Garden and Domesticities on Route 52 in Youngsville. 

    The building they bought was perfect for what they love; an 1874 two story that what was once a post office and, later, a general store plus a roomy enough plot to grow a massive garden.

   The beds contain more than 100 varieties of flowers and even a few herbs.

    Here, scissor-wielding flower lovers are welcome to browse through the lush garden and snap a few blossoms to create  their own bouquet.  Stems are 25 cents to $1 each.

    "We have a mix of the old standards with some of the more unusual flowers," Hart says.

    Vibrant purple and pink cosmos and striking bold sunflowers are two standouts.

    There are standouts in Domesticities as well.

    The store is stocked with refurbished, rescued furniture, kitchenware from the '30s-'70s, glass vases, quilts and hand-made goods from 20 local artisans.

    Mayer refinishes much of the furniture featured in the store.  Notable pieces include an early 1880s pine hardware cabinet and an oak mission-style desk.

    For two former career-oriented Manhattanites -- Mayer worked for CNN and Hart worked for a high-end home products marketing firm -- this is a  welcome change. 

    "It's nice to have your own business and be surrounded by things you love," Hart says. "It's really enjoyable and gratifying."

    But her favorite perk?

    Having fresh flowers regularly at their home in Liberty.