A Providence designer turned a tiny, dilapidated 1800s house into a nautically inspired New England haven.
Christie Matheson
Lew French is part stonemason, part artist, part magician. He hand-selects each stone used in his structures to make sure they fit perfectly.
1. Rich Granite State maple syrup is an especially pretty present when it’s encased in a glass maple leaf or folia bottle ($13.95 each/8.45 oz). Fuller’s Sugarhouse, Lancaster, NH. 603-788-2719; fullerssugarhouse.com 2. These delicate oils ($10 each/ 10 oz.) are infused with mushrooms for six to eight weeks, and the result is earthy and savory. […]
1. Bulgaria native Boyan Moskov has been working in ceramics since 1987 and creating pottery in the Granite State since 2007. His circle platter ($100) and circle and orange bowls ($30-$100) are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Boyan Pottery, Contoocook, NH. 603-219-3732; boyanstudio.com 2. Cottage Home’s “Cottage Round End Table” ($335) can be custom-finished in an array […]
Design
Island Inspired Decor
Want to keep that summer vibe going all year long? Fine art and home goods from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard evoke an off-the-mainland feeling in any season. 1.Unloading the Boat, an oil-on-wood-panel seascape by Traeger di Pietro($900), depicts a working fisherman in a beautiful setting. Traeger di Pietro, Vineyard Haven, MA. 617-828-9867; traegerdipietro.com 2. Jennifer […]
1. The “Erban” (from $2,200) is a lightweight, comfortable commuter bike made from bamboo, a renewable resource with excellent vibration-dampening qualities. (See “Artisan Profile,” opposite.) Erba Cycles, Boston, MA. 617-466-9893; erbacycles.com 2. Kaleidoscopes by Chesnik Scopes, including small signet ($264), large pedestal ($310), and cadet interchangeable ($196) models, are renowned for their two- and four-wheel […]
Local artisans keep used goods out of the landfills by turning reclaimed materials into beautiful pieces for the home. 1. Woodworker Scott Bradford, manager of the recycling center in Peterborough, New Hampshire, salvages boards, discarded hardware, and other materials to create one-of-a-kind birdhouses like this one ($115). Available at New England Everyday Goods, Peterborough, NH. […]
1 Simon Pearce’s substantial “Brookfield” bowl ($90-$125) goes from oven to table and works for mixing, baking, or serving. Simon Pearce, Windsor, VT. 800-774-5277; simonpearce.com 2 Cara Taylor creates her porcelain “Seam Series” bottles ($16-$24) using the slip-casting process. Taylor Ceramics, Northampton, MA. etsy.com/shop/taylorceramics 3 Rob Cartelli crafts elegant yet sturdy porcelain bowls ($28 and […]
Magazine
New England Craft Fair Gifts
New England’s holiday craft fairs are a stellar source of beautifully designed wares–and unforgettable gifts. Exploring a craft fair is like embarking on a treasure hunt in which the reward is a happy pile of perfectly chosen, quirky, unique gifts. At the best fairs, these gems are practically guaranteed. Here we’ve unearthed striking pieces of […]
Northwestern Connecticut’s quiet beauty has long drawn some of the region’s most creative artisans. There we found a concentration of contemporary furniture makers and potters (and one rug visionary) crafting simple-yet-sophisticated pieces for the home. 1. Get Back, Inc. When Tim Byrne, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and the designer and owner of Get Back […]
Though one could easily describe the handcrafted children’s clothing Mary-Alice Dalton produces as art , she’d prefer not to think of it that way. “My work is meant to be worn every day, by an active child, and I design and construct every piece with that in mind,” says the founder of Belmont, New Hampshire-based […]
New England artisans craft beautiful (and durable) baby and toddler gear. 1. Designer Mary-Alice Dalton applies couture-quality details to her “Victoria Rose” dress ($145 and up) and coordinating “Shaped Brim” hat ($48). For more on Mary-Alice Dalton, see “Artisan Spotlight,” opposite. Children’s Couture, Belmont, NH. 603-524-8801; madcouture.com 2. “Natural ABC Blocks” ($98 for a set […]