A few of our favorite makers of locally crafted toys around New England … Jim Jefferson (Knockabout Toys) Searsmont, ME. 207-975-1452; knockabouttoys.com. Specializing in wooden trucks and tractors; custom designs, too. Tom Seal (Bearded Seal Woodcrafts) Cranston, RI. 401-648-6945; beardedsealwoodcrafts.com. Signature toy is the “Thoroughbred Rocking Horse.” Brad Kelley (Wallingford Toy Works) Wallingford, VT. woodenpuzzle.com. […]
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 […]
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 […]
1. Stone artist Lew French carefully chooses every rock that goes into his rustic yet awe-inspiring fireplaces (priced per project). Lew French — Stone By Design, Edgartown, MA. lewfrenchstone.com 2. Hand-poured votives ($4-$8), tapers ($18), sconces ($15-$18), pillars ($15-$90), and shaped candles such as this large pear ($12) are made from nontoxic beeswax and emit […]
After the lights of the holiday season have been put away, we still face several snowy, frigid months that are sure to be short on sunshine and long on darkness. But that can be a good thing, especially if your home radiates welcoming luminescence from within. This is the time for hand-dipped candles in soft, […]
When we first heard about Fetchstix, the initial question that came to mind was: “Is this an example of Yankee ingenuity or a sign of the apocalypse?” Wagatha’s, a small company in Manchester Center, Vermont, that produces organic dog biscuits, has started selling bundles of maple sticks as boutique dog toys for $12.95 a pop, […]
A collection of images celebrating Luminary Night, a community fundraiser in Wellesley, Massachusetts, from photographer Steven Vote.
Summertime … and the living is easy, on a porch outfitted with simple luxuries in a fresh palette. From pillows to planters — find out where to get the best accessories for your outdoor spaces. 1. Vintage cotton feedbag fabric can be transformed into modern home accessories, such as these one-of-a-kind pillows ($185). Hudson, Wellesley, […]
1. Toting goodies in a handcrafted wooden bike basket (from $33) leaves your hands free to signal and steer. Peterboro Basket Company, Peterborough, NH. 603-924-3861; peterborobasket.com 2. The 070 ($79.99), New Balance’s first eco-friendly shoe, features recycled materials and reduced-waste design. New Balance, Boston, MA. 617-783-4000; newbalance.com 3. Cruise in style on a vintage–or vintage-looking–bicycle […]
1, 2. Stash umbrellas near the door in Ameico’s “Ivy” stand ($240); pens, pencils, and other implements are at home in a quirky “Pen Pen” pen and pencil holder ($23). Ameico, New Milford, CT 888-350-8765; ameico.com 3. Hang coats and bags on a pretty pine Shaker pegboard ($27.50-$65 assembled and finished; DIY and finished cherry […]
At some point, if you are skier/rider, you are going to need to give someone a ski house gift. I love this one. Artist Kristen Anderson of Crested Butte, Colorado, creates light switch plates using vintage ski posters. For New England fans, she sells switch plates for Mad River Glen, Cannon, Ski New Hampshire, Ski […]
1. Notch whiskey ($888) is for serious connoisseurs–and they’ll be grateful forever. Triple Eight Distillery, Nantucket, MA. 508-325-5929; ciscobrewers.com 2, 6. The hand-blown Ascutney whiskey glass ($55) or Hampton pilsner glass ($48) makes any drink special. Simon Pearce, Windsor, VT. 800-774-5277; simonpearce.com 3. Have one on the rocks: Vermont-milled soapstone “Whisky Stones” ($20 set of […]
