Beautiful rooms should always have something that is handcrafted.
I’ve written about many of our region’s talented designers, furniture makers, food purveyors and artists in previous columns. Here are a few more.
Driving on Washington Road (Route 47) toward Woodbury, you can’t miss the headquarters of York Street Studio. Stylish tables, chairs, cabinets, even iPod holders are made from a wide selection of materials and finishes. Owners Stephen Piscuskas and Linda Zelenko make custom pieces for designers and a number of retailers, including Duane in TriBeCa. I often source their “thonet” counter and bar stools, as well as zinc-topped tables. Lately, I’ve had my eye on a 19-drawer cabinet for one of my projects. York Street Studio, 661 Washington Rd., Woodbury, (203) 266-9000, yorkstreet.com.
Sometimes the best things come in small boxes. In the case of Bridgewater Chocolate, a navy-blue box cradles a divine combination of toffees, pecan and almond turtles, mint caramels, hazelnut pralines and peanut-butter patties. It’s always exciting and scary to see one of those boxes in our house…for obvious reasons. Bridgewater Chocolate, 559 Federal Rd., Brookfield, (203) 775-2286, bridgewaterchocolate.com.
Several years ago, I was at a Manhattan art gallery and saw the works of Gary Komarin—large, bold, colorful abstract paintings and whimsical works on paper, including many versions of Cakes, Stacked and French Wigs. I ended up bringing home a French Wig painting that day. I met the artist a few days later through my friend Kathy Root in Washington Depot and discovered he lives in Roxbury. It was pure kismet. Gary has work in many art galleries and collections and is an artist to keep track of in Litchfield County. Gary Komarin, Roxbury, (203) 266-4726, komarinstudio.com.
Gallerists David Behnke and Paul Doherty specialize in showing works by local artists. Currently on exhibit: Anne Mallory and Joe Gitterman. After firing, Anne Mallory’s clay sculptures are bound with twisted copper and clamps that once served as lightning-rod grounding wire; visual metaphors for the responsibilities that bind our daily lives. Joe Gitterman’s work is based on movement, action and the human body, shapes forged in bronze and mirrored stainless steel. In April, the gallery will present paintings of Susan Monserud and more bronze sculptures by Gitterman. Behnke Doherty Gallery, 6 Green Hill Rd., Washington Depot, (860) 868-1655, behnkedoherty.com.
A few years ago, I met master glass blower Tim Hochstetter while working on an interior design project in Roxbury. He made three beautiful glass pendant lights for my client. Since then, he has applied his understanding of design and glassmaking to flooring. Epic Flooring creates individually crafted floors by combining specially formulated earth-friendly polymers with recycled glass, metal and semiprecious stones. Each floor is a functional work of art. Epic Flooring, 272 Norfolk Rd., Litchfield, (860) 567-8825, epicflooringsystems.com.