Celebrating 30 years, Steven Fox specializes in precious estate jewels as well as rare gemstones in his own personal designs. Fox has a passion for gemstones with character. This vintage 11.50-carat elongated diamond was cut by the renowned Royal Asscher Diamond Company in the Netherlands during the turn of the 20th century and is being set in his atelier.
A platinum and diamond Art Deco bracelet from the house of Udall & Ballou, circa 1930, is inspected and prepared for restoration. Greenwich, 203-629-3303, stevenfoxjewelry.com.
Potter Frances Palmer has been making ceramics since 1987. “I love the process of changing ideas into forms,” she says. New to her collection and made for the Neue Galerie in Manhattan are these cups thrown in white earthenware, then finished with a green glaze trailed to form stripes. Weston, 203-227-7204, neuegalerie.org, francespalmerpottery.com.
Susan Schneider has turned a passion for vintage wallpapers, old prints and books into custom lampshades, night-lights and other decorative accessories. She shops the globe looking for artisans who make marble paper and then transforms it into functional art for the home. Deep River, 860-510-3167, shandells.com.
A fourth-generation artisan with a lifetime passion for furniture, Gregory Clark uses the best of New World techniques combined with artisanal methods, such as dovetails, mortised joinery and hand-rubbed finishes to produce his custom line. The Thayer buffet features ziricote wood with walnut interiors, absolute black granite top and steel-front drawers with a blackened patina. Wilton, 203-515-1122, gregoryclarkcustom.com.
For owners Darin Ronning and Travis Messinger, it starts with wet clay that is wedged, rolled, dried and cut, dried again, fired, glazed and fired again—all in a studio in Bantam. From there, squares, of course, but also “shaped” tiles and even animal tiles, are designed and hand-carved by local artist Karen Hiebert. Diamonds truly is art as the floor. Bantam, 860-361-9306, bantamtileworks.com.
Jewelry that evokes a deep emotion is how this husband-and-wife team describe the wearable art they create and sell at their boutique. Unexpected materials and a fresh mix of stones have made Sorab & Roshi’s designs stand apart. This link bracelet in purple-heart wood and rose gold is simply stunning. Greenwich, 203-869-5800, sorabandroshi.com.
In 1978, one woman who believed in the discipline of doing things by hand began to sketch patterns, dye fibers and let nimble fingers work their art on a loom to create artful statements under foot. These rugs are beloved for their simplicity and richness. From the Master Series, left to right: Noves in Moorish; Private Reserve Bolja II in brown; Rustral in persimmon.Norwalk, 203-831-9435, elizabetheakins.com.
Kyra and Robertson Hartnett are the husband-and-wife team behind Twenty2, a collection of wallpapers that is modern, colorful and edgy. Inspired by the things around them, Bianca began as a photo of a favorite tree then was manipulated into a repeat pattern and digitally produced with water-based inks on pearlescent paper. It is available in four colors, like First Blush (shown at right). Litchfield, 888-222-3036, twenty2.net.
A former graphic designer and RISD graduate, Denyse Schmidt has been sewing since she was a young girl. Her quilts are known for their simple graphics, rich colors and workmanship. Monolith, from her new Works Collection, has an industrial chic vibe and is pieced to order in her studio. Bridgeport, 203-335-2719, dsquilts.com.
Contemporary basket maker Kari Lonning has been known for her double-walled constructions and complex weaving process since 1975. Her work is now in the White House Craft Collection. She dyes reeds in her kitchen; she dries the baskets in her greenhouse. The baskets boast graphic patterns in both bold and subtle color schemes. Winter Sun is a favorite. Ridgefield, karilonning.com.
Ben Wolff makes pottery based on his own vision and designs using the methods learned at his at his father’s company, Guy Wolff (featured in CTC&G’s June 2005 issue). Pots are made using a wide selection of clays, glazes and finishes and are each personally signed on the bottom. Witness Woodville in sand color clay with whitewash. Goshen, 860-480-7765, benwolffpottery.com.
What began with the restoration of boats in San Francisco Bay has moved east and blossomed into a custom design workshop. At his eponymous studio, Kevin Cross applies decorative painting, including gilding, to interior furnishings. He also restores antique pieces. His artistry is evident in this Neoclassical six-legged table painted in a stone color finish. Redding, 203-938-9818, kevincrossstudio.com.
The combination of ancient techniques with modern methods defines Faye Kim’s work. Working in pliable and rich 22K gold, the results are simple, modern, timeless and eminently wearable, like the hand-woven Alexandria bracelet, with granulation detail on toggle closure. Westport, 203-226-3511, fayekimdesigns.com.