Designers take to the road.

Furniture by Sebastian Carpenter Design
I love how the round feet contrast with the
straight edges of this chair and ottoman set,
which are dressed in a new-to-the-line geometric
print and trimmed in chocolate brown velvet.

I had the opportunity to get a sneek peak at this warmly modern furniture vignette that was set up over the weekend at the home of architect/furniture designer Sebastian Carpenter. These pieces (including the very cool sculptural green wall) will go on the road to the Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show being held in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend from Friday, October 23rd to Sunday, October 25th at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Admission is only $10 to view over 100 American artists showing and selling handcrafted furniture, accessories, fine art and craft. Get a chance to see a wide variety of pieces – from traditional to contemporary – and talk to the designers themselves, just like I did (I love to hear the stories behind the design process). Here is what I saw this weekend:

Sebastian’s pieces are strongly influenced by his architectural training along with an inherited artistic eye (see my previous post from June ’09).

He strives to create furnishings that honor the use of natural resources. Many of his techniques, like the rich patina achieved by actually burning the wood of the sofa frame as seen above, employ unique methods to create aesthetic pieces in a “green” way.

His lamps, with shades from Blanche P. Field, are elegantly sturdy and would certainly fit in the back of most cars if you are lucky enough to make it to Rhode Island to see the show. These pieces are also available through the Boston Design Center or contact SCD directly to plan in advance for your next fine furnishing purchase.

These always make me smile ...
a pair of Pony Cubes from SCD.

Also at the show (among other exhibits) will be some incredible work presented by students that are currently enrolled in 3 furniture making programs throughout New England (one being at Rhode Island School of Design). I always wonder if my life would have been different if I had gone to RISD when given the chance way back when. Perhaps one of my boys has inherited my artistic talent and will take that route (although to be fair, BC was very good to me!) Either way, I guess my husband and I should start saving ...

“Mom and me” by Ben, age 5


As for me, this weekend I will be in Reading, MA for
the opening of my friend Beth’s new design shop:



Check out her new website and blog (which I designed for her) and be sure to stop by some weekend to see the great stuff that she has put together. She has taken antique paper (that she has been collecting for years) and has combined it in the most amazing ways to create jewelry and home decorating items that are simply inspiring. Beth will also be offering fresh floral arrangements “to-go” along with vintage treasures. Her shop already feels very “Beth” to me. I find that I feel more creative just being around her!


This week, I will be helping with some prep work on the display areas in the shop for the Trunk Shows that will showcase guest designers over the nine weekends that the studio is open. As I have mentioned, design items from my collections will be on display in the store (thanks, Beth!). These pieces have been my own personal field of dreams (if you build it, they will come). In my case, if you are compelled to create art out of fabric and wallpaper, a store will magically appear to sell them!

From my “Best Friends” collection.


Items like these are looking for a good home ...
come check them out for a limited time at:


Beth Hylan Design Studio
159 Ash Street, Reading, MA
Open Saturdays from 10 am – 5 pm
Sundays from 12 noon – 5 pm
Call 781.246.8552 for more info.


PS...
If you stop by the store, please sign my
guest book if I am not around to say hi!