Kitchen Tour Week: Day Two

Wenham Museum Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour 2012

A white picket fence adorned with little creatures posing as finials, is a sly hint of what can be found behind the vivid green door on this sunny yellow home. This was our second stop on the kitchen tour, and we could tell that the interior was going to be just as joyful.  

Once inside, we were greeted by the homeowner, artist and designer, Robin Sears. Entering her kitchen is like walking into the pages of a beautifully illustrated story book. Her artist’s hand is evident on cabinets and tiles and ceramics.  

With it’s Big Chill appliances and checkered linoleum floor it is a nostalgically whimsical space that speaks of a time when the pace of life was a little slower.

Wooden counter tops gleam beneath yellow mixers. A circus train transports vintage Steiffs along the ceiling. 

Garden furniture beckons visitors to sit for a spell. Plates are from a collection Robin designed and painted.

The family bunny is part of the visual fun, tucked beneath the custom-designed window seat.

Inside and out, this truly is a happy home!

Read more about it on Robin’s blog.

Dancing Rabbit Designs

{photo borrowed from the Wenham Museum Facebook album}

A painterly tablescape created by Robin Sears
of Dancing Rabbit Designs was displayed at last year’s
North Shore Design Show: Tablescapes

“I believe that good design combines function and beauty and has the power to transform and bring joy.”
-Robin Sears of Dancing Rabbit Designs

Recently my sister and I took a class on how to paint wine glasses held at TaggArt Studio. I made a set of four glasses, one for each of my four sons, marked with their first initials (I imagine serving whip cream-topped desserts in them or something “fancy” like water with lemons : ) The hardest part of the artistic process for most of us in the class was coming up with a pattern for the design. While I chose initials, my sister chose a dash and dot pattern, another chose hearts with stripes, and the teacher, Mary, effortlessly combined swirling vines with initials on her set of six. This exercise in creating functional works of art reminded me of one of last year’s participants at the Wenham Museum North Shore Design Show.

Robin Sears of Dancing Rabbit Designs created
this showstopping spring table inspired by nature
and one of her (and my) favorite little creatures ...


A painting Robin did featuring one of her bunnies.
It is titled: Leaping Josephine

Confectionery colored silk drapery panels serve as a
pretty backdrop to this spring dinner party for six.

Robin specializes in one-of-a-kind custom hand-painted furniture and accessories. She works very closely with her clients to produce works of art with a personal touch. I love how she added cheerful whimsy to this very traditional table and chair set. Her pieces have been featured in magazines including Traditional Home, Victoria, Gourmet and Bon Appetit, and they have been sold through retailers like Horchow and Bloomingdales.





See these and more on Robin’s blog: Dancing Rabbit

I expect there to be lots of visual treats like the above space of Robin’s at this years design show (May 15th through the 22nd). Tickets are $15 in advance or
$20 at the door. Contact the Wenham Museum to
get yours. Look for me there, along with some decorative bunnies of my own!