Hubbardton Forge Lighting – Coming Soon!

June 11, 2015June 2, 2017 Peggy Farabaugh

Last updated on June 2nd, 2017 at 04:10 pm

Hubbardton Forge | Lighting Fixtures | Modern American Blacksmiths — I love this picture of George Chandler and Reed Hampton, the founders of Hubbardton Forge, Vermont’s 40 year old handcrafted lighting manufacturer. The two men met serendipitously in Paul Aschenbach’s art class at the University of Vermont. How funny that George’s last name means candle maker!

Next stop on my tour of Vermont’s luxury home decor providers is lighting manufacturer, Hubbardton Forge. If you’ve had to buy or install lighting fixtures over the last few decades you’re no doubt aware that most lighting is manufactured in Asia these days and the quality isn’t what it used to be.

Enter Hubbardton Forge of Castleton. The company was established in 1974 by two guys in a barn who set out to revive the forgotten craft of hand-forging raw metal into contemporary designs. Today the business started by George Chandler and Reed Hampton is one of the largest contemporary commercial forges in America. Forty years of practicing time honored principles have built an international reputation for innovative designs, simplicity and integrity.

During my visit to the forge I met with Art Director, Wendy Fannin to show her what we’re doing at Stonehurst and discuss possible strategies to cross-promote our products. Both companies share a passion for simple elegance, traditional craftsmanship and a commitment to environmental stewardship so it seems some synergy could be achieved.

At Vermont Woods Studios we’re looking forward to receiving our first order of Hubbardton forge chandeliers, floor lamps, sconces and table lamps very soon and I’m eager to see how they transform our space. They’ll be accompanied by fine furniture from studios all around the state, glassware from Simon Pearce, ceramics from Laura Zindel and hopefully linens from Anichini and furniture/pottery from Shackleton-Thomas.

Keep posted on our latest inventory and/or plan a trip to see everything in person at Stonehurst!

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This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.

Floor Cloths, Made in Vermont by Cameron Howard

December 20, 2014October 23, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on October 23rd, 2018 at 02:37 pm

Floor Cloths | American Made | Cameron Howard — Artist Cameron Howard is passionate about the history and beauty of American floor cloths. Here she’s showing us samples, photos and floor cloths that she’s made for customers all over New England and beyond. We love passionate people!

Dunberry Hill Designs

Vermont’s premier custom floor cloth maker, Cameron Howard of Dunberry Hill Designs visited Vermont Woods Studios Fine Furniture store yesterday. Wow! We learned a lot about the history of this unique piece of Americana and the processes by which these top quality floor cloths are made. Plus we got to see, feel and walk on some extraordinary works of art. Did you know that floor cloths first became popular during the Industrial Revolution when sailing ships were coming into New England’s harbors to be re-fitted? Torn sails would be salvaged by sailors’ wives and re-purposed in the home to keep drafts from blowing through floors and walls. Soon artists began to see the cloths as a canvas and began applying classic American and European designs to them.

Top Quality Custom Floor Cloths

Today’s floor cloths adorn all types of homes, businesses and museums throughout America. The floor coverings are made of heavy weight cotton covered with 5 coats of a special varnish which makes them extremely durable. Artistic designs include historical early American motifs, geometric patterns, French Country style, arts and crafts, mission style and modern designs. Custom designs are a favorite among Cameron’s customers. The artist works with homeowners to make sure floor cloth colors match or accentuate existing decor (such as wall colors, counter tops, fabrics and art work).

Custom Floor Cloths | American Made in VT — *Cameron’s paint samples are sent back and forth to customers to ensure that just the right colors are achieved.*

How To Commission Your Own Unique Floor Cloth

Cameron Howard’s Dunberry Hill Design studio is in Townshend, Vermont. Customers are encouraged to call or email Cameron prior to stopping by. We hope to be getting some floor cloth samples at our furniture and home decor store soon and will keep you posted here on our blog.

About the Artist, Cameron Howard

Cameron Howard is a professional chef who served up her talents to upscale restaurants in New York, Boston, Maine and the Windham Hill Inn in Vermont. Ten years ago she put the culinary pot on the back burner and turned her passion towards weaving. From there, she segued into decorative painting and the world of traditionally handcrafted floorcloths. We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm for Cameron’s work with you at Stonehurst, our home design gallery in Southeastern Vermont.

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Vermont Made Home Decor: Bringing Warmth to Wood Furniture

November 9, 2014February 12, 2018 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on February 12th, 2018 at 10:04 am

Vermont Made Home Decor is the perfect accessory to beautiful, natural wood furniture. While the furniture itself is comfortable and cozy, the home decor adds a layer of chic Vermont style & sophistication.

Vermont is known for its beautiful and unique artistry; from furniture to pottery to glassware, if it’s made in Vermont you can be sure that it is made with quality and elegance. The Vermont made home decor we carry is a representative sampling of some of Vermont’s most esteemed home decor brands– from Simon Pearce glassware to our newest addition of Hubbardton Forge lighting. We are thrilled to bring the best of Vermont Style home decor to the public, in one easy to shop website.

Decorate your entire home with Vermont made home decor for a look that is as eclectic as it is sleek and charming. Start with the custom crafted wood furniture, and complement it with hand blown glass, hand-painted pottery, luxurious linens, and beautifully handcrafted lighting. Each element of Vermont made home decor is unique in it’s style and it’s story, and we are excited to tell you more about them…

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Bring Birds, Bees, Bunnies & Butterflies Into Your Kitchen

July 16, 2014July 14, 2014 Peggy Farabaugh

Specialty Handmade Ceramics: Rooster mugs, plates, bowls, vases by Laura Zindel. USA made in Vermont! — These specialty handmade ceramics are the work of Vermont artist, Laura Zindel. Find original hand-drawn roosters, hares, owls, bees, butterflies and ferns applied to a wide selection of dinnerware. Laura’s original collections are all USA made, right here in Brattleboro. Vermont.

Summer in Vermont is a time to relax and enjoy the natural world around us. Visitors to our home decor showroom at Stonehurst often spend as much time outside in our meadows & woodlands as they do inside the store. Birds, bees, butterflies and bunnies are frequent visitors here, making the Laura Zindel dinnerware that bears their likeness a favorite Stonehurst souvenir.

Handmade ceramics: hare and bunny themed dinnerware — *Laura’s hare and bunny collection includes coffee mugs, tumblers, vases, pitchers, plates and platters. Each image is original and hand drawn by Laura in her Brattleboro, Vermont studio.*

Whether you’re looking to bring a bit of summer into your own kitchen or searching for a unique gift for someone special, check out our Laura Zindel Dinnerware Collection. Each of Laura’s designs is inspired by nature, hand drawn and then printed onto high quality handmade ceramic or china.

Quail Collectibles | Handmade Ceramic Dinnerware Made in USA — *Laura’s Quail Collection features 20 pieces of high resistance china including bread, dinner and charger plates, bowls, platters, espresso cups, jugs, pitchers, tumblers and mugs.*

About Laura

Laura is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where she earned a BFA in Ceramics. Later she went on to achieve an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts. Laura’s artwork is inspired by both the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century and the “Cabinets of Curiosities” encyclopedic collections of the Victorian era. Her process of hand drawing, silk screening and enamel transfer printing shows off the intricate nature of her designs.

Ranging from Bumblebee Cereal Bowls to Large Rooster Serving Platters, Laura’s collections are bound to include the special gift you’ve been looking for. Stop by Stonehurst or purchase one of these collectibles online.

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Table Setting 101: Casual to Fine Dining

October 5, 2013August 15, 2018 Michelle Rooks

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:55 pm

Table Setting Still Sends a Message To Guests

I’m about to out myself as an old-timer. When I was in Junior High most girls took a class called Home Economics. We learned cooking and sewing skills and actually got tested on the proper way to set a table. I have never forgotten the basics of casual dining place setting: Fork on the napkin to the left of the plate, knife and spoon to the right of the plate, with the knife closest and its blade facing the plate. A drinking glass would be above and to the right of the dinner plate. I admit I don’t often practice these skills. In our house we pretty much grab a handful of knives and forks and divvy them up at the table. I picture the Vermont Tavern Table as the perfect place for the family to gather and talk about their day.

If you want to invite a couple of friends to join you for dinner, you may want to kick it up a notch. That brings us to the informal place setting. In addition to the items found in casual dining place setting you may find a bread plate, an additional glass, a salad fork, and possibly a soup spoon. I think the Cherry Moon dining table would be the just the thing for a gathering of close friends.

For a more formal gathering, place setting can be much more involved. There are water and wine glasses and, for truly elegant dinner parties, enough silverware to ready a small army. These can include fish, dinner, salad, cake and cocktail forks, dinner and butter knives, teaspoon, soup and dessert spoons. Add to all of that a charger (a decorative plate slightly larger than a dinner plate), dinner, salad and bread plates and you’re going to need a lot of real estate to hold it all. My choice would be the Vermont-Made Shaker with a boat top. It just gives a vibe of elegance to me.

Place setting has become a bit of an art form. While there are “standard” placements for items, these days you can be much more creative. Add a favor for each guest, create your own napkin rings and place cards or learn napkin folding techniques. Add different levels of candles and some flowers, gourds, or other seasonal items to make an aesthetically pleasing centerpiece. Your table should be a reflection of your own style.

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