A Few of My Favorite Things: Creative Women Textiles

When I arrive at the showroom, located in a repurposed mill on the banks of the Winooski River in Burlington, the founder and powerhouse behind Creative Women, Ellen Dorsch, is navigating the intricacies of expressing idioms in a foreign language while testing the limitations of Google Translate as she communicates via email with a new resource in Morocco.

 Hatch Hand Towels

Now in her 11th year of business, Ellen started Creative Women to make a difference in the lives of women in developing nations.

Ribs Bath Towels 

Working with small producers of natural fiber textiles in Africa - all women-owned businesses - Ellen's designs are hand-woven into beautiful, high quality table and bath linens. The collaborations create increasing numbers of jobs for women whose opportunities would otherwise be very limited.

Hatch Napkins and Tablecloth

Having been a devoted customer for the last a few years, meeting Ellen in person quickly revealed the secret to the ongoing appeal of Creative Women. Her vivacious presence, her love of adventure and a passionate commitment to the underlying purpose of her enterprise is immediately evident. 

Block Silk and Cotton Throws

Speaking of her recent forays into the souks of Marrakesh, on her own and unaccompanied by a guide, Ellen's ability to move through a foreign environment with ease and make local connections that cultivate fair and mutually beneficial trading partnerships is a key to her success. The end result is the offering of an exquisite selection of truly unique, limited production accessories.

Dots Beach Blankets

During my visit I was granted a sneak peek at the samples for some absolutely fabulous pillows that will debut later this year. Stay tuned!

Asmara Stripes Cotton Scarves

To see more Creative Women products visit the website here; to shop Creative Women online or find a store near you click here.

Vermont Farm Table

Doing research for a current project I found an exceptional Vermont furniture maker whose work and shop I want to share with you. Yesterday I drove to Burlington where Vermont Farm Table is housed in a stunning, historic brick building steps from the city's downtown marketplace.

I was looking for a dining table ~ which the company handcrafts of the highest quality materials, with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, and finishes with environmentally friendly oils ~ and I needed custom work. What I found exceeded my expectations.

A seemingly endless array of options is available - size, finish, and the choice of a variety of kiln dried American hardwoods or locally reclaimed historic materials from New England and Canada.

The style of the base is also up to you; they have 13 standard base designs to choose from and also offer custom design consultations.

The hidden, interior workings of extending tables are as beautiful as the surface finishes. Built by hand and constructed to last a lifetime, these are future heirlooms.

In addition, the company produces benches, side and occasional tables and small kitchen goods ~ solid-wood rolling pins, cutting boards and utensils.

Vermont Farm Table is planning on launching a new line of kitchen goods late this summer. Here is the 'final round' of muddler designs that should be in the shop by mid-June. Photos of additional works in progress and new projects can seen on the company tumblr blog, Made in Vermont.

photo credit: Vermont Farm Table

To accompany their dining tables, the Vermont Farm Table shop showcases these handcrafted, authentically reproduced Windsor Chairs made in Rhode Island by Warren Chair Works. Here the traditional design features a stylish Contemporary update and is so comfortable one will be lingering at the table.

Also currently in the store one can find the work of other Vermont artisans including these fantastic wood bowls by Edward Lincoln of Pine Street Turnings.

And the beautiful textiles of Creative Women. I left with a pair of gorgeous hand towels for the guest bath.

Vermont Farm Table is located at 206 College Street in Burlington; if you can't stop by in person, visit the website to read about the history of the company, get detailed information, and see additional photographs of their work.

Let Me Introduce You: Zoe Zilian of Farmhouse Pottery

Spring has come very late to Vermont this year but with recent warmer weather and rain the dormant landscape is finally showing signs of green. I find myself coming out of my own winter hibernation and on discovering the work of a talented local artisan, felt inspiration stirring and wanted to share a fabulous find with you.

From its early history, Vermont has been a magnet for creative people. Inspired by the landscape's abundant natural beauty, the Green Mountain State's verdant hills and sparkling river valleys have been enticing artists of every school to settle and work in its picturesque hamlets.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting one such individual, Zoe Zilian, the designer and visionary behind Farmhouse Pottery. Zoe and her artist husband met in college where they formed a creative collaboration that grew with their relationship. Shortly after getting married in 2003 they founded a high-end lighting company which met with great success following their first showing at Atlanta's Home and Gift Market.

Within a few years they left the city to pursue a pastoral lifestyle in the charming community of Woodstock, Vermont. Even as their family grew, the pair's creative collaboration never ceased as the couple made time for projects that began as self-fulfillment and eventually grew into the Farmhouse Pottery line.

Initially selling their handcrafted pottery - durable American stoneware - at regional farmer's markets, the collection grew to include local farm products, bath and beauty treatments, and candles, all available in Zoe's online shop. And, in addition to the skincare products available on her website, Zoe crafts the seasonal signature treatments used in the luxury spas at the Woodstock Inn and the Stowe Mountain Lodge.

As the business expanded, Zoe stayed true to her vision of creating "lasting, generational pieces," that she describes as "authentic work, inspired by the rural Vermont landscape, the outdoors and nature." That is Zoe below, photographing the 'pantry bowl.'

It is an ideal drawn from her family's own chosen lifestyle,

And as Zoe says, "The inspiration keeps growing."

all photography and styling by Zoe Zilian, ©Farmhouse Pottery

To see the full line of pottery, home accessories, gifts and Vermont farm products visit Zoe's website: Farmhouse Pottery. For Boston area friends, Good at 133 Charles Street will be hosting a Farmhouse Pottery trunk show on Thursday, May 16 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please stop by.

Words To Decorate By

"People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers." - Rose Tarlow in The Private House

London's Antiques and Textiles Fair

A few weeks ago I learned about London's Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair from Karin at La Pouyette. Fortunately, the event coincided with my trip to England last week and Karin emailed me an invitation. The show is known to be an excellent resource of painted Swedish and Gustavian furniture. Held in Battersea Park, the location is easy to access as shuttle service is provided from Sloane Square. Following are a few favorite sightings.

This Swedish blue painted Bureau Bookcase, circa 1770, from The Blanchard Collective.

Dealers Bie Baert, based in Belgium, and Odette Welvaars, based in The Netherlands, told me they were exhibiting at the fair for the first time. They shared a stunning booth that had several outstanding pieces including these 18th-century green Swedish chairs.

The French Country Living Antiques space was a feast for the eyes.

Several things from Victoria Harvey caught my eye: this Swedish painted desk,

This set of chairs and the huge bookcase behind them,

 And this serpentine chest of drawers with a gorgeous patina.

One of my favorite exhibiting shops was Maison Artefact. The long narrow, dining table in the center was fabulous. (Antique rocking horses were plentiful, I saw several examples throughout the fair.)

This secretary might have been my favorite piece in the booth.

Another standout exhibitor was Appley Hoare Antiques.

They had loads of beautiful, antique glass.

I loved these 20th-century Swedish dining chairs.

And I am becoming obsessed with deep-dyed monogrammed linens.

I think they would be gorgeous combined with these 19th-century French Gien plates (a set of 78!) on the Maison Artefact table.

A few things that figured prominently in several booths: intaglios - these from Julian Carr Linford who has a shop in Portobello Road,

Herbaria - this extensive folio from Gaby van Schagen who is based in The Netherlands,

And green enamel, industrial pendant lights - these from Fontaine are circa 1930.

Katharine Pole had some of the most beautiful antique textiles I have seen. She had a few pillows on display and stacks of beautiful pieces ready for one's own creations.

And Puckhaber Decorative Antiques had the most beautiful collection of French and Italian chairs. This circa 1820 Empire, not quite matched pair, have been scraped to their original paint.

The finish on these Italian, circa 1880 arm chairs is original.

I think this 19th-century French Empire style chair upholstered in grey linen is perfection.

Another fabulous booth was Martin D. Johnson Antiques. While its offerings were somewhat similar to my other favorites, it stood out with a fresh, youthful feeling.

A charming feature of the fair is that it is 'dog friendly.' I saw a number of visitors with dogs in tow and several exhibitors had dogs, of all sizes, in their booths - usually curled up on a priceless looking chair.