Trent Bell

Memories of summers past inspired the cover story for our July/August issue (in homes and online next week), a whimsical quartet of cabins on Sebago Lake in Maine. The owner attended a girls’ camp on the lake as a child and she conceived a plan to replace an existing cluster of cabins in the woods with modern buildings that are just as charming, but, thanks to technology, more comfortable and flexible. We also visit a one-time artist’s cottage in Lyme, Connecticut, turned Asian-influenced guesthouse, a family’s custom-made summer haven in Rhode Island, and a wondrous vacation home on Block Island that looked to the site, and the expert eye of Boston architect Jeremiah Eck, to embrace the island vantage.

More online: In our digital edition, click on a video extra of our staging of “Selections,” where we use the iconic furniture of Richard Schultz to set high-style outdoor dining scenarios. Then, take a look at our new department, “House Guest,” and find a slideshow of interior designer Liz Caan’s colorful projects.

Pat Hackett

By Regina Cole

After reading about Andy Warhol’s rambling summer house in Montauk, New York, in Jill Connors’s piece on a Rhode Island cottage built in its image (“Pastoral Wharhol,” Design New England, May/June 2013), we had a renewed intrigue in this painter of soup cans and super stars. So we are anxiously anticipating the opening of Andy Warhol: American Icon at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Ogunquit, Maine.

By Rose Mirandi

Design New England contributing editor Bruce Irving delves into New England history every issue with his stories about New England’s architectural icons. For the May/June 2013 issue, “The Resolute Lighthouse” captured his (and, we hope, your) imagination. Of course, a short magazine piece can only scratch the surface of the rich legacy of the nearly 200 regional lighthouses that guided mariners through the centuries. For readers interested in learning more, we suggest Massachusetts Lighthouses: Past & Present by Arthur P. Richmond (Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013, $34.99). The author is a retired educator and photographer from North Eastham, Massachusetts, who has published a dozen books on coastal Massachusetts. Illustrated with aerial views and antique photographs, this 160-page tome explores more than 60 of the prominent seaside structures in the state.

By Loren Savini

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers is giving back, and you can help. The first-ever “Rock-a-thon,” a fund-raiser to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital, starts Friday, June 14, at Thos. Moser’s showroom, 19 Arlington Street. Boston, with an opening reception from 5-8:30 p.m. The event continues through Sunday featuring a demonstration by Warren Shaw, a Thos. Moser craftsman for more than 20 years, who, as a 6-year-old child, had a hole in his heart repaired by the outstanding surgeons at Children’s. Shaw will meticulously construct a new Thos. Moser signature piece — the New Gloucester Rocker (pictured above) — in front of onlookers. A silent auction, which includes donated items such as event tickets, artwork, and restaurant gift certificates, will take place and local author Frances Driscoll will debut and sign copies of her new children’s book, The Swan Boat Ride, all to benefit Children’s.

Shaw’s finished rocker, which all who contribute to the cause can sign, will be donated to The Devon Nicole House, a foundation that provides families a place to stay to be near their children during their stay at the hospital. More information is at thosmoser.com.

The historic Rosecliff mansion’s front lawn was decked out for last year’s Newport Flower Show.

By Loren Savini

Now that summer is almost in full swing, we all want to enjoy the great outdoors. The 18th annual Newport Flower Show is a great place to do just that. Held on the grounds of the historic Rosecliff mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, June 21 through June 23, the show will have an exotic Eastern flair with opulent colors, Asian gardening techniques, and expressive landscape design all lend themselves to this year’s theme — “Jade: Eastern Obsessions.”

Rose Island Light in Newport, Rhode Island, was originally built in 1871 and restored for overnight visitors in the 1980s.

By Courtney Kasianowicz

With summer right around the corner, you, like us, are probably thinking about getting away. For some that means exploring an exotic locale, for others, it is discovering — or rediscovering — the many beautiful spots and/or cultural offerings found right here in New England. A restful retreat on a New Hampshire lake, or a little cottage just steps from an ocean beach can provide the needed change of pace. But for those looking for something more adventurous, an overnight stay in a historic lighthouse in New England holds some allure. As Design New England contributing editor Bruce Irving wrote in his “Icon” column “The Resolute Lighthouse” in our May/June 2013 issue, these maritime beacons are “always signaling — no matter how dark the night or strong the gale.” That’s a message of hope and steadfast loyalty that inspires.

Some of the region’s lighthouses, Rose Island Light in Newport, Rhode Island, in particular, allow guests to stay overnight for a night, a week, or even a month, offering a chance to explore and imagine how life might have been for the hardy keepers of the light.

Farmhouse Pottery founder Zoe Zilian at good boutique in Boston with her line of Hutch+Pantry gift sets.

By Loren Savini

There is nothing quite as magical and charming as rural New England, and Zoe Zilian, founder of Farmhouse Pottery, can help to bring a little bit of that authentic rustic feel to your home with her stoneware pottery and garden-inspired apothecary collection.

Originally from Camden, Maine, Zilian has an appreciation of the region’s vast network of farmers and artisans. She brings a fusion of these New England characteristics to her work, recently available at good boutique in Boston’s Beacon Hill.

The artisans behind this chaise lounge made use of negative space to create modern but comfortable outdoor seating.

By Loren Savini

Gorgeous sideboards and cabinets, classic comb-back Windsor chairs, a contemporary wooden music stand, and handmade jewelry, all the work of students and alumni of North Bennet St. School in Boston’s North End, are on display through May 24 in the lobby at Two International Place in downtown Boston. We previewed the exhibit at the annual evening of traditional craft, a gala event packed with guests and sponsors of the 125-year-old school dedicated to offering hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship.

A champagne bucket from Tina Frey Designs is handmade with resin and accented with leather handles.

By Courtney Kasianowicz

At the Architectural Digest Home Show in New York a few months ago, I was charmed by California designer and artist Tina Frey’s booth. Her pieces, which are also carried by interior designer Liz Caan’s Design Studio & Retail Store in Newton, Massachusetts, and at the gift shop at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, range from bowls and vessels to serving ware and jewelry. All are all made of lightweight resin, which gives the surface an alluring frosty look. Though she often works in bright colors, I covet Frey’s milky white champagne bucket accented with leather handles and know just what bubbly I’d pair it with for a stylish impromptu evening soiree.

Michael J. Lee

A neutral palette makes for harmonious seating areas in the living room, which opens to a study where a bold red grasscloth covered wall attracts attention.

By Estelle Bond Guralnick

From the start, the client who hired Dee Elms and Andrew Terrat of Terrat Elms Interior Design in Boston to help turn a downtown penthouse into a comfortable home for Design New England's May/June 2013 interiors story “In Sync” had his priorities in order. “The views, the art collection, the furnishings are all important, but livability is what really matters,” he says. “Because of its warmth and coziness, this place looks good to me all the time, even with toys strewn about.”

Soon there will be even more toys as he, his fiancée and their 2-year-old daughter are expecting their second child.

Susan Teare

Autumn leaves tumble across the lawn of this “Farmhouse Revival” home designed by Vermont’s Cushman Design Group. The gabled dormers and sturdy columns along the porch elevate the house to gentleman farmer status without taking away from the basic simplicity of the farmhouse inspiration.

By Gail Ravgiala

The region’s rich inventory of architecture and craftsmanship was front and center at our recent Spring Design Salon, “New England Treasures: Innovating with regional materials, heritage, and home design” at Pompanoosuc Mills in downtown Boston. Designer Milford Cushman of Cushman Design Group in Stowe, Vermont, hit on three of the most romantic and quintessential New England building forms: The farmhouse, the barn, and the summer camp.

This entry to a house built by Payne|Bouchier Fine Builders uses an updated take on the classical arch and column motif to create a timeless look.

Now and Future Classics

By Loren Savini

The first definition of classic is “of the first or highest quality, class, or rank.” The last definition is “of or adhering to an established set of artistic or scientific standards or methods.” We think both apply to the examples we saw at our recent Spring Design Salon, where asked our presenters to discuss “Now and Future Classics: Creating designs that will stand the test of time.”

Ceramic planters by Lucy White.

By Jenna Talbott

We always look forward to the annual MassArt Spring Sale, which features original artwork from the college’s students and alumni. This year’s event, in the lobby of the Tower building at 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston, through Saturday May 11, didn’t disappoint. There’s lots to see — and buy at very reasonable prices. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the show.

Spotting the sweet little planters shaped like baby heads by Lucy White, a senior in the ceramics program, I immediately began to imagine all the things I could grow in them. I chose a pair of glazed white pots with green interiors to add to my kitchen windowsill collection of white objects.

Christian Pleva

The showroom of Boston’s Circle Furniture was filled for our Design Salon on using color and texture indoors and out.

By Gail Ravgiala and Courtney Kasianowicz

This season our semiannual Design Salon Series has taken us from Belmont to Brockton to downtown Boston in pursuit of inspiration and a bead on the latest trends and products in home design. We discovered techno advances in outdoor audio-video and lighting options, ways to go green in style, and how to go boldly into color and pattern. But there is still more to learn at our final salon of the series, “Now and Future Classics: Creating designs that will stand the test of time,” on Wednesday May 8 at Shafer O’Neil Interior Design in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Photograph by Joel Benjamin

A checkered skirt mixes with diamonds on the wall at Paris Ceramics. Boston fashion designer Luke Aaron dressed model Kacy Emmett in a crossover top in silk crepe de Chine and a layered organza and taffeta ball skirt.

By Courtney Kasianowicz

It is a design move that may seem reserved only for the brave, but mixing bold patterns and prints has leaped from the elite fashion runway to the home. The trend is showing up in every room, in exterior facades, and even in landscape design, as we demonstrate in our Selections feature in our May/June issue of Design New England.

To inspire us, we turned to Boston fashion designer Luke Aaron, who brought his talent, and luxurious clothing from his Spring/Summer 2013 collection, to the Boston Design Center where we spent the day with photographer Joel Benjamin trying to create the perfect visual to open our fashion-forward Selections. Yes, it took all day to come up with the final shot. In the process, we got plenty of photographs that are way too gorgeous to leave on the cutting room floor.

A rendering of the Ola Bench Diseño Neko of Mexico City, Mexico, designed and constructed for Design Museum Boston’s international Street Seats competition is among the 20 designs that are installed on Boston’s Harborwalk.

By Courtney Kasianowicz

If you’re in Boston this weekend, take a walk along the Fort Point Channel and you’ll notice 20 public benches installed along it. They’re the work of students and design firms who entered their urban seating ideas in an international design competition held by Design Museum Boston, which, with more than 170 submissions, had a panel of judges choose the 20 semi-finalists that received funding for construction. The museum will offer tours of the benches and announce a $5,000 grand prize-winner, a $2,000 runner’s up, a $2,00 people’s choice winner at its free opening celebration Saturday April 27, starting at 1 p.m. The people’s choice will be chosen by the festivity's attendees, and we will post the winners next week.

Leicht is a German brand of sleek, contemporary kitchens and Leicht Boston is among the new showrooms at the Boston Design Center.

By Kelly Anne Clinton

What a lovely way to spend a spring afternoon. After we worked tirelessly on wrapping up our May/June issue, the editorial team at Design New England ventured out to the Boston Design Center’s spring forecast luncheon, which offered details about the BDC’s newest endeavors, both inside its showrooms, and on top of its roof.

Photograph by Jim Westphalen

A contemporary farmhouse compound in rural Vermont and how it satisfies the differing design wishes of a husband and wife is the cover story of our May/June issue (in homes and online next week). In this picture, photographer Jim Westphalen captured the architectural geometry of three structures — main house, garage, and design studio — coming together to form a courtyard. Contributing writer Nancy Humphrey Case reveals the complexity of creating a house that reads like a simple farmstead, but offers modern efficiency and style. Also in this issue, admirers of Andy Warhol will be fascinated by a Rhode Island home inspired by the famous 20th-century Pop artist’s island getaway in Montauk, New York. Then, we explore a lush Connecticut garden that evolved with the expansion of the one-time A-frame house it surrounds and we visit a city penthouse where family and breath-taking views are center stage.

Always on trend, Artefact Home|Garden is constantly weaving in new merchandise, which includes an impressive array of home and garden wares designed and made locally.

By Courtney Kasianowicz

The Design New England Spring Design Salons got off to a great start this week with a capacity crowd at Artefact Home|Garden in Belmont, Massachusetts. The topic was “Fifty Shades of Green,” and the presenters were a wealth of information on the latest in sustainable practices and technology.

We’re on a winning streak! After receiving the news last week of our two Silver Achievement Awards from the Garden Writers Association for photography, our confidence that our garden writing is equally deserving of accolade was confirmed. Contributing writer Carol Stocker won the GWA’s Silver Achievement award in the magazine category for her fascinating story Fantasy & Folly, which ran in Design New England’s September/October 2012 issue. The piece is about Rhode Island garden designer Louis Raymond and his bold landscape work, which involved a berry folly and glass sculptures glowing with gasses, for a couple’s vacation cottage in Connecticut. Stocker begins the article with “Call it a win win win.” Turns out, GWA agrees.