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Artisan Picks for Your Home, Patio, and Travel

A new breed of makers is creating elevated home goods rich in tradition and ingenuity.

Written by:Bosie Crawford
A woman picking cotton.
A man welding a piece of artwork.
A man creating a piece of craftsmanship.

America has a long history of fine craftsmanship—and of placing value on using local materials for thoughtful designs. Now, no matter where you live, it’s easier than ever to find unique “local” home goods that showcase the best of American creativity, like the furnishings and accents we’re highlighting here. Take a closer look and you’ll find inspiring makers from all over this great country, working to put a fresh spin on vernacular styles. A metalworker in Charleston, South Carolina, translates a centuries-old blacksmithing practice for modern use, by substituting lighter carbon steel for classic cast iron; a Phoenix couple brings space-age style to an outdoor fireplace design; generations of the same family have grown the cotton for the minimalist-chic textiles they create today. These craftspeople may hail from different states and cities, they may take different approaches to material and manufacturing, but they all share the same enterprising spirit. And it’s a spirit you can bring to your own home, as you create your own unique American style.

Carving Station

Wren + Cooper specializes in crafting fine, contemporary hardwood pieces—following in the longtime furniture-making traditions of their home in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. So even though this Geometric Fluted Mirror offers a copper sheen, it is made of thick, solid maple into which deep fluting is carved before its metallic finish is applied.

 

Finish Line

Because each lamp is handcrafted in their Upstate New York studio, Stone and Sawyer cannot offer all of their signature finishes at any given time. Nevertheless, you’ll have a wide variety to choose from when it comes to pieces like this hilo lamp, shown here in delicious custom brûlee.

 

Plush Life

Founded with the goal of preserving American manufacturing and design, Schoolhouse goes midcentury with this Jack Chair in Windowpane Plaid. It’s a faithful reproduction of a classic—from its wood frame to its plush upholstery—discovered while antiquing.

 

Detroit Sound

In 2011, Shinola set out to bring more high-quality manufacturing to Detroit. This led to them creating watches and fine leather goods, like this Shinola Sibley Large Satchel, which is roomy enough to fit a 15-inch laptop and offers handles and a shoulder strap, both adjustable.

 

 

Store Stylishly

Wüd is the creation of Brooklyn couple Corey and Keren Springer. When not raising their children, they’re crafting furniture like this Jasper Dresser in brown white oak—its metal and resin accents make sure the piece offers style as well as storage.

 

Sustainable Sophisticate

The Urban Electric Co. has set itself a tall order—fusing elevated design and craftsmanship to create a product that is sustainable. The results include this timeless Jennifer Wall sconce, with its tulip-shaped cup cradling a pillow of softly glowing glass.

Cambria design shown: Clare™

Hot Stuff

Inspired by American blacksmith designs of centuries past and designed in collaboration with a renowned Charleston, South Carolina blacksmith, each piece of the Carbon Steel Forged Farmhouse Set from Smithey is handcrafted in the USA. Both the skillet and roasters offer performance that rivals cast iron but are lighter in weight; they are sure to become go-to cooking tools.

 

Handy Holder

These White Ash Baskets from Schoolhouse are not merely handmade in the USA, but they are also primarily constructed from Appalachian Ash harvested in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Hardy and handsome, the baskets come in handy for everything from loading up laundry to tidying up toys.

 

Name’s Mudd

Designer and ceramist Katie Mudd is based in Portland, Oregon. She makes each of her pieces by hand and focuses on sourcing materials from small, local businesses in the Pacific Northwest to ensure that her products—such as this Natural Stoneware Hanging Planter—are long-lasting, high quality, and have a reduced carbon footprint.

 

Fire Buds

Modfire founders Brandon Williams and Marty Young may have grown up in Chicago, but today they craft their unique fireplaces in Phoenix. With design that nods to futuristic 1960s rocketships and industrial-age smokestacks, the Modfire would be a perfect fit in the home of the Jetsons. This model is available in either wood-burning or propane, but the company offers six others, ranging from petite to robust.

 

Mood Indigo

With its timeless pattern of blues and grays available in dimensions up to 9 feet by 12 feet, the Alden-Medallion Slate Blue Woven Area Rug by Capel can add a touch of American-made class to rooms of various sizes.

 

Mixed Media

Though the solid-wood panels that make up its body are classic Wren + Cooper, this Fluted Chair sports a plethora of materials. The rear cushion—with its down-filled bolster—wraps over the back and attaches with straps. Meanwhile, saddle leather covers the armrests, and the base is made of lacquered steel with handmade solid-brass feet.

 

Observed Curve

Brooklynite Virginia Sin’s work has been featured from fab museums to acclaimed restaurants, and now her Doline Vase—in Speckled and Terracotta—can appear on your windowsill. The shape is inspired by the town of Matera in southern Italy, where life blooms in cave-like homes around winding roads.

 

Family Farmed

The farm that produces the cotton batting of Red Land Cotton’s Ticking Stripe Classic Quilt has been in the Yeager family for three generations. Manufactured in Waco, Texas, the quilts are lightweight, durable, and easily laundered in a home washing machine. The beautifully simple print is charcoal stripe on natural background.

 

Cache Carry

Duluth Pack has been proudly made in the USA since 1882. The Weekender Duffel makes a perfect carry-along bag, whether you’re heading out to the country or leaving on a jet plane. With rugged canvas, reinforced leather, and padded handle, this duffel bag is sure to handle easily and appear effortless.

 

Square Route

Why use carpet made of tiles? Because it’s completely customizable for any size room, and when the time comes, it’s easier to replace one worn tile than a whole floor. These Flor Tiles—in a design called Gatsby that’s an apt name for their Art Deco look—are shown here in Spice/Gold, but are also available in other colorways, including Flint/Gold, Bone/Silver, and Turquoise/Silver.

 

Last Stop

Grow House Grow prints its wallpaper in New York, but to inspire the fluffy flora of this St. Helena print, the company looked across the Atlantic—to the historic home-in-exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. In fact, this colorway was named for the Longwood House, where he spent his final days.

Safety Dance

Keep sensitive surfaces safe in style with a little help from this Hex Trivet Set In Gris from Slash Objects. In addition to feeling good about not ruining your dining room table, you can feel good about the fact that they are made in the USA of post-consumer recycled rubber. Wash with soapy water and pat dry.

 

See Through

When it comes to a glass-topped coffee table, everything ends up on display. Fortunately, the negative space is all part of the design when it comes to Croft House Palmas Coffee Table (OVL), which is made in Los Angeles—all the way down to the unusual tongue-depressor-like curves of its sturdy industrial steel legs.

 

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