Issues → October 2006 → Feature Stories →
New England's Finest: Fine Woods
Beyond fall's colorful yield is another treasure from the trees
by Katrina A. Yeager
Artful Arrangements
Balance and harmony are core elements of ikebana, a Japanese style of floral arranging. George Saridakis's ikebana vases capture these characteristics. He uses maple and holly from the Northeast, plus exotic woods from Africa and South America, such as wenge, bubinga, and bloodwood. Pictured here is a holly and ziricote vase ($120). Each vase comes with a metal pin cup into which the flowers are tucked. For a sleek look, choose a vase with its pin cup sitting flush with the wood edge; other models have non-flanged pin cups that stick up above the lip. From Decoratively Sculpted Wood, Groton, Massachusetts. 978-549-1807. saridakis.com
A Lyrical Line
C. H. Becksvoort of New Gloucester, Maine. It's a name synonymous with high-quality Shaker-style furniture. Chris Becksvoort uses the same simplicity of design when making music stands (a little-known line of his). "[They] give pleasure, and I think a lot of musicians do appreciate that, whereas the metal folding ones merely hold the music," Chris says. Each of his six styles is made of cherry; five of them are adjustable to between 43 and 58 inches in overall height (or can be made to a specified height). $1,100-$3,000. 207-926-4608. chbecksvoort.com
Shipbuilder to Dream Builder
Former shipbuilder Brad Story is inspired by the birds of the salt marshes near his studio and home in Essex, Massachusetts. His Aerodreams wood sculptures, many of which are designed to be hung, have a wingspan of 4 to 7 feet. "Most pieces are figurative, representational, and/or realistic -- in the sense that they resemble parts of real birds, insects, or airplanes -- but some seem to be starting to float toward abstraction," Brad says. In other words, each is an opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Want to see more? Five of Brad's sculptures are on display at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts (781-259-8355; decordova.org). Brad is one of 20 artists currently showcased in an exhibition about how artists incorporate animal imagery in their works. Going Ape: Confronting Animals in Contemporary Art runs through January 7. Brad's sculptures begin at $1,000. 978-768-7858. bradstory.com
Let the Light Shine
How's this for amazing? Peter Bloch of New London, New Hampshire, takes 200-pound chunks of local aspen wood and turns them into lampshades up to 20 inches in width that weigh less than a pound. "I actually think they are more durable than almost any other kind of lampshade, because they are hard and flexible," he says. Yet the shades are so thin that they appear translucent when lit. The light also highlights the wood's rich hues and patterns. Peter makes shades for table, floor, and hanging lamps as well as wall sconces, plus bases and finials to match. $900-$2,700. 603-526-6152. woodshades.com
Fine Art That Floats
"Boats are designed to work best in the waters of the designer," says boatbuilder Nick Schade. "The coastline from Long Island Sound all the way up the coast of Maine is wonderful paddling." Our favorite for these waters is his 18-foot Night Heron kayak. It handles well in rough water such as wind chop and boat wake. Nick's strip-built method of constructing the boats accentuates the grain of the wood and creates an artful pattern. Custom-built boats ($5,000-$20,000) by his business, Guillemot Kayaks, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, are typically made of Western red cedar, which has a beautiful color and is lightweight (the Night Heron weighs only 42 pounds). Do-it-yourself kits -- complete with wood, forms, and plans -- are offered by Newfound Woodworks in Bristol, New Hampshire (603-744-6872; newfound.com) for $1,500 to $2,200. 860-659-8847. guillemot-kayaks.com
True Reflections
"Let the wood speak for itself," says designer and woodworker Gary Spykman of Keene, New Hampshire. And so it does in this 21-by-22-inch live-edge mirror ($600). The focal point is the right side of the mirror, edged by a stunning length of English burr oak that shows off the tree's burls. 603-352-5656. spykman.com
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