West Cornwall design studio gives space a soul

West Cornwall design studio gives space a soul

Macaire + Kristoph Estate Furniture & Studio in West Cornwall, Connecticut. Featuring artwork by Tom Goldenberg, Don Bracken, James Rosenquist, Marthe Keller, Peter Cusack, Cathy Halloran.

Provided

CORNWALL — Well known for its covered bridge, West Cornwall has a vibrant art scene bubbling just below the surface.

With spreads of local meat, vegetables, and freshly baked bread at the Local, and the opening of fine dining establishment the Pink House, the village is more colorful than ever. The Wish House, Michael Trapp Antiques, and Ian Ingersoll Cabinetmakers offer a diverse selection of handmade textiles and furniture by craftsmen of the community.

Artists, however, can be hesitant to promote themselves. Liz Macaire and Simon Kristoph urge talent into the open, knocking on studio doors to discover hidden creators and masterpieces.

Macaire and Kristoph acquired the West Cornwall location of Macaire + Kristoph Estate Furniture & Studio on July 1 and opened four days later. Their original store in Cornwall Bridge is still open, but the new showroom has more space to experiment with fresh arrangements of contrasting art and furniture: modern and vintage, reasonable and expensive, simple and elaborate.

Today, amid the clutter of mass market consumerism, people ache for individuality. They want to learn about the history of products they buy and understand their value beyond basic function. Handpicked by Macaire and Kristoph, each item in their store is unique in both origin and design. “Retail for us is about physical interaction and inspiring people,” said Kristoph. He and Macaire work to help customers curate their living spaces meaningfully and intentionally.

The two designers spend their lives matching things with other things. They believe art and charity go hand-in-hand and are both integral to any community. On June 14, they put on the Arty Party at the White Hart in Salisbury, showcasing the work of 30 local artists. The event raised money and awareness for East Mountain House, which aids individuals in the process of aging and preparing for the end of life. The Arty Party embraced this taboo subject in celebration, with attendance of 700 people, and is set to become an annual tradition.

In the future, Macaire and Kristoph hope to draw crowds directly to West Cornwall. “How can we keep that momentum going with curiosity and discovery and get people to get in their car and travel 10 minutes up the road,” said Macaire. They envision their store as a hub for creativity: hosting events to highlight individual local artists, movie nights in appreciation of art from different time periods, and a town wide block party under the covered bridge.

Latest News

Classifieds - July 24, 2025

Automobiles For Sale

2004 Lexus ES 330 Sedan: Runs but needs some work. 176K miles. $2000. Call 860-435-0905 Leave message.
Services Offered
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.

Pets

LABRADOR ORPHAN wanted: as companion for RESCUE MIX (5 years). Sharon. 407-620-7777.


Keep ReadingShow less
Smiles, bright lights shine at Canaan Summer Nights

Guests of the carnival at Bunny McGuire Park had a wide variety of rides to choose from, including a classic merry-go-round.

Photo by Simon Markow

NORTH CANAAN — Four days of festivities concluded Saturday, July 19, with the grand finale of Canaan Summer Nights.

The carnival first arrived at Bunny McGuire Park on Wednesday, kicking off North Canaan Event Committee’s new vision for summer activities in town.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millions in funding awarded to help conservation groups preserve open space

Supported by a $250,000 LEAP grant in late June, the 5,200-acre acquisition of a permanent conservation easement by the Kent-based Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy protects the land surrounding the Colebrook Reservoir, the state’s largest remaining untapped drinking water reservoir.

Photo by Debra A. Aleksinas

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) announced July 15 that the state is awarding $14.3 million in Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) grants to protect 2,270 acres across 22 towns.

The grants, administered to land conservation groups by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), include five properties in the Northwest Connecticut towns of Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury and Sharon, encompassing more than 400 acres with awards totaling more than $3 million.

Keep ReadingShow less