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

Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bach and beyond
The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) of Stockbridge will present a concert by cellist Dane Johansen on June 28 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Provided

The mission statement of the Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) reads: “Our mission is to preserve the cultural legacy of Baroque music for current and future audiences — local, national, and international — by presenting the music of J.S. Bach, his Baroque predecessors, contemporaries, and followers performed by world-class musicians.”

Its mission will once again be fulfilled by presenting a concert featuring Dane Johansen on June 28 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 29 Main Street, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Keep ReadingShow less