It takes a person with a background in
fashion to create a store as chic and interesting as Westport's
Dovecote. Filled with unusual antiques, transitional furniture and
fabrics and attention-stealing accessories, the interior design and
lifestyle store speaks to the moment while preparing us for what's coming just around the bend.
Owned by Sarah Kaplan, a former buyer
for Barneys New York, Dovecote has been in business for nearly five
years. Kaplan's creative director is Corey Tippin, who acts as
advisor and is responsible for the store's visuals.
Tippin is a natural with a colorful background: He was a makeup
artist who was part of Andy Warhol's fashion entourage, and then went
on to develop and style projects for Martha Stewart's books,
television shows and magazine. Kaplan and Tippin share the same aesthetic sensibility and design radar.
On a recent morning, the design duo
took CTC&G to two of their favorite stores to shop for vintage
industrial and modern pieces-two of the hottest trends in interior
design.
The first stop was at the industrial
purveyor Get Back in Oakville. Located in a circa 1800's mill, the
shop, which is open by appointment only, carries furniture and
accessories that owner Tim Byrne has created by refurbishing vintage
American machine parts. Byrne keeps a low profile; even locating his
shop on the first visit can be an
effort. The mill, an interlocking series of three buildings,
meanders, and it's front door is questionable. If you follow the logo
on the small exterior sign -its "G" has an arrow pointing
left incorporated into it-you'll end up on the loading dock. The
search is entirely worth the effort though.
Kaplan and Tippin first spot a 1920's
walnut topped table with a refurbished cast iron industrial base. It
is surrounded by a set of vintage school chairs made of bent plywood
and metal. Tippin would arrange the table and chairs in a home office
or informal dining area. "I would keep the chairs with it."
says Tippin. "They give the piece an elementary school feeling
that is both endearing and comforting."
They next look at an unusual cast iron
floor lamp with two adjustable arms that was designed by a dentist
who had difficulty seeing inside the mouths of his patients. Tippin
envisions mating it with two contemporary club chairs and a simple,
glass topped table in a room with a large lacquered book case lined
with an antiqued mirror. "Or you could go the traditional
route," says Tippin. "It would look equally handsome
between two leather chairs and a small side table. It would add
interest to a classic his-and-her vignette."
On of the highlights of Byrne's current
collection is a large, glass topped adjustable dining table with a
handsome 1920's crank and wood base. Tipping envisions it surrounded
by simple wood benches and two upholstered Berger chairs. "It
needs something sensual and soft to counter the wood, glass and
metal," he says. "I'd hang an interesting chandelier above
it, but I wouldn't add additional furniture, window treatments or a
rung. A sparse space is what a table this interesting needs."
(Get Back, 27 Main St., Suite 4, Oakville, 860-274-9991,
www.getbackinc.com)