FRESHLY MADE is an annual group exhibition featuring independently driven work of the summer interns and designers at Studio DUNN. Hosted by Keeseh Studio Woodshop and the 42 Rice Street Gallery in Providence, this year’s theme, Out On a Limb represented the afterwork hours, personal initiative, and fresh ideas put forth by Topher Gent, Kate Golden, Steven Greco, Andrew Mau, Beth Soucy, Coby Unger and Emily Woratzeck. We had a wonderful attendance of friends, faculty, and family. Studio DUNN would like to thank the interns (who are featured below) for a wonderful and productive summer! We enjoyed every minute with you guys!

(In clockwise order beginning with the top left image)

ELIZABETH SOUCY
In addition to an uncanny ability to keep dying bonfires ablaze, Beth excels at continually offering fresh ideas, juggling family time throughout Southern New England and earning a Brown University / Rhode Island School of Design dual degree! (How does she do it?!) If you are keen to chat about the environment and design, you can find her at Bagel Gourmet Olé or relaxing in her apartment on historic Benefit Street, where she designed her ‘gahgess’ (gorgeous) collection of furniture inspired by her trip to Brussels.

CHRISTOPHER GENT
Known for his artist vs. designer vs. maker conflict, we were delighted to uncover (on our surprise orientation day bowling excursion) Topher’s history as a competitive bowler. Topher occupied his hot summer days at Studio DUNN, executing commissioned work, and monitoring at the Providence Steelyard. McDonalds in hand and sporting his Rhode Island vanity plate ‘TOPHR,’ this robin-hood-type character loves slow-roasting marshmallows to perfection. He graciously reminds everyone that there’s nothing better than a good s’more.

KATE GOLDEN
If Kate isn’t bombing hills on her bi-cycled beaut, she’s daydreaming about dovetails or sitting blissfully in windsor chairs. Our tablesaw-loving, embroidery gypsy, not only claims to know every city in the state of NY, of which she originates, but secretly lives her daily life aspiring to be the greatest computer modeler in North America. Known to some of us as “The golden girl,” Kate is dedicated to her work, and will not rest until she has achieved the goals she has set out to achieve.

COBY UNGER
“Again!?” You may exclaim, as you remember Coby as one of last summer’s interns. Half intern, half businessman – this summer, Coby was learning more design and fabrication with Studio DUNN and simultaneously developing, making, marketing, and selling his own line of wood sunglasses under the name ‘Arborglass.’ It seems he’s mildly obsessed with us (and pumpkin pie), and we admittedly can’t deny our feelings either.

-Andrew

Andy Beers of Ore Studios

A few months ago Andy Beers came knocking at Studio DUNN’s door (literally) to request a Cumberland Lamp for Om Kids Yoga Studio – a beautiful space immediately next door to our previous studio in Pawtucket, RI. Ornamented with spectacular glasses, Andy wasted no time introducing himself to us all. The photos, provided by Andy, were taken for issue 4 of Rue Magazine featuring his beautiful home and the office of Ore Studios.

The binary design team Andy Beers and Cara Scarola, who started Ore Studios, attribute their success to uncontrollable mind reading skills and complementing aesthetics. After studying Interior Architecture at the University of Oregon, the dynamic duo went separate ways – only to realize that they missed working together. Though Cara is based in Santa Fe, NM, and Andy in Providence, RI, they communicate as if they share an office. Their two locations provide them with a diverse clientele that span the USA. Genious!

Andy often finds himself designing interiors that combine vintage and modern furniture. He explains it’s difficult to find contemporary pieces that mix seamlessly with vintage items, rather than contrast them. He’s found that our furniture works great in projects like these. “Knowing who made it,”Andy reassures me, is the best part of Studio Dunn, secondly“it’s scale,” referring to the petite Rhode Island Collection. Andy also follows up about how great it is that Studio Dunn exists locally.

A culinary wizard at home, Andy’s momentous design day finales with some kitchen magic for his 1-year-old son, Henry. While loving the Providence life style, I wondered where Andy would choose to live if he wasn’t in Rhode Island. His response, “the Pacific Northwest,” wasn’t hard to believe (though I was hoping he would say something extravagant like Brazil or Monaco). Raised in Seattle, Andy still loves microbreweries, fresh produce, and vintage/modern furniture.

Featured in the beautiful images above are Studio DUNN’s Coventry Stool and Barrington Chair.

-Andrew

Summer Girls

These adorable little ladies are the daughters of our friends who live in Bristol, RI. Andrew and I got to spend a morning just before the 4th of July hanging out with these cute kids. After our photo shoot was done, we drove through Bristol and saw the multitude of patriotic decorations offered by this historic town. If you are in RI next 4th, I recommend a drive through! Also, watch out for these sisters, as they may make a future appearance on our splash page!

-Emily

Studio Dunn introduces the Heiress Collection – Inspired by the richness of American heritage. Thoughtfully designed and finely crafted in Rhode Island.

The Heiress Collection – Inspired by the richness of American heritage, its tradition of invention, and its resulting prosperity. Studio Dunn aspires to unite the best qualities of industry and luxury – drawing insight from the American Industrial Revolution which began over 200 years ago in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and the more widely known Rhode Island city of Newport, populated by those who had prospered from industry, commerce, and trade. Hence Heiress – the beneficiary of both hard work and the lavish lifestyle.

The pieces are aptly names after heiresses of Rhode Island – Tessie Chair, Doris Dining Table, Alletta Mirror, and the Gloria Side Table.

Studio Dunn focuses on the use of honest materials and traditional construction techniques intending for their designs to be experienced and enjoyed. The studio uses domestic hardwoods from sustainable forests and adopts an overall conscious approach of designing and manufacturing. By reusing materials and minimizing waste, Studio Dunn benefits the environment without compromising the integrity of its designs.

The Heiress Collection, will be unveiled at the 2011 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, May 14th-17th.

Celebrate the warm colors of Fall with the Limited Edition Autumn Amber Cumberland Pendant Lamps. http://studiodunn.com/collections/cumberland-lamps/

A pure and simple abstraction of a classic lamp form. This design is hand blown by experienced artisans using traditional glass working methods in a hot glass studio also known as a ‘hot shop’. After the glass cools the piece is hand worked with wet grinding wheels and the electrical parts installed. Cumberland emits pleasant ambient light which illuminates the beauty of the handmade design and its surroundings. Candelabra socket rated up to 75W/125V, includes 10 feet of cord, additional cord length available, for canopy details see ‘View Product Specs’ below. All electrical components are UL-recognized. Slight color variations and small bubbles are part of the hand blown process. Recommended for indoor use only. Ships within the USA and Canada.

Hand-Crafted to your Measurements.

Did you know that DUNN offers custom capabilities? That’s right!
We love the excitement of designing and building custom furniture.

Whether it’s moving into a new home, or simply looking to fill that specific spot, putting a twist on one of our existing designs will turn that piece into something that’s unique to your home.

As always, we are thrilled to be offering well-constructed, American-made furnishings. For quotes or questions regarding customization, please drop us a line, or send us an email at info@studiodunn.com

DUNN at the Fine Furnishing Show in Providence

Founded in 1996, the Fine Furnishing Show is a show for art lovers, fine craft collectors, interior designers, and architects. Today the show takes place in three cities – Providence, Baltimore, and Milwaukee. DUNN will be showing work with Keeseh Studio at the Providence show taking place October 22nd – 24th, 2010 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Hall A. You can visit us and see our work in person!

Show Hours: Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5
Ticket Prices: Adults $10, any 2 days $15

http://www.finefurnishingsshow.com/

We believe that it’s all in the details – the details are what makes your home.
A beautiful fresh flower can complete a room — as can lighting or a small piece of furniture. Using functional objects as accents gives a room sophistication.

The Coventry Stool is a beautiful accent for every room. Whether it’s used as a stool, an end table to a sofa, or a bedside table, the simplicity and warmth of the Coventry Stool makes it the perfect accent. Using hand craftsmanship and modern machining DUNN gives this contemporary design its chic appeal. Made from American hardwoods with your choice of Walnut, Cherry, or Maple,

Illuminate your life with the Cumberland Lamps! Hanging overhead or sitting upright on a table, this Cumberland lighting brings a welcoming glow to your environment. Available in Smoke Grey for a modern industrial look or Opal White for a soft ambient look — the Cumberland Lamp is hand blown by our local glass artist.

Accent your space with the elegant Quonset Dishes. Great as dishes, small serving platter, coin dish, and whatever else you can imagine. Each dish is hand made and hand glazed by our local ceramist. Available in white – food safe and stackable!

The Kingstown Barstools are derived from DUNN’s popular Coventry Stool. The new barstools are available in two heights, 30 inches and 24 inches, each size can be made in the three finishes of Walnut, Cherry, or Maple.

Adopting a conscious use of materials, DUNN approaches design and manufacturing with minimization of waste, reuse of materials, and benefiting the environment without compromising the integrity of the designs. DUNN works with a variety of materials though focuses primarily in the area of woodwork. The studio uses locally sourced solid American hardwoods from sustainable forests. These are managed forests that replant the timber that is used to continue the cycle of life, minimizing the impact on the environment. Continue Reading →

Who are the Studio Dunn summer interns? This week we’ve been introducing you to them – and last but not least is Steven Greco…

Shop junkie and mechanical pencil advocate Steven Greco spends his summer dreaming of hoagies and his love, (in) Philadelphia. His hand-painted cutout plywood power ranger collection shows dedication and creativity as a youngster, which would mature into employment at the oldest country club in the United States. Entering his final year at RISD in industrial design, we push ourselves to entertain his request for extensive fabrication know-how. Our curly haired, Benefit street dwelling intern pedals himself to work sporting tropical button-down shirts and a smile bigger than Rhode Island!