Cool for CraftsRhode Island: With the Rhode Island School of Design churning out talent and the craze for crafts nearing fever pitch, it’s no surprise that Providence has become a style source. Onetime pop-up shop Craftland has morphed into a gallery/store/school hybrid showcasing the works of more than 80 artists, many of them offering workshops. Heir broadcasts an altogether edgier vibe: what proprietor Tyler Doran calls his “indie rock” take on antiques. Irreverent items for sale include a stuffed owl with wings spread wide and hand-cast silver vertebrae cuff links by RISD grad Vayshalee Naran. And visit the new, larger Queen of Hearts location for girls-just-wanna-have-fun dresses by emerging designers, vintage cowboy boots and clutches, cool sunglasses, and a new makeup line. Craftland, 235 Westminster Street, Providence, 401-272-4285, http://craftlandshop.com; Heir, 231 Westminster Street, Providence, 401-331-5680, http://heirantiques.com; Queen of Hearts, 222 Westminster Street, Providence, 401-421-1471, http://queenofheartsprovidence.com
Summer Travel: Shopping
Down East DecoratingMaine: Designer/hotelier Dianne Haas blends contemporary urban sensibilities with a decidedly coastal Maine vibe in Bridge House Design, her newly refurbished B & B/home furnishings store in South Bristol. In the space, which is set up like a living room (with the addition of a cafe counter left over from when it was an ice cream parlor), you can peruse the library of magazines and books or sit on the deck and just watch the boats go by. Of course, all the furnishings, art, and accessories are for sale – even the plants. For more Maine style, Walpole Barn, a 15-minute drive up the peninsula, is an old post-and-beam barn transformed into a shop by Deb and Warren Storch. Wares include Swan’s Island blankets, hand-woven rugs by local Sara Hotchkiss, and puzzles. In case shopping makes you hungry, there are wines and cheeses, plus Wiley Point oysters fresh from the farm, a half mile away. Bridge House Design, 2118 Route 129, South Bristol, 207-644-1478, http://bridgehousemaine.com; Walpole Barn, 135 Route 129, Walpole, 207-563-7050, http://thewalpolebarn.com
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