An Evening at the Antique and Artisan Center

With 22,000 square feet featuring over 80 of the hottest dealers in America, the Antique & Artisan Center is the anchor for the preeminent local design district in an industrial section of Stamford, CT. I don’t know of anywhere else where there is such a concentrated wealth of so many distinguished dealers in a single venue. Ever changing stylish vignettes from a wide variety of high quality proprietors have made the center a longstanding not-so-secret source for discerning designers, collectors and retail customers in the know. Last week I attended a party celebrating a renewal and refreshening of the popular locale’s brand and web site (still receiving some finishing touches).

antique and artisan centerMedia sponsor CT Cottages & Gardens and a robust crowd of local design savvy clients and dealers came to toast owners Ronald Scinto and Mark Candido (also owners of recently discussed Illumé), who founded the center 15 years ago.

antique and artisan center

From furniture and accessories to lighting, rare books, jewelry and select fashion finds, Antique & Artisan is a treasure trove for all seeking the “chic to unique.” Let me give you a tiny taste of the remarkable offerings. Beau Maas antiques greets you in style at the entrance.

Great Meadows antiques featured a refined mix in neutrals

Jay & Sydelle Livingston’s booth presents chic global finds. I loved this leather and silver butler’s tray table with large ice bucket from Argentina and how much fun are these newly upholstered Louis XV style fauteuil chairs?!

antique and artisan center

Apple Webster Home provided inspiration for a glamorous office with a lovely mirrored parson style console/desk from the ’80s and fabulous oversized vine sculpture.

 Their lucite globe ice bucket was a singular standout.

Screens are a great decorative device and there were several that caught my eye. This lovely vignette at Diane Davis’ booth featured a four panel painted one with art deco metal inserts – simply stunning and so unusual.

antique and artisan center

Acacia Antiques’ six panel screen of Chinese hand painted wallpaper panels is mostly like 19th century and mounted later in the style of Elsie de Wolf.

The booth also featured a charming Chippendale influenced tufted sofa

And for the classicists, a magnificent large Chinese export example

antique and artisan centerSchuyler Field’s booth was like a library dream. Filled with vintage book finds and fabulous furniture and accessories, I wanted to curl right up with one of the volumes.

I loved these chic and versatile black lacquered and brass occasional pieces

Local retail favorite Dovecote, whose store in Westport is a popular destination had a chic vignette. Known for their eclectic mix of eras and styles, their booth was a successful blending of color and texture.

antique and artisan center

Local artist Kerri Rosenthal’s Lights Out sits comfortably over an antique French console.

Besides being exquisitely styled overall, Alison Kinney’s booth had a lust-worthy set of 20th reproductions of an 18th century Noli map of Rome, newly framed.

antique and artisan centerShe also owns another booth with more mid century and eclectic offerings. I loved this pairing of a ’60’s black lacquer neoclassical style chest (one of two) and a large Curtis Jere bronze ’70’s wall sculpture.

antique and artisan center

I didn’t realize that Amy Vischio, the editorial and creative Director of upscale local At Home magazine, was also an artist. She took me by her booth, where she had created a rather nautical themed vignette, under the name Mixit, with her work and a pair of Antonio Pavia chairs, newly upholstered in blue velvet. I think her beautiful mixed media original, “Big Blue” sold that evening – not surprising – it had a fabulous tactile luminosity.

 I also liked this bench in their booth, given a new chic life in black patent.

While many of the booths were of an eclectic nature, some, such as this lovely neoclassical style one were more focussed on a single style.

antique and artisan center

Whether you are looking for major furnishings or that special piece to make your space, put the Antique & Artisan Center on your must visit list. Conveniently located right off of I95 and near the Stamford train station, it is an easily accessible design destination that will satisfy those who love the hunt. But be forewarned, with its constantly changing inspiring vignettes, it’s addictive!

18 thoughts on “An Evening at the Antique and Artisan Center

  1. If I jump in my truck and start driving now I could be there when they open. You make me want to do exactly that this minute….I need to go shopping there its been to long!

    Happy Monday!
    XX
    Debra~

  2. Stacey,
    Would you believe that I have never been there? Crazy, right?!!! You now have me wanting to carve out some time to peruse this amazing resource. And, I’ll be ready to accessorize our space in about a month. Perfect timing!

    Happy Monday!
    xo Elizabeth

  3. Another great post! At the great risk to my wallet, I can’t wait to go visit. Love your choices.

  4. My favorite place to shop! I love this post. I need to get there one of these days.. I see so many treasures.. I hope they all aren’t sold before I get there!
    Ridgely

  5. I wouldn’t know where to start! So many talented designers and the owners are obviously geniuses. I am so happy to see the collection of the sweet Liz, owner of Dovecote Decor. So talented.
    Thank you again, Stacey, for sharing another beauty of a post.
    Happy Monday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  6. WOW! Just like a candy store! Love all the zebra – lots of great finds here. Wonderful photos and thanks for taking us along!

    leslie

  7. OMG, what a wonderful place, Stacey. You are so very fortunate to be in your location with access to everything!! But, this place is awesome, no matter where you live it would be worth a little trip just to see it. xx’s

  8. fyi. also on view for the past decade are the scoped-for collections of beth felicia gorenfeld: founder of funkyfinders.com and carol marks: principal of her firm. beth felicia is known by fashion houses and private clientele as the go-to-girl for never used designer and artisan vintage purses, accessories, as well as signed bohemian and runway jewels. carol remains one of the best sources for scarce make-a-statement jewels, noteworthy for holidays, birthdays, events, as well as day and night-wear. inquiries and/or wish lists welcome via contacting the antique & artisan center: 203 327 6022.

  9. What a great look at The Antique + Artisan Center. I can’t believe I’ve never been. I adore the Lucite Globe Ice Bucket – it’s perfect. The kind of thing you might find at Dovecote’s Westport store. Wonderful screens, too! Thanks for the great tour, Stacey. A definite on my next trip down to CT! ox

  10. You make me envious that it’s located near you..and not by me! Fab items! Thanks for taking us “shopping” with you.

  11. AS A DEALER FOR 16 YEARS AT THE ARTISAN CENTER, I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE WHO READS THIS BLOG TO KNOW THAT WE ARE A DIVERSE CENTER. WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WE HAVE APPROX 25 SHOWCASE FILLED WITH GREAT VINTAGE ITEMS. WE HAVE TIFFANY ART GLASS-PORCELAINS-SIGNED STEMWARE-QUALITY CRYSTAL-STERLING ITEMS-COSTUME JEWELRY-VINTAGE HANDBAGES-14KT-18KT FINE JEWELRY AND MANY MORE GREAT COLLECTABLE AND GIFT ITEMS. THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE ANTIQUE & ARTISAN CENTER THE BEST IN STAMFORD CT. COME IN AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.

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