Merry Christmas!

Big thanks to our super talented friend Kim Tyler for taking this fun family photo and to Maureen Quintin for her Photoshop expertise. I plan to share more of Kim's beautiful work with you in the new year.

The Ritacco's Lighthearted Home

Written in chalk above the bathroom door are the words, “Artistry + Function + Simplicity = This Home.” It’s a fitting mission statement for Jill and Dan Ritacco’s small Rhode Island cape, which was gutted and revitalized by the couple themselves. From the drywall to the furnishings, Dan and Jill have built most of what you see in their 1200-square-foot home. Jill, an artist who studied printmaking and painting, and Dan, a wooden boat builder, aptly call their personal style “we can make anything.”

When the couple was house hunting three years ago, their priority was to live in a good school district, but their budget was tight. “We felt that we could make any house our own, so the architecture was not all that important. This house simply met our price and location needs,” says Jill. While it was hard for most people to see past the dilapidated kitchen, knotty pine wall panels, and blue shag carpet, Jill and Dan were thrilled to find that it had a good roof, septic system, siding and insulation. “This allowed us to make it our own because the inside needed some serious TLC,” Jill explains.

One of the first things you see when you enter the house is an illuminated handmade sign that reads “Make Taccos.” Leftover from Dan’s 30th birthday party, which featured a taco bar, and a play on their last name, the sign sets the tone for the humor and artistry you will find throughout this happy abode. Painted jellyfish swim up hallway walls, polka dots decorate Taavi’s tiny bedroom nook, and a mural covers the entire kitchen ceiling.

With a can-do attitude and plenty of talent between the two of them, Dan and Jill have tackled the making of their home with a true DIY spirit and a whole lot of lighthearted fun. The house is filled with homemade furniture: bed frames, a kitchen table with bench seating, an island with a bicycle wheel holding pots and pans underneath. Thanks to Dan’s clever use of built-in storage and space-saving solutions throughout the house – a skill honed through years of building wooden boats – everything is tucked away neatly on shelves and carved into nooks and crannies. And it helps that they also try to live simply: “We are always trying to live with less. The house looks cleaner that way. We are not big fans of spending time cleaning,” Jill explains, “We like to play instead!” In the Ritacco home, artistry + function + simplicity = happiness.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque.

You can read more about Dan and Jill's style and see their full Apartment Therapy House Tour HERE.

Artisan Trunk Show at The Studio

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas at The Studio! Here's a little peek at some of the hand-crafted items you'll find if you join us at the Artisan Trunk Show Sunday.

Below are owner Mitsi Dupre's handmade earrings, Instagram-inspired bags and lovely felt head pieces:

In addition to the ceramic bowls and buoys she makes, Kristen Coates, co-owner of Egg + Dart, will have a selection of hand-crafted items from her store: Michel Dugree's porcelain vases cast from Ball jars and milk bottles, organic soaps from Farmaesthetics and Etta + Billie, flower bulbs beautifully packaged in metal pails, ornaments – including charming peephole boxes – made by Newport artist Chris Wyllie, and paper so gorgeous it's worthy of framing.

Melissa Bourassa's intricately crafted hair accessories:

Zoe Steele's felt crowns and charming children's aprons:

My textile-covered canvases:

This is just a taste of what we'll have. I hope to see you there!

Jon & Cara's 1940's-Themed Wedding Celebration

Jon and Cara Hall followed up their intimate Spring wedding with a Fall 1940's-themed celebration at Fort Adams. The history buffs were delighted to see that nearly all of their guests came dressed for the era. There were fedoras, fascinators, victory rolls and even a guest dressed as Rosie the Riveter. It was a perfect evening; mild temperatures and an incredible sunset added to the merriment. Enjoy the photos from this adorable duo's unique celebration:

The Providence-based Generations Barbershop Quartet entertained guests as they sipped on Sloe Gin Fizzes, the signature cocktail for the evening.

Thanks to hair stylist Melanie Watson of The Vintage Ginger Snaps and makeup artist Andrea at Archbeauty, Cara looked like an old Hollywood movie star. The lovely figure-flattering dress, from Stop Staring, was just perfect for the occasion.

Jon and Cara take in the view from the rooftop of Fort Adams in the very spot where Cara surprised Jon on his 40th birthday with a private dinner for two. The fort has been a special place for the couple since that evening, when Cara also surprised Jon with a delivery of 40 Harbor Bars, one of his favorite childhood treats.

Cara is clearly a girl who love surprises. Jon was stunned when she serenaded him with a sweet and sassy version of Billie Holiday's "Them There Eyes." I was impressed to find out that she only took a couple of voice lessons to prepare. She sounded fantastic, evidenced by the excitement of their guests.

Jennifer and David Clancy's Post and Beam Glass Studio

As you approach David and Jennifer’s studio, a classic early American style post and beam barn, there is evidence of their sense of humor and inherent artistry everywhere you look. After driving past scenic marshland and cattle grazing in seaside pastures, a sign that reads “Glass Blowing,” perched atop a beautifully welded sculpture that combines rusty metal tools and objects in an unexpected way, lets you know you’re in the right place. The studio is situated on the couple’s pastoral two-acre property, just a stone’s throw away from their restored 1787 colonial home.

Upon arrival, the first thing you notice is a 10-foot work of art that elegantly snakes up an exterior wall of the barn. It’s made up of fish swimming in a stream of hundreds of delicate clear and blue pieces of glass. The outside of the studio is a whimsical sculpture park; giant green and red glass leaves rest casually on a stone wall; a clear glass head and brains lie on a bed of mulch under a tree; a large planter is filled with glass flowers and leaves. Above the sliding barn doors, antique metal letters boldly spell the word BLOW.

The inside of the glass studio is warm in every way. On this particular day, the fall breeze that blows in through the screen door mixes with the heat from the furnace and feels just right. A mellow selection of music — Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison — sets the tone as David and Jennifer work together in a fluid, knowing rhythm.

It’s easy to see how these two could hibernate and thrive in the comfort of this space, every inch of which is an example of their commitment to craftsmanship and creative expression. With the help and expert guidance of millwright Andy Shrake, David built the timber-framed barn using hand tools to create notches and pockets in place of nails. “It went together like an erector set,” David explains. They built the skeleton of the structure over the course of a week. With welding help from Jennifer’s dad and design inspiration from her mentor Art Reed, the Clancys tackled the impressive task of building all of their own glassblowing equipment. All of the cabinets, counters and shelves were handmade by David. Jennifer’s happy and colorful clay mosaic tiles, mixed with glass polka dots and Magic Hat bottle caps, add embellishment.

Although the studio is a big open space — one half is a gallery; the other is a blowing room — the overall feeling is cozy. Whittled and stained tree branches and an impressive collection of antique cast iron and steel objects decorate the barn walls. A collage of drawings, postcards, pictures, and magazine clippings form an inspiration board of sorts in a corner of the shop. A rainbow of color glows from three levels of frosted glass shelving lit from below. A hand-carved wood frame custom-made by David creates a soft balance for this glass display and invites visitors to come in closer and enjoy the fruits of their labor; a labor that has culminated in a dreamlike work environment that celebrates imagination.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque.

You can see the full Apartment Therapy creative workspace tour and read more about the Clancy's glass studio HERE.

Maurice Cheeks and Bear make their PBS debut

It's impossible not to fall in love with Maurice Cheeks and Bear after seeing them perform in the Benny Sizzler video for the song "Rhode Island Dead." These cute canines are so skilled and obedient you'd think they were rescued from the circus. The loveable duo was back in the spotlight again this week when Geoff Adams visited Gail Greenwood and Chil Mott's Middletown home to document them in action for a PBS segment on working dogs that will run after an episode of the cartoon "Martha Speaks," which is about a talking dog. While Chil shot the dogs staging a hospital break scene for Benny Sizzler's next video, Geoff documented the making of the video and I documented all of the documenting for the newspaper. It was a meta moment indeed.

Bear breaks Maurice Cheeks – who can wear a hat better than most humans – out of the hospital.

Now, that's the look of a proud stage mom.

Maurice's mouth is watering just thinking about all of the doggie biscuits stashed inside that IV bag.

I loved all of Gail and Chil's hospital props. I can't wait to see them used in the video.

Bear poses for a beauty shot while taking a break from filming.

Look who made the front page!

Revisiting our summer trip to New Orleans

I've finally had the opportunity to weed through the photos from our summer trip to New Orleans. Here are some highlights:

My dad and stepmom Beth drove to New Orleans from New Iberia to spend the day with us. Our first stop was Brewstock, a neighborhood corner store that carries a full line of beer, wine, coffee, soda and cheese-making products. My dad, quite the coffee aficionado, picked up a coffee roaster. Note that the rocking chair is locked to the building so no one can steal it!

I love the bright colors of Brewstock's pressed tin ceiling and the red door outside.

Look at those bruised-up legs! Our pediatrician tried to make me feel better about it by saying it's a sign of a child who spends a lot of time playing outside.

Our next stop was the coffee shop Velvet, recommended by the guys at Brewstock, on the corner of Arabella and Magazine.  New Orleans has a great coffee culture. It's one of the things I really miss about home. The city's love affair with java runs deep. According to the food blog The Plate, New Orleans is said to have had almost 200 coffeehouses in the mid-1800′s. Velvet did not disappoint. I saw later that The Plate included it on their list of the five coolest coffeehouses in the city. Now I'm eager to check out the other four!

Look at that beautiful crema!

While we were sitting outside of Velvet, we ran into my high school friend Jonah Freedman and his daughter Sierra. Turns out he lives in the the neighborhood. It had been years since I'd seen him, so it was a pleasant surprise.

Strolling down Magazine Street on our way to lunch at Gott Gourmet. Their shrimp BLT wrap is divine.

This is what our child looks like after her grandparents spoil her with sugar. She was jumping up and down on the seat.

Sharing gelato with Pawpaw and entertaining Grannie B at Sucre, a sweet little Magazine Street cafe I always visit when I'm home. Their white chocolate lavender hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks on the menu. It sounds sickeningly sweet, but it's not. It's really smooth and delightful. It's perfect for a crisp fall or winter day.

Pure happiness

Enjoying some downtime in Kiki and Dennis' courtyard. They've created such a beautiful little sanctuary back here. It's filled with lush greenery and something lovely to look at in every direction.

No summer trip to New Orleans is complete without a stop at Hansen's for a snowball. Hansen's Sno-Bliz was started by Ernest and Mary Hansen in 1939 and is now owned and operated by their granddaughter Ashley. Ernest invented the first ice shaving machine and Mary created her own flavored syrups. The walls look like they've stayed the same for decades.

Our trip to Lafayette Cemetery No 1 was much too quick. I was only able to take a couple of shots before the gates were about to close. I'm captivated by the beauty of this place. I love the ferns that grow through cracks in the crypts and the bricks that peek out under layers of crumbling plaster. Everything is rich with texture. It's a visual feast that never grows old.

We can't leave the city without picking up a few new records at Louisiana Music Factory.

Evangeline was excited to water the plants in Kiki and Dennis' courtyard. Here are a few shots of this very special place. I love all of the plants that grow in this humid subtropical climate. Of course, my mom is envious of the hydrangeas we can grow up here, but Eamon and I just  love the beautiful ferns that thrive in this zone.

Fern trees!

Inspired by this background of beautiful live oaks, I made Eamon pose for a portrait.

We wanted to take Evangeline to Storyland in City Park, left, but it was closed, so we headed to Danneel Playground instead.  I think we visited this playground almost every day during our trip. Evangeline loved it. Most of the equipment was age-appropriate for her, so we were able to sit back and watch her have fun.

We celebrated Kiki's 60th birthday during our visit. We started the day with brunch at Surrey's in the Lower Garden District. The shrimp and grits is my favorite dish on the menu.

I enjoy seeing my mom's look of love here as she and Evangeline share a cupcake.

This wild animal is ready for a motorcycle ride.

What's better than yellow cake with chocolate frosting?

When we returned home, she didn't waste any time before putting on her gardening gloves and heading out to her playhouse.

David and Jennifer's Handmade Home

Long rays of golden light stretch across the Clancy lawn and fill their small cottage with a warm glow as the sun rises over Narragansett Bay. The natural beauty of this pastoral two-acre property, with its coveted views of the historic Jamestown windmill and the Newport Pell Bridge, is a source of inspiration for the artistry that Jennifer and David pour into their home. Nearly every inch of their restored 1787 colonial has been custom-designed and crafted by the pair, who make a living blowing glass in their post and beam studio located on the grounds.

When David spotted the miller’s cottage 16 years ago, he knew it was a gem even though it was in serious disrepair. The tiny 18th-century house was falling down and needed a new foundation. It also had a drop ceiling and an attic full of rat carcasses. With a lot of work on their hands and not much money, the Clancys had to learn how to do things themselves and be creative with materials. “It was like a game in the beginning, to see what could be used that wasn’t meant to be used,” David explains.

David and Jennifer reused original wood salvaged in the renovation to make walls, doors, and a unique bathroom vanity, which includes a handblown glass sink lit from below. They turned blueberry bush branches into stairway balusters and corrugated tin into a kitchen ceiling. Handmade tiles became decorative mosaic borders, a colorful kitchen backsplash, and flooring. “We were inspired by the rustic style of the original home,” Jennifer says. “We wanted the space to be warm and comfortable and have natural materials. We both love rock and wood and clay.”

Unusual details and decor give the Clancy home character and authenticity: arched doorways, inspired by the Newport Bridge and Jennifer’s love of Gothic architecture, frame the entrance to the kitchen and study; 17th century English church pews they found at Brimfield Antique Show are repurposed as dining banquettes; a collection of Pez dispensers fill several handmade custom display cases; metal objects decorate a wall comprised entirely of a patchwork of salvaged wood.

Despite the long hours David and Jennifer spend making handblown tableware, decorative glass and large-scale installations, the couple’s well of creativity seems never-ending. David is currently building a frame for their teepee, and the couple is finishing a wood-framed paper screen — similar to one they made for their bedroom — to divide their dining and living rooms. “I get a lot of joy just moving through things. I finish one project and I can’t wait to start something else,” David explains.

Welcoming their daughter Tupelo into the roughly 900-square foot one-bedroom home four years ago required them to modify some of their designs. Cable railings used to maintain the openness of their second-floor bedroom are temporarily covered with lattice fencing for safety. Until they are eventually able to create an addition, the space is divided into two bedrooms, a laundry room and a play area.

The Clancys' sprawling grounds include a guest cabin with an outdoor shower and deck, a teepee, and numerous gardens, embellished with glass and metal sculptures and bordered by handmade stone walls and wood fences. It’s a magical world of playfulness and whimsy for Tupelo, named after the beautiful trees on the property and the Van Morrison song ‘Tupelo Honey.’ The four-year-old is all smiles when she returns home from pre-school on a lovely September afternoon. She walks along a stone wall that borders the windmill, plays with the family dog Arlo and is overcome with laughter as her parents take turns giving her a push on her swing. “The whole place looked like it was dying,” Jennifer says of the property when they found it, “and now it is full of life.”

Text and Photos by Jacqueline Marque.

You can see the full Apartment Therapy house tour and read more about the Clancy's property here.

A September evening in Watch Hill

I met up with this family of four on a perfect September evening in Watch Hill. It's always nice when I feel like I'm just capturing people having fun together and that's exactly how things went. This first photo is my favorite. I smile every time I see it. It's such a natural moment between siblings. I think they'll really appreciate it one day when they're older.

I didn't even realize I had captured this quiet moment (above) until I saw it during my edit. There's something really serene and beautiful about their expressions.

A piece of Haiti finds a home in my office

I recently learned about the Macy's Heart of Haiti initiative, which directly benefits Haitian artisans, when I was asked to help the cause by incorporating a piece from their new line in my home decor and share the results. The collection features more than 75  items including jewelry, vases, bowls, metalwork, and even Christmas ornaments, all of which are made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood from Haiti. Macy’s Heart of Haiti upholds the belief that “trade not aid” is a powerful way to create sustainable work and much needed financial opportunities for Haitians. The campaign pays in excess of fair wage to the talented artisans, giving them the dignity of work and economic self-determination.

The item I received is a hand-cut, carved and finished frame made of recycled steel. The four large fronds that surround the picture opening, which is slightly smaller than 4x6, instantly reminded me of the lush greenery of home. Although the frame is meant to sit on a desktop, I thought it was perfect to fill an empty spot on the wall in my home office, which is filled with lots of black, white and chrome.  Sticking with this theme and the reminder of home, I chose to layer my blog logo with a graphic photo I took of a fern tree – Eamon and I are obsessed with ferns – in my mother's New Orleans courtyard this summer. It's kind of a non-traditional office sign, I suppose. I think it fits in perfectly with all of the beautiful yet completely impractical objects – the majority of which were gifts,  I swear! – I choose to surround myself during the many hours I spend in front of my computer each day.

So, here's a little tour of my office:

I really like the way the fern looks with the metal fronds. The metal and black and white fit in perfectly with the rest of the decor in my office.

The wooden camera tape dispenser was a birthday gift this year from my lovely friend Kate Gardiner.

The cameras were all gifts from friends. We have a few others around the house as well. The drawing is by our dear friend Logan Hill.

I adore this letterpress coaster calendar by Sugarcube Press. I bought it at Papers in Newport, which also carries some of their cards.

 I love incorporating paper into decor. I bought this paper at Michael's and used it on the back of my display cubes as well. The retro-styled phone is a big hit with Evangeline. She loves to "talk" to people while I'm working on my computer.

I made the canvas wall hanging using one of my all-time favorite Thomas Paul textiles. I had every intention of selling it until I put it on the wall and decided it looks perfect.

I took these two photos (above) during a snow storm in February. When the light is nice, I often take photos of objects I love. I bought this leather bag from the craftsman who made it in Athens, Greece.

I never tire of this wonderful photo by Newport photographer Sandy Nesbitt. It's the first thing you notice when you enter the house through the front door. The drawings were done by our talented friend Logan Hill.

 I love this Day of the Dead sculpture we bought in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. She casts beautiful shadows and is fun to photograph at different times of day. The woman in the photo is my maternal grandmother Yolande. The woman in the drawing is Logan's grandmother.

 Eamon made most of these marbles (a few were gifts from friends) and the glass container during his glassblowing days. The tiny print is a photo I took in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

 The typewriter was a gift from Eamon's parents. I think it belonged to Eamon's grandfather. Evangeline loves to tap on the keys and pretend to write. But, what surely caught your eye first is our handsome Mangeycat. Isn't he stately? It's hard for me to imagine that there's ever been a cat with a better temperament than our beloved boy. He makes life so much sweeter.