American Hearths

The story of the hearth in America reveals the evolution from a crude and primitive society to one reflecting the warmth, comfort and practicality of advanced domesticity. This is one of my favorite types of article to research and write ~ a peek beneath the comfortable image we too often hold of the lives of our inventive ancestors.

Winter 2014

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Creating a Showcase

Marti and Ron Diederich are a creative, delightful couple who've built a saltbox in western Illinois perfect for displaying their exceptional original-finish furniture ~ much of it collected across their beloved Midwest. Theirs is a enduring story of various houses and years of collecting primitive treasures, including even the drama of a major house fire.

Winter 2014

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A Family Farm

Julie Hites and her husband Greg have brought together a wonderful historic house, a log cabin, several vintage outbuildings and an abundance of pumpkins and gourds on their Ohio farm -- all in the spirit of the American family farm.

Fall 2014

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An Eye for Quality

Bill McKenna and his wife Suzanne have collected a stunning array of early furnishings. Appearance is important, but Bill says he also looks for the telltale signs of wear that reveal each piece's personal history. To provide an extraordinary backdrop for these pieces, the McKennas have expanded and remodeled their home to match the period span of their collection.

Summer 2014

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A Gardening Destiny Fulfilled

After years of nurturing her green thumb and love of antiques, Connie Reeve now spends her time in an incredible array of gardens and running her antique shop in one of New England's landmark historical homes, Avery Hill Farm. With husband Perc at her side, they've transformed the house, outbuildings and grounds into a destination spot for history lovers.

Special Issue 2014

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A Primitive Paradise

Chriss Cefus is one of the most unique and creative gardeners and landscapers I've ever met. She and husband Bob have turned their Ohio yard into a wonderland of paths and plants, weathered outbuildings, and primitive trellises. Beauty and interesting things catch your eye at every turn.

Special Issue 2014

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Johnny Appleseed Fact from Fiction

I greatly enjoyed researching and writing this article because Johnny Appleseed has interested me since I was a child. Though I've long been aware that much of what we're taught about this kindly yet odd man is folklore, I learned that the facts of his life are fascinating and complex. His business acumen and Swedenborgian religious zeal made him far more successful than most people realize.

Spring 2014

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Treasures in a New England Tavern

Many years ago, Dave Proctor decided to focus on collecting early furniture with original painted surfaces. The result was acquiring an incredible collection of these sought-after pieces long before they became so popular and therefore rare. Today Dave displays his painted furnishings in his New Hampshire home that also functioned as a stagecoach inn and tavern through the mid 1800s. And he's one of the most knowledgable collectors and dealers I've had the pleasure of writing about!

Spring 2014

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