A creative mind is a miraculous thing. And to see the power of creativity within local artists and artisans is not only gratifying, but enviable. These inspired pieces for the home are all designed and handcrafted right in our backyard.
Conrad Williams Glass
Uovo Handblown Glass Vessel
After completing rare internships with Benjamin Moore and Dale Chihuly, and honing his craft while living in the West, Conrad Williams returned to his native Naples, where he now runs his glassblowing studio. Uovo is a large, handblown glass vessel, mixed with cobalt oxide and finished with a sterling silver overlay. Its sheer size (20 inches high, 11 inches wide and 7 inches deep) makes a stunning impression when the piece is placed near an entryway. $3,800; conradwilliamsglass.com
Ed Koehler Designs
Ginkgo Chair
These Ed Koehler chairs—inspired by the famed Claude Lalanne model—are hand-sculpted, hammered, ground and welded to be similar, but one of a kind. The seats and backs are fashioned to resemble ginkgo leaves, while the legs are designed as branches, making these a natural place to sit. $3,000 per chair; edkoehlerdesigns.com
John Carroll Long
Black & White & Red Rollover
Whimsy is one of the default switches inside the mind of artist John Carroll Long, as illustrated by this side table-meets-art lamp creation. The term “conversation piece” initially comes to mind, but upon closer inspection, its sophistication and balance showcase an artist in command. $4,200; upartanddesign.com
Jeremy Jones
Blue Bourbon Cart
Drinking and driving may be frowned upon, but rolling booze around in this ultra-cool bar cart (48.5 inches high, 16 inches wide and 49.75 inches long), designed and created by Naples-based Jeremy Jones, makes mobile libations a thing of beauty. Made of American walnut and solid steel, it features an antique brass metal cage and an ombré crystalline back panel fitted with a touchless motion LED dimmer, which can be placed in the front of the case (to illuminate items inside) or at the back (to cast a glow and silhouette your bar collection). $18,000; jeremyjonesdesign.com
Tovari Designs
Moment in Time
Designed to capture the moment when a wave is in motion, crashing upon a shell and engulfing it, this ceramic mixed-media piece (21 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches) is made of resin, custom glazing and silver metallic. Artist Tracy Gurdian, of Tovari Designs, creates rips, tears and holes to represent the natural weathering of shells, while the black and white foam effect comes from a multifiring and glazing process. $1,990; tovaridesigns.com, judithliegeoisdesigns.com
H&R Studio
Tribalism I
Sculptor Brett F. Harvey, of H&R Studio, takes a profound approach to his work. “Two feet locked in conflict are unable to move forward, distracted from the fact that they themselves are part of the same being,” he says of his piece, Tribalism I (20 inches high by 9 inches wide). The boxes on which they sit are identical but positioned in opposite orientations. Steel sheathing hides a relatively fragile foundation of particleboard. It’s a perfect find for an art lover conscious enough to know that we must take the first step. $3,688; methodandconcept.com
