Though it began six years ago as a hobby, the Connecticut ceramics studio that Charlie Dumais founded with his work-and-life partner Kevin has quickly evolved into a trusted purveyor of handmade lamps, pendants, sconces, tables, mirrors, and accessories reflective of experimental techniques and the charming imperfections from the maker’s hand. Each begins as a flat sheet of clay and is meticulously sculpted into a tactile object whose character reveals itself over time, such as the Modern Bohemia collection of stoneware furnishings for Design Within Reach that draws ample inspiration from their hometown of Litchfield’s rich architectural tapestry.
Though it began six years ago as a hobby, the Connecticut ceramics studio that Charlie Dumais founded with his work-and-life partner Kevin has quickly evolved into a trusted purveyor of handmade lamps, pendants, sconces, tables, mirrors, and accessories reflective of experimental techniques and the charming imperfections from the maker’s hand. Each begins as a flat sheet of clay and is meticulously sculpted into a tactile object whose character reveals itself over time, such as the Modern Bohemia collection of stoneware furnishings for Design Within Reach that draws ample inspiration from their hometown of Litchfield’s rich architectural tapestry.
Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: I was born on September 11, 1981. Fun fact, the number one song in the U.S. was “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, and in the UK it was “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell. Pessimists across the pond.
Hometown: I was born in Toms River, NJ. It’s a bridge away from the Jersey Shore but that wasn’t really a term used until MTV created the eponymous series. When I was dating Kevin, I took him to the T-shirt shop they filmed and “worked” in and he bought a racer back tank top that said Gym, Tan, Laundry.
Studio location: Our studio is in Bantam, a borough of Litchfield, CT. The building was originally a carriage factory and then a switch factory. It’s on the Bantam River which provides a beautiful soothing multi-sensory backdrop.
Describe what you make: We make objects for living. I started off building small accessories out of clay. Today, we specialize in lighting (lamps, sconces, and pendants) but also create small pieces of furniture and mirrors big and small. All forms are slab-built, meaning they start off as flat sheets of clay. Though they are sculptural, they are also functional. Because we make our pieces to order, and our clients are almost all interior designers, every piece is customized, sometimes slightly, sometimes drastically. And even without customization, each piece is made by hand, so every single one is a total original.
Modern Bohemia for Design Within Reach. Photography by Allegra Andersen…
Modern Bohemia for Design Within Reach. Photography by Allegra Andersen…
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Ethos. It continues to be a work in progress, but the effort is collective, and our studio and crew, with their creativity, dedication, enthusiasm, precision, and tenacity, make the work possible. I also made an electric toothbrush holder for Jenna Lyons.
Describe the problem your work solves: A candlelit table, a spot to sit or rest a drink, a quick check in the mirror before heading out, or a place to drop the keys or mail when you arrive home. Our pieces don’t solve problems, but they are experiential. That one of our lamps might be the first thing a person touches when entering a room or the last thing they interact with at the end of a day is incredibly meaningful to me.
Describe the project you are working on now: This summer, we started work on an exclusive collection for Jenni Kayne. The capsule is inspired by Jenni’s effortless style and rendered in the muted colors and natural textures of the California coast. The team was an absolute dream to work with, and the pieces are a bit of a departure for us. The forms are more organic and sculptural. The pieces will be available in Jenni’s shops starting in October.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Our town here, Litchfield, is very New England, very colonial in character, but there happens to be a rich undercurrent of midcentury design woven throughout the landscape. Marcel Breuer was particularly prolific throughout our corner and his work became the inspiration for a collection we’re calling Modern Bohemia. It’s been something I’ve wanted to create for a while as a tribute to our home (the town) and the perfect opportunity arose when we were approached by Design Within Reach. The collection just launched, and to say we’re excited is an understatement. That our pieces will be sold alongside Breuer’s who inspired them and countless other icons who have and do inspire me—that significance is not lost on me.
Can Lamps. Photography by Allegra Andersen…
Jenni Kayne Farmhouse. Image courtesy of Dumais Made…
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Order. Cleanliness. If the sun is up, lights are off. I know this might be strange for someone who was an architectural lighting designer and now designs lamps, but I just crave natural light. And music, always music. The team has ear pods in all day, which hurts my feelings, but I like ambient music and something groovy when I glaze. I hate glazing, but a good playlist gets me through it. For ambient music, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Air, Nick Drake… but if it drifts too emo, then Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone. When I glaze, I need ABBA, Donna Summer, or Madonna.
What you do when you’re not working: At home, I love to landscape. I’m not a gardener, I’m a planter, a planner. I like to prune, plant, and transplant and move rocks. The rock bit drives Kevin crazy. Also, a compulsive online shopper. Sigh.
