Friday Favorites 10/5/2012

October 5, 2012

Kaitlin Madden, Managing and Online Editor This week, I had the chance to stop by the Boston Design Center for “The Look,” a day-long open house that featured all sorts of speakers, showcases, presentations and, of course, the New England Design Hall of Fame announcement party. While making a my rounds through the BDC’s many levels, I stopped in Charles Spada, one of my favorite showrooms in Boston. There, I had the chance to meet Laura Dockery, the woman behind a beautiful line of hand-painted textiles, Coleman Taylor. Laura and her line hail from Alabama, and both exude such Southern charm and casual glamour that I had to share.

Coleman Taylor textile swatches. Photos by Kaitlin Madden

Maria LaPiana, Contributing Writer Not every interior designer has the luxury of showcasing his or her talents by way of a retail outlet, but we found one who has — and has she ever. Shafer O’Neil on Washington Street in Wellesley is an inspiration and a delight, thanks to the discerning eye of its proprietor, Judy O’Neil Labins. A product designer for more than 20 years (Crate & Barrel and Williams Sonoma were among her clients), Labins has an appreciation for both comfort and style. And because the designer makes frequent buying trips to India and the Far East, her shop is studded with extraordinary Asian finds as well. Labins features new furniture and accessories on “Merchandise Mondays” and offers discounts on “Design Discourse” evenings, during which she invites patrons to stop by for a drink while they browse (bring your design questions and she’ll be happy to answer them). Shafer O’Neil is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (unless Labins is out on an appointment). Call 781-235-7505, or visit her Facebook page for details.

Photo by Stacy Kunstel

The inside of the shop. Photo courtesy of Shafer O'Neil

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor While I was also tooling around the Boston Design Center during “The Look” on Wednesday, I couldn’t help but fall in love with this striped outdoor chair at Studio 534. Now I know we’re all supposed to be thinking autumnal along with that dreadful season that follows it, but I prefer to look forward to spring and the opportunity to place a chair like this pool side. Until then, it will have to be an indoor pool. For more favorites from our editors, check out our Friday favorites archives, here.

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