What, When, Where: Kent, Connecticut

By Kaitlin Madden

Over the Fourth of July I had the chance to visit one of my favorite places: a family lake house in the picturesque town of Kent, Connecticut. Geographically, Kent is located in Litchfield County, an area well known for its charming small towns, scenic vistas, and (most importantly) the high concentration of art galleries and antique shops peppered throughout.

On Wednesday, when I ventured into town for my morning coffee, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that, despite the holiday, a number of local shops were open for business. Naturally, I had to stop by a favorite, Terston Home Accents.

Photos by Kaitlin Madden, unless otherwise noted.

Terston is a beautifully curated little shop on North Main Street. The owner, Geraldine Woodruff, has a thing for green–in both the literal and environmental sense. The color itself is a major theme in the store’s offerings, and what’s not green is often blue or yellow, like this La Cadeaux melamine dinnerware (perfect for outdoor dining).

Or these scented “Kent†candles, that were a small part of a larger blue vignette.

At the same time, Woodruff also makes it a point to outfit her store with a sense of responsibility; she offers a variety of eco-friendly products and recycled glassware, as well as locally and American-made products, like these lightweight cotton throws.

If you’ll be in the Litchfield area anytime soon, Terston is a must, but if you need an excuse to plan the trip, here are a few other stops that will make Kent worthy of a detour.

Next door to Terston, the newly opened J.J. Grogan’s is a great place to find eclectic antiques, like this sideboard from India.

And, of course, no trip to Kent would be complete without a visit to the various art galleries that dot the town.

The New York Times once called the Morrison Gallery, located in the Kent Village Barns shops, “a linchpin of Litchfield County’s art scene.†Pop in for a look at the work of more than 30 contemporary artists.

Photo courtesy of the Morrison Gallery

Also located in Kent Village Barns, just a quick walk from the Morrison Gallery, you’ll find the Ober Gallery, which is known for its large selection of Russian Contemporary art from artists like Aleksander Konstantinov, creator of the “Two Trees†sculpture below.

Photo courtesy of the Ober Gallery

If you’re heading to Connecticut anytime soon, these shops are definitely worth the detour. Already packing your bags? Click here for more information on visiting Kent.