Last week, I had the chance to do something I’ve wanted to do for many years.

I  am an avid reader of Old House Journal. Even before I bought my 1792 farm house in Virginia, or lived in the old refurbished Botetourt jail from the late 1800s, or moved up here to Vermont in the circa 1800 post and beam house I live in currently, I read Old House Journal pouring over the articles and ads about old homes and the things used to restore them.

One of the ads that always jumped out at me was by a company called Authentic Designs, who make hand crafted colonial and early American lighting. Sconces and chandeliers and post lamps, they make them all. And, as it turns out, they make them in nearby Rupert, Vermont. The very next town to West Pawlet.

A few weeks ago I attended a meeting and met Michael Krauss and Maria Peragine, who run Authentic Designs, and Michael invited me to visit some time. And so Friday before last, I did.

What a pleasure. Maria and Michael are delightful people, and Maria gave me a tour, showing me the workshops, the wiring room, the storage room of every lamp part imaginable, all of it. I learned a bit about their workmen, their history and how dedicated they are to making exceptional lighting. I learned about their business, and how they market and how they sell, and saw first hand as Michael worked with another visitor to the showroom, what care they take of their customers.

I took a quick round of pictures (like the one above), but I plan to go again, when I take my time and get some shots that really does what they do justice. In the meanwhile, you may want to go visit their site and treat yourself to beautifully made reproductions and lamps.

This is one of the things I have come to love about living in my little corner of Vermont. There are people here who make things – furniture, lamps, art – with such passion and dedication. I’m always humbled when I visit them. Humbled and inspired. And that was certainly the case here.

What a joy!

Tom