EDITOR’S LETTER

I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR AMERICAN CRAFTSMEN, in particular because my grandfather was one. Professionally, he was an illustrator and toy designer—if you played with Barbies in the 1980s or ’90s, you may have had a Barbie house or car he designed (he also illustrated the original See ’n Say toys in the 1960s). But on the side, he was a woodworker and all-around Renaissance man. He could make pretty much anything, and the care and attention he gave to each lamp, piece of furniture or wall art he created made the pieces irreplaceable treasures—the kind of treasures that make it onto my family’s fire evacuation list.

And that’s one of the goals of curating your home, isn’t it? To invest in quality pieces that will last for years and make your heart sing every time you look at them. And we think there’s no better place to look than American makers—the companies, craftsmen and small businesses that make up the backbone of the American economy.

So we’re celebrating American quality in this issue, from home products to shop (page 30) and businesses to highlight (page 12) to vintage collectibles to hunt (pages 34 and 44). Explore custom homes (page 94), renovated homes (page 78) and DIYed homes (page 64). We’re also giving tips and tricks for rethinking your outdoor spaces: how to use them (page 40) and inspiration from real homeowners on making them look amazing (page 74).

Enjoy these dog days of summer with a glass of lemonade (or iced tea or a mojito) as you flip through the pages of American Farmhouse Style!

Cheers,