Modern Bohemia: A Collection Rooted in Litchfield’s Modernist Legacy

When you think of Litchfield, Connecticut, images of charming colonial architecture and tree-lined streets probably come to mind. However, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find an unexpected mid-century modernist gem quietly woven into this New England town’s rich fabric. And it’s this hidden legacy that has inspired the latest Dumais Made collection, Modern Bohemia.

Ceramicist Charlie Dumais, co-founder of Dumais Made, has long been influenced by the principles of modernism – rationality, order, and clean lines – which happen to align perfectly with the works of architectural greats like Marcel Breuer. Though Litchfield is primarily known for its colonial homes, Breuer and his contemporaries (Eliot Noyes, Edward Larrabee Barnes, and others) left a modernist mark here that few might expect. Dumais taps into this mid-century spirit with Modern Bohemia, an 18-piece collection of ceramic lighting, furniture, and accessories – seven of which were created exclusively for Design Within Reach.

B32 Vessel II glazed in Walnut, B32 Vessel III glazed in Chalk, and Stack Nesting Tray glazed in Ochre

A modern dining table with red-cushioned chairs features a tall vase with branches and small orange berries, surrounded by other decorative containers. A window and abstract artwork are in the background

B32 Vessel II glazed in Walnut, B32 Vessel III glazed in Chalk, and Stack Nesting Tray glazed in Ochre

So how does a sleepy New England town become a muse for a forward-thinking collection like this? It all began when Dumais and his husband, Kevin, moved to Litchfield nine years ago and found himself introduced to its surprising modernist undercurrent through friends and neighbors. Breuer’s work specifically left a lasting impression. Dumais shares with Design Milk the endearing backstory:

“We met Kyra and Roberston Hartnett, (founders of Twenty2 Wallpaper and Textiles) at a small café in town. We were “friends” on Instagram and that’s how we recognized each other in person. Their house, Gagarin II was hard to miss in Kyra’s posts and there was definitely a mystery to it. I didn’t want to ask them outright if they lived in a Breuer house, I didn’t know them well enough to be that brash, but I was curious. Then they invited us over for drinks one evening and we got the tour. If you know them, you know the tour. The house, of course, is stunning, a treasure, and it has been meticulously, lovingly cared for. They sweat every detail when it comes to the architecture, but they really live in this house. It’s a home. And I think that is what was most striking to me, the warmth, the ease, and the coziness they infused within it. Modernist architecture is almost always viewed, but not felt. It lacks emotion and approachability. But with their home, I immediately related to this juxtaposition. I love the logic and order of modernism and brutalism. It speaks to the structured methods of slab building and our aesthetic, but also to the softer, natural qualities of clay and glaze that soften the edges and celebrate the organic imperfections.”

Tall Tunnel Table Lamp glazed in Chalk

Modern Bohemia feels like Dumais’ love letter to this unique blend of natural beauty and modernist architecture. Every piece pays homage to Breuer’s architectural works in the area, from the funnel-shaped fireplaces of Gagarin House I (which inspired the Funnel Table Lamps, Stack Floor Lamp, and Stack Side Table) to the angled rooflines of Gagarin House II, reimagined in the Pitch Sconce and Pitch Trays. The Torin Mirrors and Torin Sculpture are directly inspired by Breuer’s 1953 Torin Factory facade in Torington.

The use of color, texture, and relief also takes cues from Breuer’s Bauhaus-inspired furniture. For instance, the B32 Vessels and Stack Nesting Trays feature hand-applied reliefs that are a nod to Breuer’s revolutionary cane and tubular steel chair.

Tall Tunnel Table Lamp glazed in Ochre and Pitch Tray glazed in Verdigris at Gagarin II, whose pitched roofline inspired its design

Juicebox Lamp glazed in Ultramarine, a color exclusive to this collection inspired by Calder’s signature use of primary colors

While Breuer plays a significant role in the collection, fellow artist Alexander Calder also makes an impact. The rich blue, ultramarine glaze that makes a bold appearance in the Juice Box Lamp and Perforated Wall Sconce was a thoughtful choice, a tribute to the murals painted by Calder for the Stillman House, another modernist treasure in Litchfield County.

Funnel Table Lamp glazed in Ochre

To bring the vision of Modern Bohemia full circle, Dumais chose to shoot the collection on location at Gagarin II, an idea Dumais had long explored and made possible through his collaboration with Design Within Reach. He shares with us further:

“Like any relationship, it starts with a first date. Lucky for us, Design Within Reach is also Connecticut based, and we invited them over to our studio to meet us and take a class. Its really a treat to experience the transformation in students from the moment they roll up their sleeves, to getting their hands dirty and then accomplishing something few believe they can do. Its disarming and fun and you do feel like friends after. I think Debbie Probst actually punched me in the arm at the end (playfully of course). They built vases, and trays in various scales, and some even made more than one piece. I had prepared maquettes and illustrations and research on modernism in Litchfield and that’s when I pitched the idea of the collection. We discussed forms, finishes, direction, and concept. Their feedback was thoughtful, and enthusiastic, and from there, the process was organic and effortless.”

Pitch Sconce glazed in Ochre

Funnel Floor Lamp glazed in Ochre

When the day came to finally shoot the Modern Bohemia collection in homes designed by Breuer, Dumais was excited, to say the least. “It was certainly cathartic. I knew that first night at their house we would become fast friends with the Hartnetts, but never imagined this moment. That morning while the team set up, I stood in Kyra’s bathroom chatting with her while she got ready,” shares Dumais. “Meanwhile, Robertson was very determined to get us access to the Sonos before they left with Marcel, their Wheaton Terrier puppy, for work. Their daughters were floating in and out running errands, getting to their lessons, making their lunch, a salad for Ella and an ice cream Sunday for Hollis. All this happening while I got to pretend to live there. And just like my mother, I followed everyone around with a coaster.”

Funnel Floor Lamp glazed in Walnut

With this partnership with Design Within Reach, Modern Bohemia is available for those who want to bring a touch of Litchfield’s hidden architectural history into their own homes and appreciate thoughtful design, modernist influence, and a story behind the craft. After all, the collection is as much about heritage as it is about the future.

“Marcel Breuer and his peers ushered in a different way of living and a new culture of creativity in Litchfield. I wouldn’t say I am immersed in this heritage. I’m just a fan and this is a tribute to the architecture, and its relationship to the landscape within the greater context of our quintessentially New England town,” says Dumais about continuing Litchfield’s modernist heritage. “Litchfield has an incredibly rich creative community, but like modernism, it remains an undercurrent. We built our studio within the Bantam Arts Factory where we work alongside a growing number of talented artists and makers. I hope this collection, our team, and our continued work celebrates modernism and Litchfield through a new lens, with a greater reach.”