Modern Vintage Design Studio

General information

It began when they were kids. The urge to create; to design; to build; whether it be a drawing for their moms, a sewing project, or a sandcastle on a Cape Cod beach, this creative desire instilled in them a deep passion for the unique, designed from their hearts, or restored from their souls.

This is the philosophy that quickly becomes apparent at the Modern Vintage Design Studio, located in Merchant Square, Sandwich.

Owners Kristen Schober and Cara Crupi-Dulmaine have always been creative but from different angles.

Both grew up on Cape Cod, both attended Simmons College in Boston, both had a chance to see different corners of the world and to discover their love of old furniture, art and architecture, textiles and fabric design.
In 2010, they realized their mutual interest and passion for design could be expanded upon. They began collaborating with Kristen’s furniture and Cara’s fabric selling items at craft fairs and through an online blog.

Kristen enjoys restoring or repurposing furniture and architectural pieces that she finds at flea markets, yard sales, salvage yards or by donation.
“She has a great eye and has the talent to take something ordinary or even ugly and turn it into something beautiful,” says Cara of partner Kristen. From creating wall art or painting a piece of furniture in a shabby-chic style, it’s quickly apparent the result is a labor of love.

Cara’s focus is on fabrics and home décor products as well as window treatments. “All of my fabric is created and designed by me,” says Cara. “Some of it starts as a hand-drawn creation, other times it’s drawn on computer.”

A digital textile printer in Durham, North Carolina prints the actual fabric and design.

Combine Cara and Kristen’s points of interest and the result is the concept behind Modern Vintage Design Studio.

While the showcase is on restored furniture, often done in a shabby-chic style, and fabrics designed for pillows, coverlets, window treatments and more, the “Studio” aspect brings even more to the table by offering a wide range of creative services ranging from furniture refinishing to custom drapery including custom fabric designs, design consultations, custom signage and custom designed invitations.

“When the day is done here,” Cara concludes, “we just want to be happy as long as we are always doing what we love and love what we are doing.”

-David Hobbs, All Along 6A