Torsten (Tokko) Meyer-Rothbarth, co-owner of the Inhabit shop. Photo by: Faunce Photo.
Is it a gallery show or a shop? Live It's both. The Warren store's clean-toned exterior highlights the unusual artworks and handmade goods on display, including visually appealing items like vibrant pink and purple woven baskets, vibrant natural dye tablecloths, one-of-a-kind pieces of handmade Scandinavian wood furniture, and iridescent hand-blown glassware.
All of the artisan-made pieces are on display like exhibits and available for purchase: bright hot pink, purple and orange handwoven baskets from Melko Designs, which creates vessels from cotton rope, fabric scraps, ribbon, thread and fiber; and hand-blown glass vases, tumblers and cups from Soda Glass House in Pawtucket. Wander to the back of the store and marvel at Inhabit's raison d'être: handmade Scandinavian-style wooden furniture made by woodworker and store co-owner Torsten (Tocco) Meyer-Rothbarth.
Inhabit stocks several artisan-made items, including cutting boards, wooden lamps, and artwork.
Tocco began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker, but instead decided to attend the School of Design in Bremen, Germany, where he studied the Bauhaus style. “I never finished my apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker, but I still have enough knowledge and talent to pursue it today,” he says. His day job is as a graphic designer, first working for an automotive company and more recently for Ancestry.com, but as a hobby he enjoys building nesting tables, stools, consoles and tables.
Handwoven basket by Melko Designs.
“We do a lot of custom-made stuff. How many do we sell? Three or four a year. We can't make a living off it,” Tocco says. “But it's fun enough to keep us going.”
Tocco and his wife, Megan Mayer Rothbarth, a teacher, were driving through Warren on their way home from Blissworld with their three children over the holidays when they spotted a vacant storefront for rent. Megan nudged Tocco, and the two took a photo of the “for rent” sign and later called the number. Tocco was already outgrowing his home workshop, and thought, “It would be nice to have a place we could manage ourselves,” Tocco says.
Artisan-made wooden furniture and fun cardboard seating.
Tocco had already networked with artisans from around the region at Fine Furnishings and American Craft Council shows, so he came up with the idea to bring other artisans' work together in a showroom and offer a lookbook highlighting the custom pieces. His collection currently features delicate side tables, ceramics, paintings, textiles and more, all accompanied by a brief biography of each artist, including their vision and background.
Inhabit is now home to artists selling their handmade goods and creating custom pieces. The home decor is made by local artisans and is reasonably priced. “We also decided we needed a faster turnover product to sell our slow-moving items here,” Tocco says. “Rather than doing a shop, we thought it would be more interesting to do it in a gallery format.” 450 Main Street, Warren, instagram.com/shop_inhabit
Friday, April 26th,Artist Sean Brence will be showing off some new work and hosting a Q&A on design, furniture, New England style, and more. Complimentary champagne and espresso will be provided.
Inhabit candlesticks.
