I saw it at IKEA!

The Swedish design company, IKEA gave props to the local graphic design firm Triple Frog.

Co-owner Stacey Dyer and her crew just moved their offices to Middletown. They're now on the top floor (some might say "attic") at the renovated Sanseer Mill building on Main Street Extension. After she finished fixing it up with some creative paint and a few things from IKEA, Stacey sent them some photos.

They decided it looked so good that they are featuring her office on their website: you can see it here.

Welcome to Middletown, Triple Frog!

Shop Local, Get Global

One of the best things about Middletown is the eccentric nature of its commerce. Perhaps you already know about Harriet Amanda Chapman. If not, you are in for a treat.

The two proprietresses -- sisters Harriet and Amanda -- have lost count of how many decades they've been running their import shop filled with objects from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway & Iceland.

Their store is nearly impossible to find (more on that later) but once you have arrived, you are likely to be greeted with a cup of coffee and the invitation to just holler if you decide you'd like company or need any help. And then you are left to wander through their amazing collection of Scandinavian crafts and toys, all of which put you in the mood for "Christmas in the Northland". I make a yearly pilgrimage to their shop to add a few of their carved ornaments to our tree, and fill my kids stockings with tiny playthings that don't have a tv-show tie-in.

So what do they sell? Tin toys. Painted clogs. A whole wall of red palm-sized Santas. Spinning cut-paper mobiles. Hand-painted glittery greeting cards. Wooden puppets. Glass ornaments. Imported kitchen tools. Swedish treats and jars of Ligonberries. Icelandic sweaters. And "Reserved for Danes" parking signs.




It's like being inside of IKEA's childhood memories.






I've pasted a google map in this post -- but my best advice is to turn down Boston Road from Washington Street, take the second left, and park in front of the factory that looks empty. If you're lucky, Harriet Amanda Chapman's neighbor will have her door open and you can peer inside at artist Robin Price's letterpress studio.


View Larger Map

This post is hopefully the first in a series on what you can buy locally -- please email me with your suggestions and favorite shops at mieyejen@gmail.com. Thanks!