A Designer’s Touch: Where Craftsmanship Meets Personality

For Charlie and Maureen, the decision to furnish their home with Thos. Moser furniture wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about honoring the craftsmanship of Maine artists and makers. Their relationship with Tom Moser himself dates back decades, beginning when Charlie was involved with the Margaret Chase Smith Library project. “I’m not sure exactly when I first met Tom and Mary,” Charlie recalls. “It may have been at an event in New Gloucester. By then, Tom had left Bates College and started his furniture business. I got to know Tom and Mary better during my 1977 gubernatorial campaign, and they continued to support my efforts, including in 1982 when I secured the nomination.”

Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who served as honorary chairman of Charlie’s campaign, had a keen appreciation for Tom Moser’s craftsmanship. In 1982, when the Margaret Chase Smith Foundation was established, her awareness of Moser’s growing reputation led to the purchase of conference room furniture for the library. “By the time Senator Smith passed in 1995, Tom was widely recognized as a man of integrity, producing heirloom-quality pieces,” Charlie explains.

That dedication to quality craftsmanship led Charlie and Maureen to furnish their own home with Thos. Moser pieces. “In 2000, we rebuilt our home and substantially refurbished it. Maureen loved the clean lines of the Shaker-inspired designs. We visited the showroom in Freeport, Maine, and ordered an Eight Leg Oval Ring dining room table, with Harpswell Side Chairs, and Harpswell Arm Chairs with a forest green upholstery to match the forested location of our first home. Over time, they added more pieces, including a cherry Wing Chair and Ottoman, and Harpswell Stools for the island in the kitchen.

Over twenty years later, they returned to Thos. Moser to have their dining chairs and stools reupholstered to complement their new home on the ocean. Working with their longtime friend and interior designer, Kathi Fuller, played an integral role in making their new home a reflection of their personalities and the surrounding landscape.

“For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Charlie and Maureen on several projects, from Maine to Santa Fe,” Kathi says. “Our latest collaboration was especially delightful, as it allowed me to translate their vibrant personalities and appreciation for local art into the upholstery of their dining chairs. Inspired by the artwork of Maine artist Dolhov Ipcar, I curated a palette of vivid colors, including the blues and greens they love, which transformed their furniture into true statement pieces that seamlessly blend in with their home decor.”

This collaboration was built on years of trust and understanding. “I presented a cohesive vision that not only celebrated their playful side but their keen eye for artistry and craftsmanship,” Kathi adds. “Each fabric choice and design element was chosen to resonate with their unique style and the essence of their surroundings.” So, what sold Charlie and Maureen on selecting the upholstery Kathi had chosen? ” When Kathi showed us a sketch of what the chair would look like, it was a done deal,” said Maureen.

Kathi’s drawing of their chair with their upholstery selections and the final look of the Harpswell Arm Chair.

“The craftsmanship of Thos. Moser furniture renders each piece a work of art in its own right,” says Kathi. “But what makes these projects truly special is how the beautifully constructed frame becomes a canvas, showcasing the artistry and precision of the upholstery.”

Their home on the rugged Maine coast showcases not just furniture, but pieces of art that tell a story of who they are, creating a connection to the landscape. The Thos. Moser pieces in their home serve as an anchor, complementing the local artwork and scenery. “From the walnut kitchen island with cherry Harpswell stools to the dining set overlooking the bay, every piece is intentional,” Charlie notes. For those considering their first piece of Thos. Moser furniture, Charlie offers this advice: “Save up! You get what you pay for, and you won’t regret it. These are timeless, handcrafted pieces—works of art signed by the artisans who made them.”

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