Designed for a Life at Sea

With clean lines and timeless designs, our furniture feels at home in a traditional farmhouse, a highly curated art collector’s house, or, in this case, a 55-foot yacht. It perfectly accentuates the style and aesthetic of the space it occupies, from residential to commercial to custom. Aboard their Hinckley yacht, Captain Ann and Skipper Pete take to the Atlantic’s azure waters each year and travel north along the eastern seaboard from Florida to Bar Harbor, Maine. One of their many stops this year would include anchoring in South Freeport, Maine, and we would make a special delivery.

When Captain Ann and Skipper Pete were looking to replace a few interior elements within the cabin, they called upon the craftspeople and designs they knew and loved. Given the cabin’s configuration, they were looking for pieces that would maintain the open and airy environment of the upper, glass-enclosed level—the one requirement: the chairs needed to be incredibly comfortable, as they would serve as their evening lounge chairs. While combing through our catalog, the Harpswell Arm Chair caught their eye. While not typically thought of being a lounge chair, the contemporary lines and thick upholstered back and seat cushions of the Harpswell Arm Chairs were a perfect fit for Ann and Pete.

To give these Harpswell Chairs a signature look, they chose the same custom Spinneybeck leather that matched the boat’s new banquette. To elevate their feet after a long day on the water, they decided to pair the arm chairs with the Wing Ottoman- creating the perfect ocean lounge chair. The stability and durability, coupled with the height, weight, and comparatively small footprint compared to lounge chairs or sofas, made the Harpswell chairs and Wing Ottoman ideal for their ocean home. The cherry’s warmth illuminates the space, and in time, it will patina, matching the rich woodwork found throughout the cabin.

Once we brought the pieces aboard, it was, in true boating style, cause for celebration. Skipper Pete, donning a vibrant Hawaiian shirt with an antipasti platter in hand and a whirring blender in the galley containing tart, citrusy refreshments to christen the new arrivals, invited us aboard to take in the brilliant pastel sunset. Here, Skipper Pete regaled us with his travels aboard this boat, the welcoming and memorable people and ports he has met along the way. We shared the same sentiment while watching the sun dip just below the pines- how lucky we are to share in the warm company and stories of our extended Moser family.

If you have a great story or pictures to share of how you live with your Thos. Moser, we invite you to connect with us. We would love to hear from you.

The Edo Collection

Lasting from 1603 to 1868, Japan’s Edo period was a time of great cultural growth and dedication to craftsmanship. This era was noted for peace and stability, as samurai set aside their swords and embraced philosophy and art. Artists and builders valued balance, restraint, and respect for their materials, turning simple materials such as wood, ink, and paper into lasting works of beauty through careful carving, layering, and finishing. The architecture of the time reflected these values, with every part having a clear function and authentic beauty emerging from honest construction. A torii gate. The wide horizontal lines of torii gates, the strong wooden frames of temples, and the repeating patterns of traditional buildings all show a belief that beauty comes from structure, careful proportions, and precision, rather than added decoration. The Edo Bench Inspiration Behind the Edo Collection Introduced in 2006, the Edo Collection by David Moser was inspired by a profound respect for Japanese architecture and craftsmanship, particularly the wabi-sabi ethos, which values the authentic beauty of handmade objects. Instead of simply copying decorative details, Moser drew from the structural principles and traditions of Japan’s Edo period, blending them with modern American furniture-making and the Thos. Moser style. The result is furniture that looks both timeless and modern—unique, understated, and true to its roots. Above: The Edo Stool Form Built From Structure Architectural shapes are a key feature throughout the Edo Collection. Angled supports evoke temple gateways, and wide horizontal surfaces seem to float above well-designed bases. The Edo Trestle Table exemplifies this idea, with a sculpted base that looks light but is very stable, allowing chairs and benches to fit easily underneath. Similarly, the platform bed’s low height creates a sense of calm in the bedroom. Each piece stands out for its clean lines, thoughtful design, and simple, natural proportions. The Warmth of Natural Materials The collection also reflects the Japanese love for simplicity and authenticity. Rather than overpowering the material, each design highlights the natural qualities of sustainably sourced North American cherry and walnut. The grain, color changes, and warmth of the wood are integral to the design. Sharp edges, smooth lines, and careful proportions further bring out the beauty already in the material. The Edo Chair is a prime example, blending Japanese design, Scandinavian modernism, Shaker style, and American craftsmanship into one unified piece. Details in Design Throughout the collection, a signature square tenon joint reflects traditional Japanese methods. Edo chairs, with their gently carved crests inspired by torii gates, offer both comfort and sculptural beauty. Each seat is deeply carved to bring out its shape and provide ergonomic support, while the natural finish enhances the wood’s grain and color. Above: The Edo Bed and Studio Dresser A Shared Philosophy Although inspired by Japan, the Edo Collection is unmistakably Thos. Moser. Each piece is handmade in Maine with traditional joinery and sustainably sourced North American hardwoods. Instead of copying old designs, David Moser brought forward the values behind them—clarity, craftsmanship, and careful proportion—into furniture made for modern life. Almost twenty years after its introduction, the Edo Collection still feels current, its roots in timeless architecture proving that good design and honest materials always belong in the home.

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The Argonaut

Home Owners: Elizabeth and Stelios Theofanidis Interior Designer: Alexandra Theofanidis, Studio Alpha Interiors Architects: Graham Architects and Richard Moody & Sons Construction Location: Kennebunkport, Maine At the beginning of 2020, we all took a step back. We paused, reassessed, and headed into an unforeseeable future. Interior designer Alex Theofanidis took this time to step back nearly 50 years to begin redesigning her future. In the 1950s, Alex's grandparents immigrated to the United States from Greece to pursue their medical studies and begin a new life. They worked incredibly hard and ultimately made a comfortable life for themselves in Connecticut. In the early 1970s, they began looking for a vacation home on Cape Cod. However, years before, her grandfather had obtained his medical license in Maine and had always wanted to return. They traveled to Kennebunkport and immediately fell in love with the Maine coastline. Alex's grandmother, an astute observer, was the force behind purchasing the oceanfront condo. Seeing the location, she found the developer and handed him a check. When he told her the place was not for sale, she said, 'Call me when you change your mind.' A few months later, the development went under, and that is how they landed their seaside getaway and where Alex's story and our interview about redesigning her generational summer home began. The Ellipse Lounge Chair & Ottoman paired with the Shaker Round Stand What was it like redesigning a generational beach home? Did you have any pushback from family members? The greatest challenge of redesigning the home, from my experience, was the pressure I put on myself for everything to be perfect. Of course. I have this pressure with every project I work on, but it's different when you're looking for the 'Wow!" reaction and approval from your entire family. Thankfully, we don't have a huge family, so I didn't have to field a lot of opinions. Luckily, I understood what the space needed from years of observation, which gave me a good foundation for my vision for the project. But they say your parents will be your most challenging clients, which couldn't be more accurate. The Bowback Stool in walnut. What were some of the “Must-Haves” for the renovation? We had a few years to think through what was necessary for this renovation before construction started, so the list of must-haves was quite long. It ranged from completely opening the entire first floor to installing the Toto Neorest in the primary bath. Since the project was a complete gut redesign, there was unlimited potential for what we could do with the space. This, of course, was incredibly exciting for me. As the designer, my must-haves centered on designing fully custom millwork throughout the project, from creating a chef’s kitchen to optimizing each space. As our family grows, maximizing the number of beds also falls under that category, which is why we knocked down walls on the 3rd floor and vaulted the ceiling to create a multi-use bunkroom floor for all ages. I have known Thos. Moser furniture before I even entered the world of interior design. I have always admired the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and respect for natural wood. My goal for every project I have in Maine or New England is that there is a Thos. Moser piece because I believe the designs evoke a true essence of New England style. -Alex Theofanidis The Bowback Stool in walnut. Why was it essential for you to celebrate Maine craftspeople with your furnishings? I find that an essential part of my role as a designer is to celebrate local artisans and styles of any project’s location. I find it quite lucky to have projects in Maine because it’s not hard to find incredibly talented local craftspeople. Ultimately, I’m fortunate that I’m able to celebrate Thos. Moser’s incredible design and craftsmanship in this project. Thos. Moser furniture was a must-have when developing the furniture package for this project. It was initially a lot of back and forth with what pieces we wanted to go with. I knew I wanted the Wishbone Table and the Bowback Stools from the get-go because of their simplistic design and true craftsmanship. It wasn’t until we visited the showroom in Freeport that we added the Pencil Post Bed, the Ellipse Lounge Chair, and Ottoman. I wish we could have added more to the order, but there was a budget I needed to abide by. What is your favorite room in the home? The sunroom is one of my favorite rooms in the home. Initially, my parents wanted to knock down the wall between the living room and the sunroom to create one large room. I forcefully pushed back on that and suggested glazing the wall with upper windows and a French door to optimize the views but create a functional space for someone to watch TV in the living room and another person to relax and read a book in the sunroom on the Thos. Moser Ellipse Lounge chairs as they gaze onto the vast Atlantic Ocean. I feel so incredibly grateful that this project was my first project going solo. Not only was I able to ultimately lead the design of a full gut oceanfront property, but I was also able to create something that my whole family can enjoy for generations to come. What is your fondest memory of being at the beach house? I have so many fond memories that it’s hard to choose one. However, the one I’ll share is more of a sensory memory than a story. It’s of my grandfather cooking in the 1970s dark, inefficient kitchen on the yellow enamel appliances that the home used to have. He wasn’t that amazing of a cook, and he worked so much that he didn’t cook that often, but it filled the home with so much warmth and love when he did. My one goal is to replicate that spirit with the new space. And I only hope both my grandparents would be proud of what I created from their investment. Cumberland Dining Chair and Wishbone Extension Table in walnut. The capstone of Alex’s design was to celebrate the home with a custom newel post, created by Kyle James, at the foot of the stairs. Her goal was to create a design that was simple yet timeless. When she started discussing the approach during construction with the project manager, he suggested looking into applying a mortgage button to the top of the post. She immediately fell in love with the idea. They had ‘1973’ inscribed on the button to commemorate the year her grandparents purchased the home. Of course, the mortgage is well paid off on the home, but it felt important to her to create a symbol of appreciation so that future generations can understand the history of their little house by the sea.

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Set for Summer

Complete with classic New England architecture, cedar shakes, and a Maine-made weathervane, customer Chris T.’s home blends his passion for boating and Maine artisanship. Initially, the 6,500-square-foot “Eagle Loft” was built to store his two Hinckley yachts during the off-season. It wasn’t until the project was well underway that Chris decided to add the living quarters to enjoy the area and entertain guests during the summer. A bay of open windows invites the iconic Acadia National Park coastline in with dappled views of the Bear Island Lighthouse through a lush canopy of heirloom maple trees and cool salt breezes from the Somes Sound. Above: The Eagle Loft Chris’ affinity for Maine and fine craftsmanship started in the late 1960s, as a 12-year-old, when he spent his summers visiting his aunt and uncle in New Gloucester, Maine. He vividly remembers those summers when he climbed aboard the Greyhound bus in Boston bound for Maine. One of his favorite summer adventures included tagging along with his uncle to visit his friend at his “workshop.” This was the first workshop in the old Grange Hall. Recollecting his younger years, Chris says, “As a Boston city kid, I was amazed to see furniture being made and refurbished by hand. It created a lifelong interest in following the success of Tom’s furniture over the decades.” As time passed, Chris watched the business grow. Moser was a natural choice when it came to furnishing the Eagle Loft. Every element was thoughtfully planned, designed, and executed. With the main living space situated among the trees, he wanted furniture that reflected the surroundings and exuded Maine ingenuity and craft. When speaking of the table and chairs, Chris notes, “They were the first pieces of furniture I selected for my new home. I’ve admired his furniture for years—the pure craftsmanship, a combination of elegance and comfort, drew me to his designs.” I've admired this furniture for years— the pure craftsmanship, a combination of elegance and comfort drew me to his designs. -Chris T. Chris’ space was made for gathering with a table set for summer soirees after a day on the water. The solid walnut trestle of the Wishbone table anchors the room, and the Eastward Chairs’ hand-sculpted seats invite people to gather and take in the view. At one luncheon, he recalls, “It lasted for hours; it’s a testament to how comfortable Tom’s wooden chairs are.” While family and guests appreciate the fine craftsmanship of the furniture, Chris notes that he delights in showing the maker's signature to guests on every piece- “it always wows them,” he says. The fine art of boatbuilding and furnituremaking shares a symbiosis that enriches the space and the lives of those who visit the Eagle Loft. For Chris, this kinship of craft has created a childhood dream home where he shares meals with friends around a table and chairs designed by a man he met as a child, whilst gazing upon a harbor steeped in a rich history of boatbuilding.

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The Edo Collection

The Argonaut

Set for Summer

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