Journal
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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Coastal Cottage Offers Modern Retreat
The moment you turn down the nearly half-mile private driveway to the Jennings cottage, you know you are about to experience something magical.
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Living With Intention
For Anne and George, home has always been more than a place to live—it’s a reflection of their values: a space shaped by experience, intentional design, and appreciation for craftsmanship. Their journey with Thomas Moser began in 2005, almost accidentally, when Anne stepped into the Georgetown showroom, drawn to a Vita Chair she saw in the window. Until that day, she had associated the brand with traditional Windsor styles—“Beautiful, but not quite my style,” she admits. But this chair was different: sculptural, graceful, quietly strong. “I was smitten,” Anne recalls, “This was not just a piece of furniture, but a work of art.” She wasn’t expecting to find the centerpiece of their future home that day—but sometimes, the most meaningful connections are the ones we don’t plan. "The interior finish is a vessel to showcse the owner's carefully curated art and furniture." -Charlie Moore, Moore Architects, PC. As with the Vita Chair, their home began with a chance encounter. One day, while out for a drive at the height of the pandemic, the couple spotted a modest property for sale near the Potomac River. The location was prime, and the original house was charming, but it was cramped, dark, and outdated. Enter Charlie Moore of Moore Architects PC. Together with the owners, the team of architects, designers, and builders assembled by Moore Architects set out to create a new home that would do justice to the lot and the owners’ intentions. The goals were to design a dwelling that was large enough without intruding on the neighborhood; to combine modern forms with traditional local styling; and to provide interior spaces for the owners’ sizable art and furniture collections. The resulting collaboration gave birth to an award-winning 4800 square-foot house that serves as the perfect stage for those collections—and for their Thos. Moser furniture, in particular. Above: The open dining area and kitchen feature the Aria Chairs, Oval Ring Dining Table, and Coal Shovel Stools. Below: A custom Crescent Side Hutch in figured maple, Coal Shovel Stools, and an Edo Studio Chair in cherry. “Their favorite Moser piece? “That’s tough,” says Anne. “We really love them all, but for sheer elegance, I’d say the Aria chairs. They’re exquisite.” Primary Bedroom: Vita Bed and Vita Side Cube in cherry. Working with the Georgetown showroom, the couple gradually filled the new house with a remarkable collection of Thos. Moser furniture. Here, old and new Moser pieces blend seamlessly with family heirlooms and with what Anne refers to as “souvenirs” from their years abroad. “I wanted furniture that would stand up to our art and the Moore-designed interiors, without overwhelming or feeling trendy,” says Anne. “What I love about Thos. Moser: I love the beautiful materials, the craftsmanship—the joinery! It’s all about making good things that last. The living room, grounded by rich walnut tones, is warm and invites conversation. In the dining room, a pair of antique French candlesticks feels right at home on the walnut Oval Ring table. A custom-figured maple case sits casually below an early twentieth-century Hawaiian aquatint and across the room from an old family cedar chest. The loft, once just extra space, is now a sanctuary, filled with a Vita Three Place Sofa, Element Credenza, and Cumberland Chair, NYPL Branch Swivel Chair, and the iconic Chaise. In the small spare bedroom, Anne’s mother’s portrait gazes down on the Studio Bed in cherry. The overall effect is interiors that are meaningful, harmonious, and quietly elegant. When asked what guided their furniture selections, Anne explained that her initial criterion was mainly cosmetic: Does it look good? Does it fit the space? “It’s a curse,” she confesses, referring to her connoisseur’s eye. She spent her formative years in Europe, where, as a child, she accompanied her parents to countless galleries, palaces, cathedrals, and gardens. “Too many,” she says. “My mother was a great enthusiast of art and architecture!” “Once you buy your first Thomas Moser piece, it becomes nearly impossible to turn back. The quality, the design, the philosophy behind each creation—it all becomes an essential part of how you experience your home,” says Anne. Above: Custom Crescent Dresser in figured maple. The furniture also had to meet the couple’s high standards of quality and comfort–plus pass the “legacy” test: Would their daughter want the furniture someday? This past fall, they had the chance to answer that question when they offered their original dining table and chairs to their daughter and son-in-law. “What a pleasure it was to sit with them this past Thanksgiving at the very same Moser table and chairs that our daughter grew up with,” says Anne. What’s next for the couple? Nothing too ambitious, they say. They hope to travel and see more of their family and friends, who are scattered here and abroad. “But it’s so nice to have a place to come home to, filled with the things you love.” Including, of course, that first Vita Chair.
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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.
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A Designer's Touch: Where Craftsmanship Meets Personality
Charlie and Maureen chose Thos. Moser furniture to celebrate the craftsmanship of Maine’s artists, blending beauty with meaningful heritage.
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