Tucked into the mountains of Delaware County is a trove of design-minded studios, showrooms, and shops waiting for aesthetic aficionados to uncover. “Over the past 20 years—and through two books, with a third on the way—I’ve built a loyal following of customers who travel from across the Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and beyond,” says Sean Scherer, owner of Kabinett & Kammer in Franklin. “It’s not just my selection, but also my prices, that draw design lovers and dealers to Delaware County from afar.”
With the county’s charming hamlets offering ample room to create and showcase wares, Delaware County’s blossoming scene of makers and design shops offers plenty to explore during a weekend getaway to the Great Western Catskills.
A Tour for Vintage and Antique Finds Galore
At the newly opened Estro in Andes, Sara Sharpe and her husband Harry Benson have transformed a 1920s garage into a showroom of vintage pieces inspired by French, Italian, and Scandinavian traditions. In Delhi, The Stonehouse is a haven for vintage Moroccan rugs, plus contemporary artisan decor. Head west to Walton to find Doog Goods, a hybrid gallery, cafe, and showroom for designer furniture and decor run by the duo behind award-winning design firm Studio Chillbillies.
Just north, two must-visit destinations anchor Franklin’s emerging reputation as a design hub. LAVA atelier, the seasonal storefront of interior designer Meg Lavalette, showcases a selection of vintage and antique furniture, lighting, and artwork from her travels alongside locally crafted pieces. Down the road, Scherer’s cult favorite contemporary curiosity shop Kabinett & Kammer offers a gallery of antiques, natural wonders, and art that’s sure to wow.
Head up to Stamford to The Antique Knot for thousands of high-quality antique rugs, carpets, and kilims, then cap off the trip just down Main Street at Tandem Antiques & Design, whose owners’ two decades in the design trade rewards visitors with a stunning mix of antiques, lighting, fine art, pottery, and more—plus an appointment-only warehouse.
Other Design Names to Seek Out
Delaware County is also home to many creatives and makers with studios that are open with limited hours, but whose online stores are always open. In Delhi, the team at Stone & Sawyer, led by artisans David Ryan and Julian Peploe, design and produce small-batch stoneware lamps that marry modern style with timeless craftsmanship. In Hancock, Trout Brook Studios—the shared workshop of furniture designer Vallessa Monk and architect Lars Haga—combine wood and metal with form and function to create one-of-a-kind interiors and exteriors.
No matter how many treasures visitors uncover, the Great Western Catskills is sure to provide a rewarding getaway for style seekers in search of one-of-a-kind pieces with a creative soul. “Everyone who owns a business here brings an original perspective,” says Estro’s Sharpe. “We don’t do it for the clout or the money. It’s a true labor of love, and visitors feel that authenticity in every interaction.”
This article appears in Fall 2025/Winter 2026.
