Bright Spot
Shop Talk | Amy Dutton Home
You never know what you are going to find when you walk into Amy Dutton Home, a village shop in Kittery, but you are guaranteed to discover something unique to brighten up your home.
Amy Dutton, owner of the studio-meets-retail-store bearing her name, offers a line of paper goods and textiles showcasing her designs, sofas, mudroom fixtures, bedding, paintings, and much more. There is a decidedly rich and personal touch to every item in this carefully curated shop.
Just off to the right of the entrance, a light-filled room seems to beckon—anchored by a sleek velvet sofa, a large, round ottoman that doubles as a coffee table, and nesting occasional tables, it is filled with plenty of artsy accessories.
The charmingly restored Colonial (which Dutton purchased from an elderly woman who had owned it for decades) has the feel of a real home and is merchandised according to purpose: living room, dining room, mudroom, kitchen, bedrooms, and so on. The basement even has garden products, including lovely—and very popular—terrariums and offers community classes to teach the art of creating your own.
Customers can browse products on all three floors, and there are designated areas for design professionals and architectural clients. All are welcome. Dutton says she views Dutton Home as a destination where clients and shoppers can happily coexist. It’s a spot where you might find someone shopping for a hostess gift or a homeowner meeting with Dutton and her team to conceive renovations on their home.
A Berkeley, California, native, Dutton was inspired to open the shop based on her belief that architecture, interior design, and landscaping should be integrated and seamless. By offering clients plenty of ideas, products, colors, and patterns that could go into their home, she makes the process easy and fun. Her interest in thinking about every square inch of space and being surrounded by things she loves drove her also to expand her architecture business one year ago.
The shop is well stocked with Dutton’s wonderfully colorful, graphic textiles, pillows, bags, and paper collection (which she designs upstairs in her studio and sells to wholesale clients as well) plus selected rugs, furnishings, mod lighting, and accessories culled from near and far. Look for occasional events at Dutton Home that showcase various artists on display.
Room by room, there are little compilations of like items and unusual, eclectic, and sophisticated finds. You’ll find lots of Maine art, kids’ products, bath products, jewelry, and items to peruse.
Shoppers and clients can sit in the latest upholstered pieces, touch pillows and throws, and experiment with hundreds of fabric swatches, along with wallpaper and rug samples to fine-tune their house projects.
Asked to describe her aesthetic, Dutton doesn’t hesitate: “Fresh, inspired by nature, and unique,” she responds. “Our products are thoughtful from many perspectives, including cost and scalability. You’ll find a great selection of things that work well in a smaller footprint. And they blend with everything from midcentury modern to coastal cottage.”
Dutton’s design choices move beyond what you’ll find in catalogs and big-box stores. “My brand translates as easy, comfortable, and flexible,” says Dutton. “We pay attention to scale and offer unique, personal products to create a cultivated, well-loved home.”
She loves to upcyle and uses salvaged materials on several pieces on display—as seen in the sliding barn door made with a reclaimed barn board from Kennebunk’s Old House Parts Company.
So when you get outlet ennui (who doesn’t?) or are staying in or near Kittery, get lost in this wonderful shop. The collection is lovely, and every nook and cranny is worth discovering. You’ll find plenty you didn’t know you needed, and a more modern, sophisticated version of so many things you might already have. Bonus: The shop’s location on Kittery Foreside means it is within walking distance of other must-check-out spots (see Dutton’s hit list).
A little more shop talk.
WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF?
Hiking the White Mountains, playing in the garden, or walking the beach with my family and dog.
FAVORITE KITTERY FORESIDE SPOTS?
Fort Foster (hands down), Seapoint Beach, Rachael Carson National Wildlife Refuge, AJ’s Pizza, Kate’s Bakery, Tulsi, Black Birch, Anju, Wallingford Dram, Golden Harvest, and Beach Pea Bakery.
Inspiration?
Elements of architecture balanced with nature.
BEST DESIGN ADVICE?
Less is more. Stay simple. Always listen to your gut and make sure that you love, love what is in your home.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Yes, we are really excited to launch our bridal and gift registry. Check us out online!