Freedman's of Nantucket
“There’s a little bit of craziness to creativity—a crazy energy—when my creative juices get flowing, I just go on and on, designing, sketching, creating.”
Don Freedman may describe his creative process this way, but there is nothing crazy about his business sense or about his Nantucket shop, now in its 29th season.
Freedman’s of Nantucket (formerly Expressions of Don Freedman) opened on Nantucket on Old South Wharf in 1981, and just a few years ago he moved to more spacious in-town digs at 14 Centre Street. Even with far more space to fill, Freedman manages to do so with decorative accessories, tapestries, sculpture, furniture, mirrors, clocks, and desk accessories that are all unique, and have a warmth and spirit that would enhance any home.
Everything in the shop has been designed by Don Freedman and is made by carefully chosen craftspeople around the world. Because each item is made by hand, Freedman explained, there is “a warmth and an honesty” to the pieces that you don’t often find in today’s market. From the oversize clocks for which he is so well known to the delicate wooden carvings, to the stunning bone and horn containers and boxes, the items in Freedman’s capture the imagination.
The challenge, he says, is how to make an everyday item interesing. “People don’t come to Nantucket to buy the same old—that’s why we offer creative and beautiful items.” He even has a variety of classic games—shut the box, backgammon, cribbage—made from burl wood, cherry wood, and water buffalo horn that are unusual and beautiful.
Larger items he has introduced are his leather furniture pieces. These include a nicely detailed cocktail table with drawers, a folding leather bar beautifully crafted with compartments for wine, glassware, spirits, shakers, and other necessities. His new chairs made from leather, wood, and iron, are not only exquisite in their design, but they are supremely comfortable to sit in.
He never stops sketching and designing—the ideas constantly flow. “The more your heart is open, the more creative you can be.” He also loves being in the shop and meeting all the people who stop in. “I’ve made some great friends over the 29 years we’ve had a shop on Nantucket. There are people who come in every season.” Among the many customers are year-round and summer residents, visitors, and celebrities including Vice President Biden, Carly Simon, Stephen Tyler, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Barbra Streisand.
Anyone who stops by between September 2 and Labor Day can mention his annual Labor Day sale and get 30 percent off anything in the store.
Before we ended our chat, Don alluded to some really fun plans he has for his shop this Christmas season. We asked him to describe what he meant, but all he would do is smile. We’ll just have to wait and see!
