Artisan Steven Garfield Puts Down Roots with ARBOL Collection

The name Steven Garfield might be familiar with those readers who work in the fashion industry.   For over 20 years Steven and his wife Judy rode the roller coaster of the NY Fashion World.  First with a dress collection under the label Judith Lowe and ultimately as TRIO - the Garfields were dynamic fixtures in fashion during  the early heyday of Soho Loft living in the early 80's when there was no such thing as Gourmet Garage- to say the least.   Fast forward almost 30 years, the children are grown, the duo has sold their fashion company and their Greenwich Village penthouse apartment.  We now find them in historic Hunterdon County, NJ on a 50 acre farm named January.   The Garfields pulled a bit of a Green Acres and headed for the rolling green hills to live a different kind of life.   To her defense - Judy does a hell of a lot more around the farm than Eva Gabor ever did - and I've never seen Steven ride a tractor in a suit!  Also, I must say that Hunterdon is no Hooterville.. after all the local riding club was the choice of Jackie O.  So actually there is no comparison.. but I couldn't resist the comparison - I love that show! To watch the iconic intro to the show - "Green Acres".   It is with great pleasure Steven unveils a new venture involving an old love - ARBOL.

The graceful 20-piece collection is comprised of dining, occasional and coffee tables, cabinets and desks, chairs and stools,  made from the indigenous species of woods found from nearby farms in what is America’s birthplace. Each piece exudes a purity and natural beauty that is becoming the hallmark of a new era of artisan furniture. Made of walnut, cherry, apple, butternut and maple, the collection has its roots in the George Nakashima vernacular where Garfield once apprenticed in his youth, but is further evolved by such unique details as cast bronze or etched glass for bases, signature tapered laminated wood legs, and hand hammered wrought iron.  
“We have these beautiful 100-200 year old trees in this area that are coming to the end of their natural life cycle and crying out for some new purpose,” says Garfield. “I’m in awe of what is out here. I love the process of creating something new with these materials; there is a history and a value, as well as a grace, beauty and soul from these trees.”   

Garfield is a creative character and really an interesting person to know.   He is someone who enjoys feeling the sun on his face and the wind in his hair as he spends time with his horses.    Judy is the Yin to his Yang and  the two of them have been balancing each other out for more than 30 years - just saplings compared to those beautiful trees!  Visit January Farm  for more information on one of a kind Arbol creations or the farm's riding facilities.