New Hampshire Magazine September 2017

603 LIVING HOME
Block-print organiccotton
flannel bedding
Garnet Hill
Franconia-based Garnet Hill began in 1976
in a humble sugar shed home belonging to
Grant Dowse and Pegge Kirschner. Dowse
and Kirschner had fallen in love with flannel
sheeting while camping in England a few
years prior, but were unable to find an
American company that could provide a
product of the same high quality and comfort
they’d found abroad.
The two decided to start their own
company as an importer of fine English
flannel sheets and named it Garnet Hill after
a nearby rise of land. Working out of their
plumbing-less cottage, they placed a 1-inch
ad in Yankee magazine and created their
first mail-order catalog — a small die-cut
brochure complete with flannel swatches to
show how wonderful the fabric felt. Orders
immediately began to roll in.
Garnet Hill’s success, fueled by Dowse
and Kirschner’s charismatic leadership,
started a small-town economic boom in
Franconia. Sadly, both were killed in a
small plane crash in 1985. The company
was sold to HSN’s Cornerstone division
(which also includes the brands Frontgate,
Ballard Designs and Grandin Road),
but has maintained its presence in New
Hampshire, with 160 employees still at the
headquarters in Franconia and another 40
employees in Exeter.
Since the company’s founding 40 years ago,
Garnet Hill’s offerings have vastly expanded,
but they remain dedicated to quality. The
catalog still boasts the famous flannel sheets
and pajamas, as well as a select assortment
of high-end blankets, clothing, rugs and
more made from cashmere, linen, and other
unusual fabrics and textiles. New last year,
Garnet Hill has also launched pop-up and
seasonal stores to acquaint potential buyers,
designers and marketers with this too-longkept-secret
source and give them the handson
Garnet Hill experience that Dowse and
Kirschner created with their first catalog all
those years ago.
Some of my favorites:
Eileen Fisher rippled organic
cotton coverlet and shams
Machine washable, hard-wearing,
yet oh-so-soft!
Block-print organic-cotton
flannel bedding
The flannel sheets that made Garnet
Hill famous in a fresh, boho style
Printed canvas storage bin
Fun storage solutions for toys or towels
Company C
Christine and Walter Chapin founded
Company C, the manufacturer of colorful,
handcrafted home furnishings, in Concord
in 1994. It started as a one-room garage operation
dedicated to “sharing the joys of colorful
living.” In the 20 years since, Company
courtesy photos
THIS AIN’T YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S ART IN THE PARK.
78 nhmagazine.com | September 2017
ART JAM
BRIDGE FEST
Bridge St. Bridge / Manchester, NH
10AM – 3PM
• Live music all day
• Local artists & interactive art
• Large murals & graffiti walls
• Aerialists & dance performances
• Flavorful foods
ArtJamBridgeFest.com
Sept. 23 rd , 2017