Experience MacKenzie-Childs

The familiar multi-colored checkerboard of MacKenzie-Childs

The world headquarters of MacKenzie-Childs is located on a 65-acre former dairy farm overlooking Cayuga Lake in quiet Aurora New York. The property is open to the public, and contains a production studio, a beautifully decorated farmhouse, and a retail shop filled with everything MacKenzie-Childs.

What is MacKenzie-Childs?

“… Colorful, hand-made ceramics, enamel ware, glassware, furniture, and home accessories…”

These words understate the vibrant colors and generous attention to detail in every piece.

The store decorated for the holidays.

The on-site production studio is where handmade, hand-decorated majolica pottery, tile, furniture, and home furnishings are crafted over 100 artisans.

MacKenzie-Childs has only been in operation since 1983, but the style seems reminiscent of the Victorian age, with a giant dollop of the crazy spirit of “Alice in Wonderland” mixed in.

“Each piece created by our artisans holds the surprise and joy of the unexpected. Turn over a ceramic mug or platter or chair and you will see the stamps or marks of the artisans who contributed to its creation, to each step in the process.”

Rebecca Proctor, the Creative Director, is the mastermind behind much of the current MacKenzie-Childs style. A glimpse into her creative mind can be found on her Pinterest pages or in her blog, “Chartreuse.”

Preposterous Bench

If you want to see how to “apply” the style you must tour the Farmhouse, which is set on a bluff overlooking Cayuga Lake. This beautiful 15-room home has been completely restored and serves as a showcase of how to decorate. Whether you might be looking for a  “Preposterous Bench,” unique drawer knobs for your bathroom wall, beautiful hand painted shower tiles, a one-of-a-kind lamp finial or a four-poster bed with roosters, it is all on display with a wonderful sense of fun.

The Dining Room of the Farmhouse has a glass-topped table with Cayuga Lake sculpted in relief.

Free tours of the MacKenzie-Childs farmhouse are given seven days a week. Tours, which are about 40 minutes long, begin in the Shop. Individual reservations are recommended but not required. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more. Call 315-364-7123, ext. 1282.

 Directions

The address for the “farm” is 3260 State Route 90, Aurora, NY 13026. For more information, please call 1-888-665-1999.

Fineal Lamp in the Farmhouse

Besides the store in Aurora New York there are also stores in New York City and Palm Beach.

For an even more impressive display of decorating, you can virtually tour the Estate of Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs, in King Ferry, NY, currently on the market for under a million!