The Farmhouse Project
A decade ago, we traded taxis for a pickup truck and left the rush behind for a slower, simpler life in a historic farmhouse in Upstate New York. What began as a personal return to simplicity became The Farmhouse Project — first as a social media platform documenting the restoration of our historic home (that’s still ongoing) and our journey into country living.
It soon grew into a space where we shared our favorite food and cocktail recipes and brought our community together through artisan markets, farm-to-table dinners, and seasonal gatherings. That spirit of hospitality led to Black Walnut — our mercantile and restaurant — where thoughtful design, seasonal cooking, and meaningful connection come to life.
Today, The Farmhouse Project encompasses our exclusive homewares collection, our gatherings, and our spaces — all rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and a slower way of living.
Our Products
Our exclusive homewares collection is inspired by antique forms, early 19th-century design, and the enduring rituals of daily life — setting a proper table, lighting candles at dusk, gathering for a shared meal. Each piece is designed by Shawn, informed by years working in luxury fashion and the home industry, where thoughtful materials, enduring craftsmanship, and lasting design are essential.
Every item is handcrafted by us and our curated team of artisans in New York and across the United States, using locally sourced materials. We approach design and production mindfully, creating in small batches and working as gently on the earth as we can.
These exclusive pieces are available only through our mercantile and online shop — thoughtfully made for those who value tradition, craftsmanship, and the beauty of simple living.
Black Walnut
Inspired by the ancient Black Walnut trees that shade Shawn and Kristofer’s historic farmhouse down the road, Black Walnut Mercantile is a concept space unlike any other, housed in the former 19th-century Delaware Hotel in Callicoon, New York. The space brings together their exclusive handmade homewares collection, a classic cocktail lounge, and a restaurant co-owned by Executive Chef Camille Rodriguez — Shawn’s childhood friend and longtime creative partner in hospitality.
Inside, Roman clay walls, European murals, and grand tin ceilings evoke the elegance of a Regency-era hotel lobby, while antique furnishings invite you to linger. In the open kitchen and dining room, Camille crafts seasonal Mediterranean dishes that celebrate thoughtful ingredients, technique, and the warmth of shared meals — a perfect complement to the space’s sense of history, craft, and quiet luxury.