Hawkins New York: Crafting Modern Homewares with Intentional Design

The Story Behind Hawkins New York: A Modern Design Movement

In the heart of Hudson, New York, a small shop stands as a testament to creativity, intentional design, and the transformative power of leaving the city behind. Hawkins New York, founded by Nick Blaine and Paul Denoly, represents more than just a homeware brand—it’s a lifestyle philosophy that celebrates the intersection of form and function. The story of how two Manhattan natives built one of the most celebrated design businesses in the Hudson Valley is both inspiring and deeply rooted in serendipity and shared passion for beautiful, accessible home goods.

From Manhattan to Hudson Valley: A Life-Changing Decision

The journey of Hawkins New York began with a decision that would change everything for Nick Blaine and Paul Denoly. Both were established professionals in New York City—Nick with a background in retail and visual merchandising, and Paul as a retail buyer. However, the allure of the Hudson Valley would prove irresistible.

Nick recalls the pivotal moment: “We came up on a Friday, went to a wedding on Saturday, and started looking for houses on Sunday.” This spontaneous weekend trip marked the beginning of a transformation that many New Yorkers experience when discovering the Hudson Valley’s charm and natural beauty. What started as weekend visits quickly escalated. “The weekends quickly became three-day weekends, and then I stopped wanting to go back to the city at all,” Nick remembers. While Paul continued his work as a retail buyer in Manhattan, Nick made the bold decision to manage their emerging design business from their new home in the Hudson Valley, setting the stage for what would become a thriving creative enterprise.

The Unexpected Birth of a Brand

The founding of Hawkins New York wasn’t part of a meticulously planned business strategy. Instead, it emerged organically from a moment of generosity and shared creativity. About six years before establishing their full retail presence, Nick and Paul were dining with friends who worked as lighting makers. These designers were overwhelmed with demand and couldn’t keep up with production. Nick and Paul volunteered to help, never anticipating that this casual offer would spark the beginning of a design empire.

This initial collaboration led to something bigger. Nick, who maintained connections from his alma mater Rhode Island School of Design, began reaching out to other talented designers. What started as a side project quickly consumed their entire house as inventory piled up. The duo realized they had stumbled onto something special: the ability to curate, produce, and sell beautifully designed homeware at scale. Within months, Hawkins New York evolved from a hobby into a legitimate business venture, initially operating out of their home in Hudson before eventually opening their first retail location.

Design Philosophy: Modern, Timeless, and Intentional

At the core of Hawkins New York’s success is a clear and compelling design philosophy. Nick describes their aesthetic as “modern and timeless—having both depth and warmth.” This balance is not accidental; it reflects the founders’ commitment to creating pieces that transcend fleeting trends while maintaining contemporary relevance. Every product that bears the Hawkins New York name is carefully considered, designed with the understanding that beautiful things enhance daily life.

The brand’s approach to design is collaborative and multifaceted. While Hawkins New York initially produced work for other celebrated designers like Workstead, Alyson Fox, and MINNA, the brand eventually shifted toward creating their own line of elevated basics. This transition marked a maturation of their vision—moving from production service providers to independent designers with a distinctive voice. Today, most Hawkins products are designed in-house by Nick and Paul themselves, ensuring consistency in quality and aesthetic coherence across their entire collection.

The Product Range: From Everyday Essentials to Unexpected Luxuries

Hawkins New York’s product portfolio reflects their commitment to accessible luxury and functional beauty. Their collection includes:

– Dinnerware collections featuring dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, mugs, and serving platters- Handblown glassware and chroma drinkware- Enameled bowls and serving pieces- Recycled glassware collections- Artisan candles that have garnered widespread acclaim- Luxurious bedding in stonewashed linen- Handcrafted wooden spoons and kitchen tools- Marble and stone kitchen accessories- Home textiles and waffle-weave towels- Decorative items including candlesticks and vasesWhat distinguishes these products is their thoughtful design. Rather than following mass-market trends, each piece originates from a genuine need identified in Nick and Paul’s own home. This approach ensures that every Hawkins product solves a real problem while maintaining aesthetic excellence. As Nick notes, the dinnerware collection is “a great way to eat a pork chop on the couch without flinging half of it onto the fabric”—demonstrating that beauty and practicality are not mutually exclusive.

The Hawkins New York x Food52 Collaboration: An Exclusive Dinnerware Line

One of the most significant developments in Hawkins New York’s history has been their exclusive collaboration with Food52, the beloved online food and home marketplace. This partnership resulted in a brand-new dinnerware line designed specifically for Food52’s discerning customer base. The project represents nearly a year of meticulous development and demonstrates the depth of the relationship between the two brands.

The dinnerware collection, which became available exclusively through Food52, exemplifies the Hawkins design ethos. The pieces maintain the modern, timeless quality that defines the brand while introducing new shapes, proportions, and finishes developed specifically for this collaboration. The collection includes comprehensive tableware: dinner and salad plates perfectly sized for various courses, cereal bowls for breakfast occasions, shallow bowls for serving side dishes, and substantial serving bowls for entertaining. Additionally, the line features artisan mugs designed for comfort and daily use, along with versatile platters suitable for both casual family meals and formal entertaining.

This collaboration was meaningful for both parties. Food52 has long been an admirer of Hawkins’ work, having featured their products in numerous stories and collaborations. For Hawkins, partnering with Food52 provided an opportunity to introduce their carefully considered design approach to a broader audience of design-conscious home enthusiasts and cooking enthusiasts who appreciate quality and intentionality in their household purchases.

Expansion and Growth: From Hudson to National Presence

Since its founding in 2013, Hawkins New York has experienced remarkable growth while maintaining its commitment to quality and design excellence. The brand has evolved from a home-based operation to a multi-location retail presence. Today, Hawkins New York operates several brick-and-mortar locations that serve as both retail spaces and design showcases:

– The original Hudson, New York flagship store, which remains the creative heart of the operation- A West Village location in Manhattan, bringing their aesthetic to the neighborhood where it all began- A recently opened location in Los Angeles, housed within the ROW DTLA arts and culture collectiveEach location reflects the Hawkins philosophy of curated design. Beyond featuring their own products, the stores stock carefully selected items from other artisans, creating an ecosystem of elevated, accessible home goods. The Los Angeles location, in particular, demonstrates the brand’s national appeal and its ability to resonate with design communities beyond the Northeast.

The Home as Inspiration: Transforming a Historic Farmhouse

Much of Hawkins New York’s design inspiration originates from Nick and Paul’s personal residence—an eighteenth-century Dutch farmhouse set on twenty-five acres in Hudson. The couple purchased the property in a significantly deteriorated state and have spent years restoring and modernizing it into an elegant, contemporary home. This restoration project has become legendary in design circles, featured in prestigious publications like Sight Unseen and Remodelista.

The farmhouse serves as a living laboratory for Hawkins’ designs. Every product ultimately reflects a need or desire that emerged from their own domestic life. The couple’s willingness to experiment—from painting entire rooms in saturated colors to selecting perfect marble cutting boards to wrapping themselves in mustard-colored linen bedding—drives innovation in their product line. This deeply personal approach ensures that Hawkins products are never abstract design exercises but rather solutions born from authentic living.

What Sets Hawkins New York Apart

In a crowded marketplace of homeware brands, Hawkins New York maintains distinctive positioning through several key factors:

–

In-house design

: Most products are designed by Nick and Paul themselves, ensuring cohesive vision-

Quality materials

: The brand prioritizes responsibly sourced, durable materials that age beautifully-

Functionality first

: Every piece balances beauty with genuine utility-

Accessible luxury

: Hawkins products offer elevated design without prohibitive pricing-

Personal curation

: The retail spaces reflect the founders’ aesthetic sensibilities and values-

Artisan partnerships

: Selective collaborations with other makers elevate the overall brand ecosystemThe brand has been often imitated but never duplicated, according to those familiar with the market. This durability of their aesthetic speaks to the fundamental strength of their design principles and their understanding of what makes a home feel intentional and beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hawkins New York’s design philosophy?

Hawkins New York focuses on creating products that are modern and timeless with depth and warmth. Their designs emerge from genuine needs in daily life and prioritize the intersection of form and function.

Where is Hawkins New York based?

While the brand was founded and is primarily headquartered in Hudson, New York, Hawkins New York now operates retail locations in Hudson, Manhattan’s West Village, and Los Angeles.

Who founded Hawkins New York?

Nick Blaine and Paul Denoly, former Manhattan residents with backgrounds in retail and visual merchandising, founded Hawkins New York in 2013.

What products does Hawkins New York make?

Hawkins New York creates a comprehensive range of homeware including dinnerware, glassware, bedding, candles, kitchen tools, and decorative accessories. Most products are designed in-house by the founders.

What is the Food52 collaboration?

Hawkins New York designed an exclusive dinnerware collection for Food52 that took nearly a year to develop. The collection includes dinner plates, bowls, mugs, and serving pieces featuring the brand’s signature modern aesthetic.

Are Hawkins New York products expensive?

Hawkins New York positions itself as offering accessible luxury—elevated design at moderate price points rather than exclusive luxury pricing.

Where can I purchase Hawkins New York products?

Products are available through Hawkins New York retail locations, Food52, and various curated home goods retailers. The Food52 exclusive dinnerware line is available directly through Food52.