MEET OUR MAKER DBO HOME
Our global community of like-minded partners work in all kinds of materials all over the world, from Argentina, Honduras, and Morocco to Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The latter is home state to our friends Dana Brandwein and Daniel Oates of DBO Home. We checked in with the husband-and-wife team to see how they’re staying fulfilled, optimistic, and joyful during these challenging times.
Made Solid
ABOUT DBO HOME
Not so long ago, Dana Brandwein and Daniel Oates led typically atypical New York City lives with careers to match. Oates was a well-known sculptor, while Brandwein had spent 20 years in the record industry. Eventually, their professional lives merged and they established DBO Home, their line of premium home goods based in Sharon, Connecticut. Dana works out of her ceramics studio and Daniel has established his sculpture and furniture atelier in a nearby barn. Together, they develop pieces including the porcelain Battuto vases. The Battutos — the word means “beaten” in Italian — are natural-born showstoppers, with the regal stance of faceted jewels and the inherent warmth of organic material.
Le Feu de L’Eau

We caught up with Dana on her front porch as she was planning to plant her vegetable garden.

What’s your biggest challenge as a maker?

It’s two-fold. 1. Financial and 2. Focus. A flood of ideas in the morning from new product ideas to how to market them are easily stymied by an inability to focus. I can be quite overwhelmed by the situation. These two challenges are frustrating. So, I’m trying to slow down. Not just react and allow myself to do what I can do. I’ve been connecting more with our community, showing a bit more of who we are lately and more of our process than I did before. Also reaching out more to friends and colleagues for input and balance.

How are you staying strong and resilient?

​Again, I’ve been allowing myself to slow down and accept that I might not be able to do all the things I feel I should be doing. And doing the best I can to let go of the idea that I can control things that are truly out of my control. At the same time, I’m open to doing new things or adjusting how I do my work.

"MUSIC, EXERCISE, COOKING AND MY DOGS ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP ME CALM, BALANCED AND GROUNDED. MY FIRST TRUE LOVE IS MUSIC AND I’VE GONE BACK TO LISTENING TO THE MUSIC THAT FORMED MY BEING WHEN I WAS YOUNG, AND IT FEELS REALLY GOOD."

I also love to cook and I’m taking the days when we are running low on ingredients as great creative challenges to see what I can come up with, so I can keep my shopping to once a week. I’ve found lots of workouts on YouTube along with live Facebook workouts on the weekend with my brother-in-law (a personal trainer). And our two dogs, Brooklyn and Finn, are just pure joy and comfort.

Where do you find moments of joy?

​Moments of joy have come from seeing friends from 6 feet away on a walk, or a friend dropping off some treats from a farm, or a Zoom party with my former Elektra Records colleagues. In those moments I realize we’re not alone and we won’t be by ourselves forever. Cooking and plating have nourished my creativity. I do it for myself and my husband. No pressure, just freedom to make something special for someone I love.

What are you grateful for? Any special silver linings?

​I’m truly grateful that we and our families are healthy. But also, that so many people are showing us great support during this unfortunate time. The silver lining has certainly been an increased closeness to others and great acts of kindness.