LAKEPORT >> You might have seen them during a visit to the hospital or at the fire station, or even at the grocery store. You might even know them by name as your local medical assistant Paige, and firefighter and paramedic Josh. What some may not know, however, is that they are also the owners of one of the newest businesses in Lakeport: H Squared Designs.
Before any ideas of opening a shop surfaced, husband Josh Hotchkiss and wife Paige Hotchkiss were on the search to find a home in Kelseyville during the winter season of 2013 after Josh Hotchkiss was hired to work at the Kelseyville Fire Protection District. Paige Hotchkiss then settled in to work at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. They spent some years adjusting to what they said was “a totally new culture” as the previous couple from Vacaville settled into their new home and careers.
Then in January of 2017, the couple was convinced by their friends at J. Gorman Fine Jewelry, who’s shop is only two units down from H Squared Designs, to open a shop in Lakeport.
“We decided to open a business after talking to our friends Jessica and Henry at J. Gorman Fine Jewelry,” said Paige Hotchkiss. They told the Hotchkiss “about the amazing community of Lakeport and the business opportunities that opening a store in Lakeport would afford [them].”
It all started during a dinner at the Hotchkiss’ home. “Josh showed my husband their garage,” said Jessica Knoop. “Their garage was filled with beautiful handmade pieces. So, my husband (Henry Knoop) said, ‘Hey, you can open a business with these pieces.’” Jessica Knoop explained that a business like H Squared Designs could bring a new exposure to Main Street. “We can relate to their work since we both work with our hands. Handmade work is very special,” she added.
The Hotchkiss’ were sold. They knew their strong love of creating had the potential to turn into a business. Soon after, they held their grand opening on April 29.
But what does the duo create that has kept the medical assistant and firefighter just as busy with their shop?
“We specialize in wine barrel furniture and home décor but also love repurposing and refurbishing old pieces of furniture,” said the couple.
When you enter the shop, you’ll notice a strong contrast in wood colors as each piece carefully adorns the store’s white walls. You won’t necessarily find full wine barrels; rather, at a closer look, you’ll see barrel staves or metal rings used to make a bench or candle holder. From wooden dressers to curio cabinets, and rocking chairs to cutting boards, H Squared Designs has all-things handcrafted. Each piece is worked down to its original wood to showcase “the beauty of reclaimed wood resulting in rustic one of a kind piece,” as said by the team on H Squared Designs’ homepage. Rustic design, according to interior design and architecture site HomeDit, embraces nature-inspired textures and has most recently emerged to have a contemporary “fresh and real, light and grounded” feel. With rustic, farmhouse, and distressed décor trends still at a high, H Squared Designs has created a variety of pieces to fill any trend follower’s dream space.
When it comes down to work, however, the Hotchkiss’ quickly learned that working in a small town and county would result in unique pieces. That is because all of their products are made from locally sourced materials. And because every material, mostly woods, and metals, is used from different places around the County and is treated individually, no one product is identical — an aspect personal to rustic décor.
What has many returning to the shop and pressing into the storefront’s window during closing hours is their ever-changing inventory.
“Our inventory changes every day as we are always working on new projects and putting them in our store,” Paige Hotchkiss said. Wine barrel bars, high chairs, and wine stave chandeliers are among some of the products admired by many since the store’s opening.
Though each piece is unique, the Hotchkiss’ can agree that it doesn’t get any more unique that when creating custom pieces. The couple receives several custom orders monthly. One of their favorite orders was a tall wine barrel bistro table and accompanying stool.
Josh Hotchkiss recalled another one of their favorite projects. He said, “When the customer requested that we incorporate her family’s cattle brand in the design, I loved being able to collaborate with the customer to create a custom piece.”
H Squared Designs, titled as such for both “Mister and Misses Hotchkiss,” are located at 190 North Main St. in Lakeport. They are opened Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reach the Hotchkiss’ contact them at 707-685-2885 or at info@HSDesigns.co
