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When Davita "Dede" Nowland started scavenging for derelict wooden boats, she
wasn't planning on creatively recycling them into nautical furniture and
starting a business; she was looking for a coffee table for her waterfront
condo in Marblehead, MA.
A lifelong sailor, Davita wanted something for her home that would
remind her of the sea and connect her with the water.
She envisioned a coffee table where you looked through glass at the
ribs of a wooden sailboat. The ribs are their heart and soul.
A graduate from University of Rhode Island's College of Resource
Development, Nowland marketed boats, yacht charters and taught sailing in
between yacht deliveries on the Atlantic Ocean. Later a graduate of The Simmons College MBA program, she worked in
marketing and sales.
In search of fairer breezes and clearer skies, Davita created a
business that incorporates her love of the ocean, woodworking, the working
waterfront, wooden boats and the treasure hunter in all of us.
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About Us
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This is the first coffee table created from the Hinckley DULCINEA
which resides at the Nowland home.
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Many of Nauticals' major pieces are the
result of collaboration between Davita Nowland and David
Montgomery, a 3rd generation boat builder.
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Davita Nowland (center) and friends making their debut as exhibitors at the 2003 Newport Boat Show where they won the Steve
Collins Award for Best Booth.
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Most of the boats used as Nauticals of Marblehead's raw materials are
50-75 years old and measure from about 28 to 45 feet.
DULCINEA was the first boat, and the one that inspired Davita to follow
this course.
Nauticals of Marblehead is located on the 2nd floor in the Old &
Historic District of Marblehead at 128 Washington Street, above the charming nautical retail shop
"Ship Shape" where several of their coffee tables, bars and
chart trays are available for sale.
This 2nd floor workshop is busy, unfussy, and fun. There are usually
several projects underway, finished tables and gifts casually displayed, and
lots of pieces of boats waiting to become one of Davita's functional and
artistic creations.
Most Saturdays and weekday afternoons you can find Davita and her four-pawed
assistant, Scout, entertaining visitors.
Nauticals' hours are irregular so best to call ahead (781-639-0227).
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