Easy Living

Deck Dock’s team, left to right: Mary Bourdon, Lynne Wardlaw, Sally Bourdon, Jane Williamson, Hilda Lyon. Anne Cahill, not shown.

Care-free, sun-filled days — nowhere is that feeling stronger than at Deck Dock Home & Garden in Sunapee. Located in a restored barn, Deck Dock offers quality outdoor furniture and accessories guaranteed to foster easy summer living.

Located in a restored barn, Deck Dock sells mostly American-made furniture.

“We sell mostly American-made furniture from companies we have done business with for years,” says Lynne Wardlaw, owner and co-founder of Deck Dock along with her business partner and spouse Sally Bourdon. “These companies have a long history of crafting beautiful, durable pieces, and some have been around for over a hundred years.”

Visitors to Deck Dock appreciate not only the broad spectrum of offerings, but also the tasteful vignettes that Wardlaw, Bourdon and their team create. Furniture groupings show how different pieces create outdoor environments and how an accent table, firepit or throw pillows might pull things together.

The creative approach is no accident — Wardlaw trained as a graphic designer and photographer, and Bourdon is an artist specializing in archival framing. The Bourdon family has been in the furniture business, including manufacturing, since the early 20th century.

Wardlaw and Bourdon never set out to sell furniture, but after living in California, Bourdon returned to her New Hampshire roots, and the pair wanted to be self-employed. They set up shop in Bourdon’s grandfather’s building in Sunapee Harbor, finding success selling gardening items and home goods. Then the big red barn came up for sale. Although it needed work, it seemed like the perfect location and had room to grow. In 2008, they made the move and have not looked back.

“We started selling Adirondack chairs, and couldn’t believe how well they sold,” Wardlaw says. “We were making more on a handful of furniture sales then we were on other items. We also live in an area where there are many very nice second homes. More than ever, people want to create lovely outdoor living spaces, and we help them do that.”

One of the things that sets Deck Dock apart is the experience and expertise that Wardlaw, Bourdon and their team provide.

“It can be overwhelming for a client to choose what furniture to buy,” Wardlaw says. “They need to consider the look, what types of pieces suit their lifestyle and what fits in their space. We help them answer those questions and build an outdoor space that works for them. We provide color samples of fabrics and materials so they can coordinate color schemes with what they have. It generally takes two visits for people to finalize a purchase, from the initial meeting and look-around to settling on what works.”

Deck Dock’s diversity of styles is another reason the shop is now celebrating 25 successful years. “Many clients want outdoor furnishings that complement their indoor furnishings as the indoor dining/living areas often flow out onto decks or patios,” Wardlaw says. “While they may not seek an exact match, they want something compatible and with our selection we make that possible.”

Wardlaw and Bourdon are excited for the growing options in outdoor furnishings.

“Twenty-five years ago, it was just patio furniture, but now you can create a complete outdoor environment with pizza ovens, fire pits, televisions, carpets and more,” Wardlaw says. “Today’s cushions and upholstery are durable, easy to clean and don’t fade. Outdoor living has never been so easy. People love the idea of an outdoor room, and that’s especially true up here, where summer is short.”

For more information on Deck Dock Home & Garden visit www.deckdock.com or call 603-763-3266.