Second Life

New graduates, take comfort: Your future may be way ahead of you. Lisa DeLucia and J. Foley followed independent paths after graduating from Massachusetts College of Art in 1984— DeLucia working at Harvard Business School and launching a freelance graphic design business, and Foley pursuing, among other things, window display in New York for Barneys and Macy’s. Over the years, they picked up invaluable skills, talented friends, and business savvy. In 2006, they reconnected and immediately began to brainstorm about starting a painted furniture line. After a year of planning, they founded Tall Tree Guild. “It’s a collective of artists rather than one lone genius,” says DeLucia.

All of their furniture is built in Massachusetts by skilled craftspeople. “We love saying, ‘Made in the USA,’” says Foley. Their stainless steel settle, pictured above, is handmade and weighs about 350 pounds. It can serve as a very durable bench or, with back cushions removed, an extra bed. In mid-July, they will open a showroom featuring their furniture designs, ceramics, and pillows at 185 Massachusetts Ave. in East Arlington. Tall Tree Guild, 2 Shaker Rd., Ste. D201A, Shirley, 978-425-4332, talltreeguild.com.