Somehow I feel much better about the world knowing that somewhere, on a 65-acre former dairy farm that overlooks Cayuga Lake in central New York, a little bit of whimsy is percolating. It is there, amongst the Scottish Highland cattle, roosting birds, picturesque gardens and a plethora of hay fields that the artisans of MacKenzie-Childs are fashioning new delights for the table, gifts and home furnishings.

Celebrated for creating handcrafted ceramics, the company also features hand-decorated home furnishings and other one-of-a-kind collectables. How do you tell a true piece? The tell-tell sign of a MacKenzie-Childs treasure is its signature black and white Courtly Check pattern incorporated into each design.

Images via MacKenzie-Childs