Written by Carolinne Griffin
The makers behind Red House, the popular Vermont brand of waxed canvas bags, have quietly launched another enterprise that’s due for a proper introduction. Vermont Linen Company started in November 2020 after the husband-and-wife team of Matt and Britt Witt began getting inquiries for face masks. With the bag business going at full tilt, and a new production studio in Weybridge equipped with sewing machines, needles and thread, another cut-and-sew operation seemed doable. After purchasing European linen from their fabric source, Britt’s love for the material was reignited along with the long-held dream to start a housewares shop. “I was overcome with enthusiasm for linen. And I love home goods. I just had to see this through.”
Vermont Linen Company’s line includes earth-toned handmade linens, from table runners and napkins, to market totes and aprons. The linens are accompanied on their e-commerce site by a thoughtful curation of products that are as beautiful as they are functional—hand-forged cheese knives, Brooklyn candles, a walnut spoon collection, French soaps and more. And all of it can be found in the Witt’s own kitchen. “I just drew inspiration from what I use on a daily basis,” says Britt, who is passionate about homemaking.
The Witts attribute the immediate success of Vermont Linen Company to the support of their Red House customers, a loyal base (nearly 25K followers on Instagram) who appreciate the brand aesthetic and share an affinity for quality housewares. “[We] started Vermont Linen in a very quiet manner. It’s been a labor of love and now I’ve gotta find out how to introduce it to Vermont and the world.” Reader, consider yourself introduced.