Big Idea: Spitzmiller’s Light Shines Bright
When Christopher Spitzmiller ’94 graduated from St. Lawrence with his degree in fine arts, the ceramicist knew he was destined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and run his own business. As he reflects on his time at St. Lawrence, it’s with appreciation for the freedom he was given to explore ceramics and experiment with new ideas. After attending a summer program at the Rhode Island School of Design, he was hooked on the medium.
Approximately one White House events internship, one Washington, D.C. gallery showing, and one Hamptons event later, Spitzmiller began creating one-of-a-kind lamps for luxury design clients and distinguished American homes, including five White House Administrations and the Blair House, the president’s official guest residence.
Though Spitzmiller considers himself more of a product person than an artist, take one quick scroll through his personal Instagram page and that of his meticulously landscaped Clove Brook Farm, and there's no denying that the artful approach to everything he creates. Whether its gardening, entertaining, cooking, beekeeping, or tending to his geese and sheep, Spitzmiller captures it all in his 2021 book, A Year at Clove Brook Farm (Rizzoli, 2021), the foreword for which was written by Martha Stewart.
“Everything I do is instinctive—there is no real business plan,” Spitzmiller admits. He has achieved great success following creative ideas that excite him and figuring things out as he goes. Yet, the very practical thread through his career seems to be a focus on the business fundamentals: quality and service. “I tell anyone who works for me, ‘We sell lamps; we don’t sell excuses.’”
That attention to detail and service is likely why Spitzmiller’s lamps have been featured in so many design publications, including Architectural Digest, Veranda, Town & Country, and House Beautiful. He and his husband Anthony Bellomo, a landscape architect and owner of Orangerie Garden Boutique in Millbrook, N.Y., were also featured in the Real Estate section of The New York Times where they shared entertaining tips on decorating with flowers. And, Spitzmiller has helped draw a capacity crowd to two design panels in New York City where Laurentians got a chance to learn about his approach to design and business. He received an Alumni Citation in 2016.
The tastemaker seems to tend to his business relationships like he does his gardens—with consistent nurturing. “Persistence is the key to everything,” Spitzmiller says.
