Pottery shop in Pleasant Unity noted as among nation's best in House Beautiful

A Pleasant Unity pottery studio opened in answer to a retired physician’s passion for pottery has been named to House Beautiful magazine’s list of the best home stores in America.

The store, fdp Studio Shop on Main Street, features pottery created by Francis DeFabo complemented by home decor curated by his wife, Lynn DeFabo.

A retired doctor who practiced obstetrics and gynecology, Francis DeFabo began taking pottery classes in Pittsburgh, Touchstone Center for Crafts in Fayette County and through private instructors to refine his interest in the craft.

He initially worked out of the family garage in Latrobe until the couple spotted the property in Pleasant Unity that would allow for both his creations and home decor to be displayed. Francis DeFabo works on pottery in the bottom section of the 80-year-old structure.

Lynn DeFabo said the building has previously served as the site of a grocery store, a florist, a screen door manufacturer, a video store and most recently a much-loved cafe.

“We renovated the restaurant part of it,” she said. “The bottom section my husband uses to make pottery. His view when he does that is of the mountains, and it’s really gorgeous out here.”

Lynn DeFabo said they’ve traveled to the Hudson Valley in New York and enjoyed visiting the boutiques and shops there.

“People go to that area from New York City almost like people from Pittsburgh would go to Ligonier,” she said. “We gained some inspiration up there.”

The pair makes a list of items that might sell well in the store and also visits the Ligonier Country Market for inspiration and supplier contacts for the home decor items at their shop.

The store is open three days a week and closes in January through March to allow the pair to create and obtain new inventory — and spare them from utility bills that would jump as heat escapes from the large windows at the front of the store.

“We kept the windows because they’re so beautiful, but they’re not well insulated,” she said.

The store is listed among Pennsylvania shops including Buck Mason in Sewickley, Betsu Studio and Yowie stores in Philadelphia, Three Potato Four in Media and Terrain, which has stores in Eastern Pennsylvania as well as others across the country.

Lynn DeFabo said she bakes cookies every Saturday to go with coffee and tea that’s available for customers at the shop.

The House Beautiful designation in the September-October issue has drawn compliments online and congratulations from family and friends in the community.

“I know it’s a little off the beaten path,” she said of the store. “It’s been a great community. Everyone has welcomed us and supported us.”