RUSTICATOR IS THE SHOP-CHILD  of interior designer Laura Keeler Pierce and her husband, Vassar Pierce. For Laura, Rusticator is the culmination of a lifetime spent around sawdust, custom draperies, and a passion for interiors with personality. As the founder and Principal Designer of the Boston-based interior design firm Keeler & Co., she brings years of fine arts and event planning experience, as well as a Certificate in Interior Design from RISD and a BA in Art and Art History from Colby College. 

Vassar, who serves as Rusticator & Keeler & Co.’s COO, brings his own rich background in finance and business, holding a BA in Business from Bucknell University and an MBA from Boston University. With roots on Mount Desert Island that run generations deep, Vassar’s commitment to community and place is matched only by his enthusiasm for Mount Desert Island, which he loves sharing with Rusticator’s visitors.

When they’re not focused on Rusticator or Keeler & Co., Laura and Vassar are likely volunteering locally or on a boat or on top of a mountain with their son, Percy, and two golden retrievers, Henry and Emma. If they’re not in the shop, Laura’s parents or our friendly Shop Associates will be there, eager to chat about your home or recommend the best island hikes and dining.