Napatree Needlepoint was born in the midst of the pandemic, named for founder Katherine’s favorite place in the world — the wildlife conservation, Napatree Point, in Westerly, Rhode Island. The daughter of an artist and an endless creative, Katherine began designing her own needlepoint canvases during quiet months at home, and soon, her colorful coastal vision came to life.

Her designs draw inspiration from a life spent between Old New York’s glittering ballrooms, Rhode Island’s breezy shores, and winters in the tropics. Each hand-painted canvas captures a playful blend of nautical charm, timeless tradition, and an amusing dose of wit: from satirical sayings to sweet 4” ornaments and anything touched by salt air and sunshine. Rooted in graceful living, enduring style, and quiet luxury, her work reflects that effortless balance of elegance and ease, where a monogrammed cocktail napkin feels perfectly at home beside a well-worn pair of boat shoes.

A 12th-generation Native New Yorker, historian, and nonprofit professional, Katherine grew up spending her summers on the waters of Watch Hill. She first learned to needlepoint in an after-school program in fourth grade. She shared this creative thread with her grandmother, who inspired her love of witty, sometimes too-true phrases, and the joy of a needle in hand. Today, she savors stitching her grandmother’s half-finished canvases while designing new ones that celebrate the same humor and heart.

When she’s not painting or stitching, Katherine can often be found on the tennis court, in the saddle, on the golf course, traveling the world (she’s been to 45 countries!) or—most happily—under the sail of her beloved boat. Her love of sport and the sea influence her designs, lending a sense of movement, freedom, and timeless tradition to every canvas.

The brand’s signature shades of blue are an ode to family and heritage: a blend of her great-grandmother’s beloved “powder blue” and her husband’s Carolina Blue, a proud nod to his Tar Heel roots. Together, they capture the essence of Napatree Needlepoint: a celebration of color, coast, and connection — past and present, stitched with humor, history, and heart.