WA was created in 1996 when Tom Rogers moved to Provincetown, Massachusetts after a
ten-year career as the owner of Tommy Custom Floral Design Inc. in Boston. As a floral
designer, Tom's acute awareness of how the elements of art, and design, and nature blend
together gave his business an artful approach. Tom refined his senses further when he was
charged with creating "environments" for special events, for such distinguished clients as
The Four Seasons Hotels, Tiffany & Co., Hotel Meridian, Gucci, and Saks Fifth Ave.
Turning his sights to creating a retail environment, Tom felt it essential to design a space
that would stimulate all of one's senses.WA means harmony in Japanese and harmony was the primary motivation Tom used to
blend various types of products, from different cultures, in different styles, of different
traditions, methodically into one. The interior of WA is a shell that is neutral or
secondary to the merchandise within.
Form follows function is the rule for the orderly displays of world-wide merchandise. Tom retains a high degree of control over product
placement (akin to a flower arrangement) to present a natural,
harmonious display.
"Though the store brings objects of disparate cultures [together], the
overall effect is seamless and reiterates the Asian influence. Rogers'
unerring eye ties everything together" according to Cheryl and Jeffery
Katz for Home Accents Today.
Tom Rogers hopes visitors will relax, recharge, and revitalize their
senses while within the cool, peaceful confines of WA.
Follow the way . . .
