citylikeyou — Wedding Cake House — Providence by Elizabeth Goodspeed

Providence / Architecture / Art / Attraction

The Wedding Cake house was originally built in 1867 and served as the home of Anna and Laura Tirocchi, two Italian-American immigrant sisters who operated a dressmaking business before becoming vacant and settling into disrepair for decades. However, in the last 5 years it’s been renovated and restored to its former glory by the long standing Providence feminist art collective The Dirt Palace. It now operates as a contemporary art installation, housing artists on short term residencies to engage with and work in the space. They also host regular shows, open houses, and, occasionally operate as a bed & breakfast. It’s worth walking by to see the stunning architecture, especially on a night when you can go inside!

Address
Wedding Cake House, 514 Broadway, Providence, United States

Designer Art Director

Current city: Providence

Other cities: New York

elizabethgoodspeed.com

Elizabeth Goodspeed is an independent, multidisciplinary designer and art director based in Providence. She’s a devoted generalist, but specializes in idea-driven and historically inspired brand identity projects. She’s passionate about lesser-known design history, and regularly researches and writes about various archive-oriented topics. In addition to design, she loves to cook, go to flea markets, and read.

More Places in Providence 18

Providence / Cinema

The Cable Car is a gem. Cozy little theater with couches! Even better, you can have a beer and a turkey sandwich while you are watching the movie!

Providence / Bar

Bayberry Beer Hall is a contemporary take on a German beer hall—open year round and filled with plants, the space offers New England-made brews from local favorites like Oxbow, Maine Beer Co., Aeronaut, Proclamation Ale Company (and of course, Narraganset). It's scandi communal tables are great for big groups, and despite being billed as a beer hall, it's food is surprisingly exceptional and seasonally inspired. Be sure to try the pretzel.

Providence / Bookstore

Cellar Stories is, hands-down, my favorite used book store of all time. I have never left without buying a book. They have especially large sci-fi, art, cooking, and antiquarian sections, as well as a lot of great books on local New England history. Their organization system is lovingly chaotic, but profoundly helpful to finding exactly what you didn't know they needed. A must for any reader or artist.

Providence / Cafe

White Electric is an eclectic worker owned coffee shop that offers bagel sandwiches, fresh donuts, and every kind of coffee drink imaginable, including the classic Rhode Island "coffee-milk" (made from locally roasted beans) in an off-beat interior.

Providence / Restaurant

Oberlin is one of the best examples of Providence's fantastic dining scene—expect a wide range of excellent lesser-known, sustainably caught local fish like tautog, butterfish and bluefish, as well as a wide range of other regionally-inspired dishes like fresh pasta, homemade sourdough, and roasted local veg. The place has a real neighborhood vibe that makes you want to stay for hours, which is definitely helped by the exceptional wine list and desserts (specifically: the Basque cheesecake).