Category archives: art

Meet Lele– the multi-talented artist. She is a painter, sculptor, writer. She also own and run a local winery Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery in Kennett Square.

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How and when did you first become seriously interested in art?

I was raised around art and went to art museums and galleries since I could walk (that is the same for my children too). Studio art always came very naturally to me and I received a lot of attention for it, so I wasn’t very interested in it, but I was always serious about art history. I started college as a passionate art history major, until one day I had a conversation with a friend about Klimt, that made me rethink how I was learning about art… I had been dissecting and memorizing. All the over-intellectualization of the art had pulled me away from the ability to see..and I’d forgotten what had drawn me to art history it in the first place. I am very passionate about art history now, but it is personalized by knowing how to see and how to be moved to see in a new way. I still today  read tons of art history books, but not to memorize the facts, but instead just to understand things better. The breadth and history and presence of artistic creativity is very exciting to me…it is a shared sizzling current that runs through everyone and through time.

I started a serious interest in art education and public art when my sons were little.  I used my art ability to enable me to be in the schools with my children..and one thing led to another – I fell in love with working with the kids in the schools, all ages ranging from pre-school to high school.  I found excitement and much joy in teaching art history or art appreciation as well as public art. I still run a big school art appreciation program that I love, but I shy away from public art now (after 60+ projects now in Seattle, Westchester NY and Chester County).  Public art is a great thing when done with the right intentions. When people come together to make an art piece for their classroom, school, or community, it is fun and creative and pretty of course, but they like leaving a little piece of themselves in the artwork that they remember.  This is part of giving back to the world around them. Very cool..and but also extremely time and labor intensive.

About 2005 I started running art shows, and began taking classes, just for me, to see if I still had any sort of a gift left.  The combination of having art show deadlines and falling back in love with the medium, got me seriously interested in making art- really for the first time in my life. 

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What do you think is the most important influence in your painting?

No particular place, person or thing… I am influenced by looking -I am constantly looking at paintings and other pieces of art, including functional art such as furniture. When I am drawn to one, I try to figure out both how the artist does what they do, and what specifically draws me to a particular piece. “Looking” is a constant sifting through of visual edits, a lot goes in the discard pile, and the rest is organized and reshuffled for color, mood, something interesting, and relationships to things like time, history, my work or another artist’s work. The more I see, the more I learn about the art form and about why I am a painter. I am almost 55 and I still struggle with the idea of being an artist with a specific voice…what am I working towards in the art piece; where to edit and where to pile it on; there are always questions and challenges in every piece. I definitely would not paint or sculpt if there were no challenges. To have an original voice is both a difficult and an interesting journey.

In college, my end of the year art history paper had to be on a contemporary piece in the Hartford Museum, and I decided to pick something I absolutely hated just as a test to see if I would like it any better after I learned about it. I picked Franz Kline, who I thought was rubbish, and after working through it -he is one of my favorites. I definitely appreciate things more if there is a struggle involved.

I guess the biggest art influence was at Berkeley when an art teacher showed me how to bleed out a line and morph it into more painting than drawing. That was the first time I really painted (real painting, not filling with color), and I never went back to drawing after that. I also only did black and white, no color, until my mid-twenties. That is why my colors are so charged up now; I feel the need to punch them up to give me the same strength of feeling that I got from using black and white. I am trying to tone my color down now, but that is hard, which makes it interesting.. but toning it down is definitely not easy for me. I might go back to black and white.

 

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Can you talk a little bit  about your first sculpture?

Wow. That was fun – talk about an electric current. I had never done 3-D, and decided to take the plunge at Stan Smokler’s workshop one summer. It was an instant pure jolt of fun that had no layers of experience tied to it. I was mesmerized by the details, the metal bits and making a thing that was fully round. The first piece was a column made of sinewy found bits that worked their way up to make a whole. It was heavy and it sold immediately. Most of my pieces are abstract combinations of “bound” and unbound” elements. I am drawn to the idea of energy all bundled up and the thrill of being freed. Right now I am trying to learn more about the medium, rather than just be expressive. That involves a lot more grinding and busy work and is less appealing to me than the spontaneity of creating a sculptural piece…but I owe it to the medium to learn more about it. The more I learn about working with steel, the better I can realize the ideas I have..I hope so anyhow. But grinding is a bore and chips away at the little individualistic bits that I like…just like me trying to tone down color in my paintings, I’m not sure tidying up my metal work and making the welds smooth is very “me”, but I am interested in figuring that out.

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Do you work certain hours each day or only when you are inspired to work?

I only work when I have a show or commission that is two weeks away or less. I keep hoping that I will schedule art every day, but I don’t. Making art has to be exciting for me, or I will do something else that is. The deadline makes it more exciting and pushes me to finished works as opposed to a lot of exploratory scribbling.

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You are painter, sculptor, writer, and also run a winery in Kennett Square, how do you balance work and life?

Well, I don’t know how to relax, so as long as I am busy doing interesting things, then I am very happy. My husband and sons help keep me balanced, and art helps to shake things up.

 

Check Lele’s work here: http://www.lelegaler.com/

 

 

Meet talented Hattie, from a ballerina to a sculptor. Now she is a self taught hand crafted jewelry designer in Kennett Square.

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What did you do before you start jewelry design?

When I was 4 years old I began intensive training in ballet. I was pigeon-toed and the doctor advised my mother that ballet would help straighten my legs. I quickly ended up taking 10 classes a week and when I was 14, I was accepted into The School of American Ballet at Juilliard in New York City. After that, I was a principal ballerina with the Brandywine Ballet Company for 9 years and, later, danced with Opus 1 Contemporary of Philadelphia as well as guest performed with many theatres and other dance companies. I began teaching ballet in 2001 and only recently have had to cut back to one day a week as it’s all my growing jewelry schedule will allow. In my early twenties, I also modeled as a ballerina for a sculpture class and found myself eager to learn how to sculpt. I took a class and began sculpting, later exhibiting my bronze dancers locally in galleries and art exhibits.

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What lead you to beginning to work with jewelry?

In 2006, I stopped dancing professionally and began my family. I enjoyed sculpture but it was expensive to have bronzed. But, without dance or sculpture, I found I still needed an artistic outlet. I picked up an instructional book on beading and wirewrapping at a local craft store and that night I think I made 30 pairs of earrings. I was hooked.

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Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from everything around me. I love to garden and often am inspired by nature and its beauty and movement. I am currently fascinated with ancient Egyptian artifacts and patinas. I typically don’t sketch out or plan my designs. I have a general idea or inspiration, start grabbing materials and get to work.

 

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Who do you envision wearing your work? Do you think about this when you work on designs?

I strive to make jewelry that people want to wear. I try to make a variety that appeals to all ages and styles. I believe it is important to learn as many techniques as you can but that doesn’t mean you need to pull out all the stops in every single creation. I often find that the pieces people find the most appealing are the simplest.

 

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The most meaningful piece of jewelry you own is?

My favorite piece is my ‘Wrapped in Lavender Cuff’. It was the most technically challenging piece I have ever made and, because of that, the most rewarding. It was a lengthy process but when I finished it, I remember feeling proud of myself.

 

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Do you have a favorite jewelry designer that you admire?

I admire so many artists but I guess you could say my idol is jewelry artist, Jeanine Payer. She has recently closed her studio doors but I was fortunate to have been given a couple of her pieces and absolutely fell in love with the simplicity and feminine quality of her work. It remains an inspiration to me.

 

Check Hattie’s work here: Hattie Weselyk Jewelry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After two years renovating  an old  farm house, Mary and her family moved to their beautiful  new home. Mary also found her calling in home interior design, organization  and garden design. The EDIT was born. It is a personal, client-centered service providing home order and organization.

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1. What determined your passion for design?

I fell into this. EDIT evolved from my totally control freak nature! As a kid I would re arrange my parents furniture when they went out of town. It didn’t go over well.
As an adult, I’ve lived in a few houses (we seem to move around) and design and order (for me) are a natural part of the move in/move out/nesting and home making process. Creating good and pleasing spaces for life and family is a creative and satisfying endevour for me. But really, I’m a control freak.

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2. Can you describe your first Edit project?

My very first EDIT project was a whole house re order, deckutter and staging for sale process. It was a completed over the summer and the home sold shortly thereafter.
I love to bring order. And the backbone and essence of EDIT is just that. Order. Be it in a basement or closet.

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3. What inspires you?

I’m a always deeply inspired by my amazing friend family. The people who impact my thoughts and heart are truly exceptionally talented humans. I am very lucky to have them. I’ve watched each one of them take flight in their own distinct efforts and I finally feel as though I’m catching up!

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4.Share something you would like the world to know about you or your ideas.

I get my inspiration from a life lived at home. My ideas are influenced by the spaces I have lived in, by the objects and stuff of life I’ve acquired and love and always always always from the natural world. I am certainly no expert on design but I do know what I love. And I do absolutely love what I do with EDIT.

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5. if you have no limits( money, resources), what would you create?

The world as my oyster would truly be endless gardening! Endless. There would be no blade of grass unturned! It would be a boisterous messy flowering world in my garden.

 

My daughter took a drawing and painting class at Y. After finished the classes, she showed me her paintings, I was amazed by her work and the way the teacher was teaching. I had a chance to meet the teacher–Beth, an artist who loves doing animals portraits and  teaching art to children.  I went to her house, she showed me all the fun things in her studio , and activities at the farm. I felt her love of  animals , and passion for painting and teaching.

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1.What’s your life like when you were a kid?

We had a Ton of fun,brought up on a 99 acre horse farm with horses and dogs and a lot of people.We worked hard on ponies and horses to re sell,or train for other people.My mother was a big hearted free spirit who stressed honesty and to treat other people the way you want to be treated.We got up early and worked hard,then got to do fun active activities all together with out many rules,but you gave it your all in spirit!

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2.When and how did you start painting? 

I always doodled and loved looking at Art…When I was 16,I had a serious back operation,they said no riding horses for a while!!!..That was my life,Mom said ..whow what are you going to do…I thought if she doesn’t know..it is up to me..I said I’m going to Art School,,,,where one door shuts another one opens!!!My Art has given me so much pleasure and others!!

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3. Why do you like to paint animals? 

I LOVE animals and feel I intrinsically..intuitively..connect to them,so to paint them enhances these feelings,plus it is a challenge!! I like being able to paint peoples animals so they have a piece of the love forever,it is such a deep feeling…I love painting them!!!!!!

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4.What animal do you like most? why? 

Horses and Dogs and Big lions….They are free,,atheletic and pick who they trust,then are very loyal..and the partnership grows!!

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5.Can you talk a little bit about your last trip to Africa?

My last trip to Africa was magical,I did a lot of sketching..being outside in nature focusing on such beauty of the land the animals and my connection with them was surreal…I wrote in my book…I am revolving with the Universe..which was all beauty and possibility for me!!! I felt totally centered and as if the Dear Lord was whispering in my ear,I’m Proud of you Beth,I do well with those Real Feelings,,I can’t wait to go back!!!

You can check Beth’s work here: http://www.bethsecor.com/

 

I knew Bri through Instagram. I have been followed her on Instagram long time. She is the designer-maker and owner of Arden and James. I love her beautiful  handcrafted bags. Finally I had a chance to do a photo shoot with her. I arrived her house, her younger son was sleeping, and the older boy was tired but won’t take a nap. He stayed with us whole time, during the photo shoot I saw how she balanced her work with kids. Her studio is stylish, bright and organized. She showed me her new work, and also the first bag she made. She is such a talented artist and wonderful mom.

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Where did the name Arden & James come from?
 
Arden is a little utopian arts community in Delaware. It was designed to demonstrate the values of the Arts + Crafts movement at the turn of the century. Many artists, musicians, actors, and craftsmen live there. There are walking paths through the woods connecting all of the homes and shared community facilities. Such a dream. They have an annual Arden Fair, which is in its 108th year.  As a kid, my grandparents’ house was closeby, and we would go to the Fair. It’s a magical place, and it has inspired me all my life.
 
James is my older son. I started the company when he was old enough to sit on his own and I got my hands back :). My husband is also a James. He is an artist as well – a musician.
 
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What is your design process?
The materials themselves drive my process.  I only use materials I love: organic woven linen, locally milled waxed canvas, vegetable tanned leather, and pure copper.  I see a natural material that inspires me and then decide what I can make that would highlight its best qualities. It’s sort of a backwards design process – not how I was trained in design school! I think that good design allows the materials to be themselves.
I love getting feedback from customers and friends. When designing something as personal as a handbag, I have to know how people will use it. I want my bags to be a reliable wardrobe staple and hopefully an heirloom, so the details need to be just right.
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What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?
 
Wharton Esherick. He was a sculptor and painter who resided in Paoli. His home and workshop are open to the public, and they are an endless source of inspiration for me. I hope to shoot my Fall lookbook there this year. It’s funny, but when I make something,  I ask myself – would this look good at Wharton’s house? It’s a “handcrafted modern” look. His work has no straight lines. It is informed by the materials and has a perfect organic feel. It’s just too good to put into words – you gotta see it.
What would you most like to make that you haven’t made so far?
Clothing. My sister, Britt, is amazing with styling, colors, and patterns – so it would be a collaborative line where I could choose the materials. My dream is to work with her every day (and our dogs and kids).
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How did your parents influence your career?
 
My parents always wanted us to do what made us happy. Just to be our true selves. My Dad was always working with wood, and my mom was a painter. My mom always said that I was an artist, and wanted me to pursue art as my career, but I never believed in myself enough to think that I could pull it off. After getting my degree in Industrial Design, I apprenticed for other artists, worked in food marketing, and organized community events to earn money. It wasn’t until after my mom passed away – five years ago – and I was pregnant with my first son, that I felt the drive to make things. I could feel my mom’s confidence in me pushing me along. Since then I am always inspired and can’t wait to make more. I feel that my mom is sending these things to me so that I can live my dream. Everything falls into place as long as I focus and do my best. People have responded so passionately to my work – and it’s so flattering – because it’s me being completely honest and putting my true self out there. My work is a reflection of me, and the relationships I have built from that are so authentic and rewarding.
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You are busy mom for two boys, how do you balance your work and kids?
The balance day-to-day is so hard, but overall, things work out. I am always going from one thing to the next, running around like a crazy person. But that’s how I work best. I am at home with the boys, so my attention has to be on them first. My boys are 2 and 4, so we don’t have any schedule – I just work in my home workshop when I can – mostly in 10 minute bursts throughout the day (on a good day). I use my iPhone for everything. I am never able to sit at the computer. The boys would be jumping all over me! I plan my work so that I can do handwork such as weaving in the car (while James is driving :)) or outside with the kids while they play. When the kids are both in school things will be easier. I had never imagined my business would grow so quickly – but I’m so proud that it has! The challenge keeps growing, but I’m still hanging in there!
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 To learn more about Bri and her work go to the website:Arden and James

I found Meredith through Instagram.  She is an amazing multitalented artist. We met at her house in town, it’s a place full of her design elements. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. She showed me her work, and her unique tea dye business card. I absolutely love her work!!! We talked about everything, travel, art, cat, camera, food …etc. She has the most beautiful smile and great personality. I borrowed these words from  her Instagram’s profile:” |sign maker | freelance calligrapher & artist | yarn spinner | dreamer |photographic documenter | proudly Pennsylvanian”.

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What was your dream job as a child?

As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher.  When I was little I had my own pretend classroom with a giant chalkboard & would talk to imaginary students for hours.  Funny that now I’m still writing on chalkboards!

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Were you always interested in art? how did you start the calligraphy? 

I always had a huge respect for all different forms of art.  I started calligraphy out of necessity; I had to make some signs for a client through terrain.  Terrain is one of those places where you don’t say no to clients…you create what they want, even if it is out of your comfort zone.  This project was painting names on 5 foot canvas for a wedding.  Than the next project was a seating chart that was painted on glass.  After that I loved analyzing each stroke of a letter & how to make them better.

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How did you start become known for your work? 

I really have to thank Instagram.  I have found countless amount of jobs through word of mouth//friend of a friend that saw something I did on Instagram.  I actually have to thank this application for a lot of things: I have found clients, made new friends, workshop attendees, & most recently found a new roommate through Instagram.  I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now if it wasn’t for Jie finding me through Instagram.

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What do you dream of doing in the future? 

I definitely want to travel more!  Traveling always helps me to shift my inspiration.  I would also love to have an online shop where I sell custom products: stamps, wood burnings, cards…

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What would be your best advice to aspiring calligrapher? 

Play & have fun!  Do not feel like every move is permeant or right/wrong…every stroke has a purpose.  Also, get inspired!  Find something that you admire & try to copy it with your own spin on it.

 

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Check her website for more information:  www.merelymere.com

 

 

 

Demian is a tattoo artist. He works for a Tattoo shop in town. Except the tattoo shop , he has another happy place–his garage, where he spends his free time fixing his motorcycle.

 

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What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Don’t know I think the first thing that I wanted to be when I grew up would be like my dad. He is a cool guy with cool friends . That’s what i still want to be.

 

Why do you like tattoos?

Always have like them. Remember being fascinated when i saw somebody that had one .

 

 

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How are your tattoos represent your personality?

I don’t know I get (tattooed) stuff that I like and that is kind of what makes me and my personality.

Does every tattoo has a story or meaning?

No, not everything has a meaning.

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What is the one piece of advice you  would  give to people?

Find what you love and let it kill you.

 

Zvezdana, people also call her Stella. She is the owner of Mala Galleria. I like her gallery. It gives some fresh air  to this little town. The first time  I went there, I asked her to be part of my “people of kennett square”‘s project. The next day I got a email from her, she said she wanted do a exhibit about my project. I was thrilled!!! I couldn’t believe I could have my first exhibit here. Thank you! Stella, I’m so grateful for this opportunity.

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What did you do before you open Mala Galleria?

I ran a Washington DC based humanitarian non- profit organization dealing with the post-war consequences, post- flood needs and soup kitchens in Serbia.  I also organized many events, exhibits, film festivals etc.  I still do all of that.

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What made you decide to open a gallery?

I always wanted to do that. Where I come from, art is everywhere. I grew up with art, music, theater…I was somehow always surrounded by artists and I saw myself in this world. 

How do you choose your artists?

I visit lots of art shows, find artists online, sometimes someone recommends them to me, or artists see the gallery and they visit because they like the work I exhibit. I exhibit 27 local artists at the moment, and several international.

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Why did you choose Kennett square?

I always searched for the perfect little town to open the gallery in. When we moved to the area 4 years ago and I saw the downtown Kennett Square, I knew I found it. Beautiful, historic downtown with nice people. It was perfect!m3

 

 

What was the most memorable piece you have ever sold?

My first piece I sold, on the first day I opened the gallery. It was an antique, by Julien Celos (1884-1953), a Belgian visual artist. It was a good luck charm!

 

Learn more about Mala Galleria, check the website here: http://www.malagalleria.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s meet Jan, she is the owner of Brick Garage/Pack rats Place, It currently  houses a selection of antiques, furniture, accessories and design elements.

The first time I went to Jan’s shop was  at Halloween last year. She decorated her shop as ” haunted house” , It was creative,  scary and fun!

I love her collections, her shop looks like a mini museum. If you ever come to Kennett Square, you have to check her store, it’s a must see place.

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When did you start collecting?

Have always treasured things I love that bring fond memories. Started shopping

estate sales around 1990 to find great quality items at better prices to decorate

my home. Found them and more until my storage was overflowing. I needed a

better way to share my bargains and thus” Pack Rats Place” was born so I could

pass my bargains on to my friends.

 

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When and how did you open the shop?

In 2003 saw a unique brick garage in the charming Borough of Kennett Square

which was originally built in 1934 as Young’s Garage and then was George’s

Plumbing for 37 years. Here I saw an opportunity to create a perfect space to

share my finds.

As I had spent over 20 years doing construction projects for myself, I tackled the

shop renovation and preservation of its place in Kennett’s history with a helper

and codes supervision.

During that progress, there occurred some personal tragedies over a period of

time that caused a several year delay in opening the shop, but having the “Brick

Garage”, gave me the incentive to persevere.

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Where did the name “Pack Rats Place” come from?

Well, the condensed definition of pack rat is: “…noted for its habit of collecting

bright, shiny objects….and stores the objects it collects to decorate it’s nest…”. It

fits me and all the other pack rats out there to a tee!

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Why did you pick Kennett Square?

It was the wonderful brickwork of the building, charm of the location, potential

for economic development and proximity to the major visitor attraction of

Longwood Gardens.

 

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Is there any interesting story about your items?

All the things in the shop have interesting stories. The patina of time enhances so

many things in different ways. Most people have cherished things over the years

and in reality want those items to find a home with someone who will love them

as much as they had. The Brick Garage/Pack Rats Place creates that ambiance for

those items with its eclectic feel. Enchanting Estate Finds, Tantalizing Treasures,

Antiques, Wonderful Whatevers and Odd Objects and Such, etc. are combined

in a rabbit warren of rooms, grounded by a roaring fireplace in the “inside-outside

room” to give those heirlooms a place to shine until they move on to create new

memories. The setting is the main attraction and the inventory of recycled/reused

items changes through time. There are several events to attract people to the

shop, since once they visit they usually return, such as the annual Brick Garage

Haunted House and this past year, the KSQ Candlelight Holiday Home Tour.

Thrilled to be able to share the experience of the shop with others and participate

in Kennett Square community activities!

 

Find more information about Brick Garage/Pack Rats Place here: http://www.thebrickgarage.com/

 

 

This is Tara –owner of Scout and Annie Vintage Furniture and accessories shop. After I moved to Kennett Square, her shop is one of my hangout place, I like to go there check everything that she collected.I love her style, and dream one day my home will full of her furniture.

What did you do before you open Scout &Annie?

Before Scout & Annie, I was an attorney.  I loved it, but I meet much friendlier people now.

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How you got into this business? and what’s the meaning of Scout & Annie?

I started off by doing shows like Clover Market and the Brooklyn Flea Market.  I did well and was having fun, so took space in the West End Garage in Cape May.  That was a great experience, and I was inspired to go further and open a permanent shop.  Kennett Square is home, and it also happens to be a great downtown, so opening Scout & Annie on State Street was the obvious choice.  I have been open in Kennett Square since summer 2011.

Scout & Annie are the family dogs.  People sometimes ask if Scout & Annie are my kids, or call my husband “Scott” and me “Annie”.  And we answer to it.
 Where do you find your stuff?
The furniture and accessories in the shop come from many different sources, mostly people who contact me when they or a family member are downsizing.  I also have great relationships with other dealers who feed mid century modern gems to me.
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What do you love most about vintage furniture?
I love the timeless nature of vintage furniture, particularly mid century and Danish modern styles.  Clean lines, great materials, innovative design and quality construction mean that these pieces retain their classic appeal and live in your home as stylishly as they did half a century ago.  I think the recent recession reminded everyone about the importance of quality pieces that retain their value and usefulness.  There is a whole new generation moving into their own homes that has fallen in love with classic modern design, and they want vintage, not new.  Makes sense, as the milennials have been raised “green”, and vintage is a far more ecologically sound choice than new.  Just like restaurants with local menus, I make it a point to source as much as possible locally, which means no shipping or manufacturing resources/waste.  And not only is it perfect re-use, using vintage and salvage in your decor means your can put your unique stamp on your home.
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Can you give some tips about how to choose vintage furniture?
You can find great vintage in so many places – thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets.  I recommend heading out early and carrying cash.  You can politely negotiate, particularly if you are buying more than one item.  If you see something you love, don’t hesitate – it probably won’t be there when you return after “thinking about it”.  If you love an upholstered frame but hate the fabric, consider investing in professional reupholstery.  Costly, but a relative steal for a customized, quality piece.  And this is quirky but you’ll thank me later : SMELL the piece.  Yes, open the drawer and stick your head in there and ignore the funny looks.  Good wood smells nice or not at all, but avoid anything musty or reeking of cigarettes – this will not “air out”.  This is especially important at an outdoor market where stink may be harder to detect in the fresh air.