Each Thursday at Lynn Antiques and Beautiful Things
at Church and 27th streets, customers can sip wine or bubbly water
while browsing the goods, courtesy of owner Lynn Ingham. Brent
Albert, who works at the store and does "design work" there,
hinted that there will be various tempting in-store specials each
week as well. "Something might be on sale. There might be
some discounts," he says. "There'll be all kinds of surprises." In
July, the shop will celebrate its "second birthday," as
Albert calls it, and he promises some extra special savings in
celebration throughout July.
Lynn Antiques has been hosting the Thursday evening open houses
from 5 to 7 p.m. since May.
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"Some of our regular clients really like it," Albert
says. "It brings people out. By August we hope to have the
whole [Church Street] block involved."So far, Lynn Antiques
has been joined by a fellow purveyor of antiques and artistic objects.
Dona Taylor and Kimberly Karnes of When Modern Was down the block
on Church Street, began offering complimentary wine and cheese
to customers from 4 to 6 p.m. every Thursday afternoon in June.
They plan to continue the weekly fete at least through the winter
holiday season. "We're open until 6:30 Wednesday through Sunday,
so why not?" says Taylor with a laugh. "I'm a chocoholic,
so chances are we'll start having some chocolate on hand too." |
Once upon a time, everything old was new. Hence
the name of Church Street's latest shop, When Modern Was, which
offers a unique collection of antique and artistic objects for
the home and garden.
Dona Taylor, co-owner of Gallery of Jewels on 24th Street, joined
with Kimberly Karnes, an interior designer who lived on Elizabeth
Street but now resides on the Peninsula, to open the shop in
the former Mia's Flowers space the week before Christmas. The
two longtime friends purchased the space last fall, gutted it,
and redesigned the interiors to create what Taylor describes
as the home and garden version of her jewelry boutique. The store
straddles the line between showroom and gallery, furniture store
and gift shop.
"We have a modern twist on an antique store. These are not
your grandmother's antiques," says Karnes.
The majority of the store's inventory comes from professional
and local consigners. Recent acquisitions include a retro chaise
lounge in leopard-print fabric, a metal birdcage, an 18th-century
painted wardrobe (selling for $2,400), a wooden rocking crib, delicate
crystal lamps, and colorful vintage glassware ranging in price
from $18 to $45.
But to describe the shop simply as an outlet for antiques would
be misleading. Taylor and |
Karnes have chosen to include an eclectic array
of new art, furniture, jewelry, and gift items from a bevy of Bay
Area artists and designers. Katie Gilmartin's cheeky linoleum prints
appear throughout the space, while rugs from Palo Alto's Medallion
Rugs pepper the walls. Flannel pajamas printed with flying pigs
rest atop baskets of Rubii lingerie sets, while handpainted Pashmina
shawls grace a table showcasing ceramic Asian statues. Along with
an extensive selection of vintage jewelry, the shop also carries
local designer Amy Levine's beaded baubles. Monthly art shows featuring
local artists are also in the works.
In addition to the retail offerings, the shop offers a home
and garden redesign service. Karnes and Taylor will come to a
client's home, rearrange furniture and accessories the client
already owns, and fill in the gaps with items from the store.
"They can live with them for a while, choose to purchase
some or all of what we have there, and create a whole new vibe
and feel for their home," Karnes explains.
The store will hold a wine and cheese opening reception on Saturday,
Feb. 17, from 3 to 8 p.m. The public is invited.
When Modern Was is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.
to 6:30 p.m.
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