Full Circle

As a young adult, I often dreamed of opening a furniture store, but other ideas seemed to take priority. Eventually, in my early thirties, I started my own interior design business as a life shift was underway. I was pregnant with Evelyn as I began to spread the word about my new career direction. 

My first client called me the week Evelyn was born. She was working with a general contractor and wanted help choosing a wall color. She told me to bring Evelyn along to our meeting. She was a loving mother of five and a grandmother, and held Evelyn as we worked. 

The job quickly became more than advice on a paint color as she expressed that her contractor didn’t seem to understand her style. She asked if I would attend her next meeting with them to help her negotiate the direction they were taking her project.

At the meeting, I acted as an interpreter between the contractor and client. I remember standing up and saying, “This is where your new entrance to the kitchen will be”, and hearing a reaction from her that was both surprise and comprehension. It was a pivotal moment. I realized that I had a “specialty”!

As the meeting progressed, it was clear she was being told "No" to features she hoped to have in her new kitchen. I wasn’t about to sit back and let these two men tell her she couldn’t have her farm sink and copper faucet! I drew the future kitchen by hand, labeling every cabinet space and drawer by function, and chose specific products to suit her style. After she and I went over the plan, I worked directly with her contractors to make sure her renovation met her dreams. It was an empowering start to my career.

Now in my fifties, with two kids leaving the nest, I have come full circle to my furniture shop. I love the idea of brick-and-mortar stores, and I want to help bring them back to our communities. 

Choosing home goods by touching them, sitting in them, and seeing the color IRL is inspiring! And it’s exciting that my kids and their peers primarily shop secondhand. There are so many reasons to buy secondhand furniture - quality craftsmanship, unique styles, environmental concerns, and a smaller scale that fits old homes in the city - so the timing is good to fill this need. 

The items in my shop range from $15 to $5,500, from knick-knacks to valuable antiques. My love for history is gratified when researching vintage items. I take great pleasure in knowing where, when, and why items were designed.

That kitchen renovation taught me that a house becomes a home when it reflects the people who live in it — and that's exactly what I hope for every piece that leaves Evelyn's Emporium. Whether you're searching for a $15 treasure or a statement antique, I'd love to help you find something with a story of its own.

Stop by the shop or browse our latest finds. We look forward to seeing you!