Hello AT,
We are doing several residential renovations of historical banking buildings in Downtown Bridgeport, CT. We would like to decorate the model apartment with furniture bought from local retailers.
Do you know of any good furniture and housewares stores in CT and especially in Fairfield and New Haven counties?
Thanks, Beth
We throw this out to our cousins in wiggly Connecticut...... The best thing we know in CT is Emma Gardner Design in Litchfield. She has great rugs, pillows and throws and would certainly connect you to whoever is cool in the neighborhood. (Thanks, Beth!) MGR
The furniture of Robert Bristow and Pilar Proffitt, partners in the Norfolk architecture and design firm Poesis, is really great.
poesisdesign.com
A great resource would be the MULTIPLE antique stores and auction houses and consignment stores in the "east of 95" waterfront area of stamford. There are about six BIG warehouses full of furniture. I go there often as they are always changing things up!
Also, you should go to United Housewrecking in Stamford. It used to be a salvage store but now holds MUCH more stuff.
A great place for fabric in Bridgeport is The Barn. I drive all the way up there from the city for a wonderful collection of all sorts of fabrics and some insanely nice people.
Beth-
Ridgefield has some great antiques stores, as does Woodbury. You might want to also check out Westport and the SoNo (South Norwalk) shopping district for newer/funkier stuff. One store that I can think of off the top of my head is &Company in Westport -- haven't actually been in there, but have received lots of cool houseware type presents bought there over the years. Sorry I can't give you more specific information on actual stores -- all I know is that whenever I go to visit my aunt and uncle (who live in Westport), I always ooh and ahh at the cool stuff that abounds in the store windows I pass.
If you venture all the way to Litchfield County, my hometown of Kent has some cool stores -- Terston & Co. on North Main and Heron Gallery in town (further south on Main) for housewares, Connecticut Hardwoods (I think is their name)just south of town by the Kent Garden Center for Amish-style furniture made by a local craftsman. There's also a little antique store near the traffic light -- the owner, Sue, is a doll and has really neat vintage tablecloths. Just stay on Route 7 and you'll hit all the stores. I'm not kidding.
Good luck!
A list of the Stamford auction houses/furniture stores/antique stores can be found on this website with directions - www.braswellgalleries.com/antiquing.htm
United House Wrecking - www.unitedhousewrecking.com/
And there isn't a website for the Barn but here is the google of it -
www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&q=the+barn&near=Bridgeport,+CT&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=41166944,-73205278,9147593022295460374
I am posting this as an honest referral - we have known this family for years, since before moving to New York. If you are looking for stained glass in your renovations, you may want to look at www.asgstudio.com. They are a rural, traditional glass studio in Northeast CT. They also can help you locate antiques and direct you to some amazing stores in the NE part of the state. They have lived there their whole lives. Denise runs the small, traditional shop from her home studio, and always loves company. I have rarely seen her talent in traditional glass art. If you see the works that are constantly being fabricated in her studio, you will be astounded - most do not appear on her website, so you really do have to visit. She picks handmade glass sheets for most projects and has soldering and fabrication techniques that I have not seen in other studios. Also, she was just featured in CT Magazine's May edition (YAY!). The Northeast is still relatively quiet, but is a hub for major antiques trade in towns like Woodstock, Pomfret, and Putnam. If you plan a day trip out there you could very well find some treasures for your place. Denise can also help get you in touch with traditional woodworkers that she has known for decades. some specialize in furniture, historical restoration, or architectural woodworking.
I know most people want immediate satisfaction with 'links' but some parts of CT still are too off the beaten path. make a call, take a drive, or just give Denise a call...
okay, this is the suggestion i meant to post. check out connecticut cottages & gardens. okay, i used to work there but honestly, it's a perfect magazine for you because it's all about design and decorating and focuses on local retailers. it's hard to find sometimes because it's given away free but you can order it from the main office pretty easily. their website is www.ctcandg.com
Huh? What was that about?
hi, okay that was a mistake. (too quick with the return key i am). please administrator remove it!!
It's possible "& company" moved since I've been there, but it was definitely originally in South Norwalk.
In South Norwalk by the water there's a Lillian August Outlet- the prices can be phenomenal, and is an excellent resource for larger, traditional pieces.
In Westport on Route 1 next to the Westport Goodwill is a store called "Furniture on Consignment," which is a phenomenal resource. You have to be willing to pick through the junk, (and there's a lot of it, alas) but there is almost always treasure- you have to go often, but I found a gorgeous antique art noveau sofa for $150 and beautiful wood and steel stools for $10 each.
And yes- those antique markets in Stamford are wonderful, simply wonderful.
On that same stretch in Westport near Route 1 (and stop in to Hayday market for a snack!) are some wonderful antique stores, though very expensive, as well as Anthopologie, which is good for knobs and small, fun housewares.
Ameico in New Milford is great. Their website is quite thorough too - www.ameico.com.
Ahhhh... venturing into my hometown geography!
I don't really know if antique is your aesthetic or not, but if so, I'd definitely second Woodbury. Every other home on Main Street is now an antique store, most of which have some great early American or Northern European stuff. If you do head up Route 7 to Kent, be sure to stop in New Preston. A couple of small shops there, but very nice if you're in the neighborhood.
Go to Habitat for Humanity's Restore in Stratford, CT.
They have new and used furnishings and building supplies...very interesting!
Hi Beth-
I hope this comment is still helpful. I live in Bridgeport and I purchased some nice furniture at:
Upstairs Downstairs
1730 Commerce Dr, Bridgeport, CT
(203) 384-9148.
They have nice modern stuff. Its not made in Bridgeport, but its a nice store.
Hi,
Have you heard of Cachet in Fairfield, CT? It is an upscale furniture consignment store that has hundreds and hundreds pieces of excellent consigned pieces priced to sell. Every day you will find new pieces and the floor is constantly changing with new inventory. The people that work there are very helpful and friendly. It's easy to find and there's plenty of parking. See their web site for more information - www.cachetconsignments.com. They are on POST ROAD and the number is 203 259 4407.
Good luck,
Stacey
Opps! See my comments above, I meant to write:
www.cachetconsignment.com.
They are located in Fairfield, CT right off of 95 and just a tad out of town center.
Good luck,
Stacey
There is a wonderful shop in downtown Madison, CT called Maggie's Table. Opened by a wonderful woman and her mother, the personal service is top. They carry fine European lines (glasswear, tabletop, linens etc). They are also specialists in lighting. Good Luck!
Maxwell, thanks for your kind reference.
Yes, Beth, we'd be happy to work with you on the model front. Are you coming to ICFF? Visit our exhibit #1448 or give us a call after the show and we can talk more.
Regarding Bridgeport connections, I'd try Denise Schmidt who produces beautiful quilts there.
As for retailers, Westport and Greenwich have a few places of interest but are hard to categorize as contemporary or transitional, etc.
Are you working with an interior designer?
Call me at your convenience -- 860.567.5201.
furniture and building materials