Meet Sarah!

I've made a new online friend and want you to get to know her also. You might find she has just the lamp or chair you've been looking for!

Atlantan Sarah Reidy-Ferguson is in the business of style sourcing. She scouts out vintage treasures, makes any necessary repairs, and channels the pieces to antique stores and collectors. Sarah’s greatest asset is her keen eye. She finds handsome furniture, interesting decor, and spectacular lighting. Here’s an interview with Sarah and a handful of photos of her fabulous wares. And if you're looking for a specific vintage item, let Sarah know — she just might already have it or will score it for you!

eye spy: How do you define your style or look of your products?

Sarah: I really like to see a blend of style and design when i look at the overall of a room. But when out shopping for inventory, I look for interesting over scale shapes for lamps or accessories and straight lines to furniture. Just give me some visual interest and a little history to a piece. I know that there are a couple of catch phrases out there right now too... Vintage modern, found style, second-hand chic. 

eye spy: Who is your average customer?

Sarah: My customer is someone who “gets” it. They understand what I do and appreciates the product to which I offer to them. They are looking for an interesting piece of furniture, accessory, or object to round out a room of their home. I also market to retail shop owners who might buy from me a set of lamps or chairs for their own shop inventory.

 

eye spy: What are the trends your crystal ball tells you are coming soon?

Sarah: I really think the Rooms-to-go, Ikea and Target way of furnishing will slow down. I think we’ll see a throw back to how our grandparents furnished their homes — buying quality pieces that will last a lifetime. Really appreciating and loving these objects, not just throwing them away when the new store smell has worn off. I alternate my time by also working for a antiques dealer. She has always told me to focus on buying one great, important, investment grade piece a year — whether it’s art or labeled furniture — and in 10 years, you have 10 amazing pieces that encompass solid value & wonderful worth. Quality, not quantity. As a society, we need to get away from the notion of quick-fix buying, and really strive for endurance and passion within our homes and lives.

As much as I love modern design, I love to mix with craft and handmade items. We've been bombarded with mass manufactured items for so long, I think people are becoming more aware of the value of true craftsmanship. I marvel at the detail and skill of a wonderful turned wood bowl. It’s a terrific example of both modern and craft living in harmony.

eye spy: Is your home filled with interesting, wonderful vintage & antique items?  What's does your home look like?

Sarah: YES! I think it’s so important to “flesh out” your home with interesting pieces. That’s what makes it your own. Incorporating a Crate & Barrel or Ikea sofa and chair set works when you layer with one-offs. We live in a small bungalow style home. It’s a real mix of estate sale, second hand items passed-down from family, and found-on-the-street style.  I am always moving things around as well. Changing furniture placement, trying different paint colors, switching art to different walls. It’s amazing how moving a sofa can completely change the energy in a room! 

I tend to incorporate a little bit of an asian influence in my rooms too.  i've lived in asia at different points of my life and can't get away from it!  Chinese peasant paintings are one of my favorite - bright graphic story telling scenes, and when in singapore stop by the John Erdos Gallery, an original “shop house” transformed into a beautiful home furnishings store.

eye spy: Do you rotate your stock through your own house? Do you remain unattached to these items? 

Sarah: I most certainly rotate stock through my house...  I like to think of that as one of the perks! And it’s a great way to let buyers know I really stand behind my pieces. I like to stick to this motto: I won't buy it if i couldn't live with it in my own home!

That’s the rub. I do become attached to pieces. But, I recognize the importance of continuing their life journey. I live with a piece for quite a while before I'm ready to release it into the world into someone else’s hands. My husband has one rule though... Anything new I bring in, something has to move out! 

eye spy: Is the economy affecting sales or how you structure your business? Do you do shows?

Sarah: I see buyers being more selective. Impulse buying is slowing down. Personally, I have adjusted my prices on items. Not only does this give the buyer the knowledge a receiving a just and fair deal, but it also allows me to turn the inventory to make room for new merchandise. My customers have also researched the item, checking into fair price points. But, at the end of the day, if you have a truly unique item, buyers will come out of the woodwork to purchase. 

I haven't done shows. Maybe it’s something with my generation that everything is done on the internet. Most customers find me online. Sending photos back and forth can be done so easily and convenient for all involved. This also allows me to expand my business all over the country. I love the ability to send an interested buyer a link to view all my current pieces and it’s on their time table to get back in touch for purchasing. 

eye spy: What is your favorite find ever or your most loved object?

Sarah: So hard to answer!  One of the greatest finds is a Cedric Hartman floor lamp that I picked up at an estate sale for $50. As for a loved object, I have an antique korean chest from my parents house that they bought when we lived in Hong Kong in the early 80s. I love knowing that my mom lived with it and now I have it. I also love to look around at the items we carried back from our travels — a buddha head from Phnom Penh for example. Looking at that particular object instantly takes me back to that time and place. Magical! 

You can find Sarah’s seating, objects, and decor in stores around Atlanta and, occasionally, on Craigslist. If you’d like to see her current available merchandise, email her for a link to photos.

Comments

[erin@designcrisis]

So many goodies! I NEED that pair of white faux bamboo lamps, and I have the same Mulhauser chair... great minds must think alike!

[susieq]

I knew you and Karly would like Sarah! She used to have a booth at this really great antique + junk place. Her's was the best. I love a pair of tall vintage Stiffel lamps she's got. Go to http://picasaweb.google.com/serferguson/AvailableItems?authkey=T1SFx9dF2ks# to see more of her available merchandise.

[Leah]

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