A 12 months in the past, Alexander Widener give up his job to maneuver to Maine and observe an unlikely dream: to open an antiques store.
And it labored: Alexander’s store and visitor cottage, Widener Firm, is the speak of New England and past, thanks partly to Alexander’s wild Instagram following. (Maybe you caught his “Tremendous Bowl” video final weekend—on, sure, bowls.)
Earlier than shopkeeper life within the small village of Wiscasset, Alexander labored within the textile world for the likes of Matouk, Sister Parish textiles, and Samuel & Sons—however he says his penchant for accumulating and love of interiors goes again even additional, to his childhood in Pennsylvania, Right this moment he writes in from Maine, the place he lives along with his husband, Bradly, and canine, Rudy, to share the sheets he harbors a “deep obsession” for, the film condo he needs to maneuver into, and extra:
Pictures by Ari Kellerman, courtesy of Alexander Widener.
What’s in your bedside desk?
A classic Laura Ashley lamp with a silk pleated lampshade, a glass of water I forgot to drink, my pink mild remedy masks, kindle, and a silver-framed image of my canine.
What’s a movie or TV present whose aesthetic has caught with you?
If I may stay inside Kathleen Kelly’s Higher West Facet condo from You’ve Obtained Mail, I’d do it right away. In a single scene, you possibly can see some octagonal John Derian plates, and I don’t know if I needs to be embarrassed to say this, however I tracked down comparable ones from the ’90s on eBay and have them right here at residence.
My favourite sheets are…
I’ve a deep obsession with the French model D. Porthault. Clearly, they’re out of price range, however I’ve been fortunate to seek out some classic items, and I treasure them like nothing else. They’re so mushy and are available in so many cheerful prints. The outdated ones have been totally stitched by hand and final ceaselessly.
My favourite paint shade for the bed room is…
The decorator Sister Parish all the time lined her lampshades in pink silk as a result of she thought the sunshine was extra flattering that manner. Ever since I heard that, I’ve needed to have a pink bed room (perhaps sometime I’ll… ). I feel Pink Floor by Farrow & Ball could be the proper shade.
My unpopular design opinion is…
…that second-hand furnishings is all the time higher. The development, supplies, and high quality are ten occasions greater than what you will get right now for a fraction of the value.
Your design pet peeve?
Whereas I actually assume folks ought to adorn their areas in a manner that makes them really feel blissful, for me, I’ll by no means get behind artificial supplies. My worst nightmare is a polyester curtain, a laminate wooden flooring, or a faux-brass faucet. I’m drawn to supplies that present the hand of the one that made them and indicators of age over time. I’d a lot moderately have an outdated, soiled wool rug with holes in it than a plastic rug that may go within the washer.
My go-to kitchen utensil is…
My buddy and neighbor, Eric of Village Handcraft, makes essentially the most stunning hand-carved spoons. I by no means cook dinner dinner with out one!
Favourite design store to go to (on-line or in individual)?
I give up my job final 12 months and moved to Maine to open my very own interiors store, so I really feel like I’ve to say Widener Firm. We’ve got a mixture of antiques and new handmade objects for the house. It’s been my greatest pleasure bringing it to life. It’s the form of retailer I all the time dreamed of procuring at.
Thanks a lot, Alexander! You possibly can observe his work @alexander_widener and widenercompany.com—or cease in should you’re passing by means of Wiscasset.
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