Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Tanner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I come from a long line of antique dealers, collectors, appraisers and interior designers and decorators. I also come from a long line of women who can make something from nothing. I think that Strangelovely is born of both of those traits. I am lucky to have been raised around lovely things and have developed an eye for quality and beauty. I also never had the funds to just buy what I wanted, so I had to learn to be creative and make something from nothing. And I did! Even when I was very little I would rearrange my room and make everyone come see it. I would also hit the yard sales with my Mom and Grandma. When I think about it, I don’t think there was any other profession for me. I earned a BFA in Interior Design but never felt compelled to engage in any of the traditional interior design paths. I really struggled to find my way and spent a lot of years doing nothing related to interior design. But I did always refinish furniture for fun. When it finally occurred to me to try and sell a piece it seemed so logical. And when a piece finally sold I was hooked! I always say that “once, I finally figured out what I wanted to do, there was no way I could do anything else.” I started selling pieces online that I refinished in my basement, then I rented a TINY space in an antique mall, and I was SO excited and proud. I still am, that was a big step for me. I moved my operations out of my basement and into a warehouse studio for a couple of years and that was a great growing experience. I learned and grew so much in those 2 years. It was during those years that I quit my day job and started running Strangelovely full time. A year ago, I finally opened my first retail storefront and I couldn’t be happier.
Has it been a smooth road?
The struggle is real! Yes, of course I struggle with so. many. things. Knowing when to leave the safety of a steady paycheck was tough, but the best decision I ever made. And knowing where my limited financial resources are best used. I have a crisis of confidence just about every week. I compare myself to my peers and hope I can keep up.
Getting the storefront open was challenging (to put it nicely) and a nightmare that made me cry and obsess and pace a lot more than I like to admit (to put it accurately).
There are a million things to worry about every single day but ultimately, I am doing exactly what I want to be doing, so I’m good.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Strangelovely story. Tell us more about the business.
Strangelovely is a small, woman owned business in Chicago specializing in vintage furniture and home decor. We are great at finding the hidden gems that others miss and styling it in a way that makes it come to life! We love things that are Strange, Lovely and all points between, we are known to have a wildly eclectic mix of styles and periods and blending them into thoughtful and cohesive vignettes. We are also known for our mirror collection lately and we tend to have really great sofas.
At Strangelovely we are proud to support other small businesses in Chicago. We carry a local candle company and a local jewelry designer and maker and have pillows and textiles sewn by a local seamstress. We also partner with small, local vendors for services like welding, upholstery, social media management, web maintenance, delivery services, photography and more. We are also proud to refer our customers to other vintage dealers in the area. It’s a great community of professionals and we all support each other.
I think our aesthetic is different from anyone else in the area. We can’t be pigeon holed into one style, period or aesthetic. Honestly, I just buy what I like and make it all work together. I believe we offer exceptional and personal customer service. It’s important to me that our customers feel comfortable and well taken care of in our shop. Service is becoming a lost art, and I hope that we are doing our part to bring it back.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The future is bright for Vintage Dealers! There is such a wealth of talent out there, showing the world how to buy, style and use older furniture for how we live today. The old chestnut “they don’t make ’em like they used to” is 100% true. The more my colleagues and I educate people about the quality of materials and craftsmanship of vintage the more they will be inspired to buy these pieces. What’s more, we keep just one more piece of furniture out of a landfill. The entire industry is a movement really. The inventory, though plentiful, is finite. No one is making more of these particular pieces. I have seen this industry grown leaps and bounds in the last 5 years and I suspect that it will continue to grow at the same pace, or faster.
I think that trends will follow the same ebb and flow they always have. We saw shabby chic make a huge splash and then gently fade out, but not completely. We see brass everything, everywhere, all the time. I happen to love it, but some would say that it’s out, out, out. Trends are fine and it’s good to embrace them when they work with your style, but what always remains is a true sense of timeless style. That won’t change no matter what trends come and go. And that’s why vintage is here to stay.
Contact Info:
- Address: Strangelovely
North Avenue Collective
2511 West North Avenue, Chicago IL 60647
Wednesday – Sunday, 12-7 - Website: www.strangelovely.com
- Phone: 773-633-0826
- Email: kim@strangelovely.com
Image Credit:
Emilia Jane Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
