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Now in their 10th year, owners Kristen and Charlie Allen started out with a closed gas station and turned it into a high-end garden furniture store. With a keen ability to know what their customers seek, they have added a line of lamps and accessories imported from Europe that would make most interior designers feel like a kid in a candy store.
From the outside, the Allens keep their store looking simple, sleek and quite generic looking. Only does the oversized water spigot sculpture confirm you have arrived at the right address. Once inside the door, it feels more like a decorative arts museum, making you want to check everything out. From the traditional decor and specially located architectural artifacts, Avantgarden has many intriguing items available
The first thing that seems amiss is the lack of Asian inspired objects. This is all quickly and perfectly replaced by a variety of antique furnishings, kinetic sculptures and multiple large lamps that would make a potential buyer want to first make sure the front door to their house is wide enough.
“We took what was a former gas station that was sitting dormant,” said Kristen while giving a brief tour of the showroom. “It was an eyesore and we made the effort to fix it up as we wanted to bring something different to Pound Ridge.”
The Allens are aware Scotts Corners was once a thriving destination location for unique antique stores and they would like to see the town return to that time. What they offer certainly has contributed to helping to once again make Pound Ridge the place to go for decorative arts.
As with many businesses these days with a unique line, Avantgarden also retains a loyal customer base from its Internet sales.
Charlie was raised in the South Kensington part of London and spent several years working for Conran’s and Harrods. Kristen was raised nearby in New Canaan and their talents for displaying hard-to-find items appear very well presented. While some of the items are quite tall in appearance, Kristen and Charlie take into consideration what is available in New York City and elsewhere by making their prices quite reasonable.
Avantgarden Ltd is located at 87 Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge and their phone is (914) 764-0010.
Laurance Baschkin is a resident of Pound Ridge.
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