Elena is a charming stunning woman with incredible style. Her new store "Room" features stylish lighting fixtures, fine furniture, distinctive decorative accessories and fine art by local artists.

Here is our interview:
FT: How did you end up in Frenchtown?

Elena:
I’ve always loved the river towns along the Delaware. I've lived in Milford and worked in Lambertville but Frenchtown has always held a special charm and quaintness for me. I love it here. Frenchtown has great people, food, scenery and wonderful shops. It's an incredible little resource for home décor with a great mix of styles and specializations. I thought this would be a perfect location for what I had in mind.


FT: How did you end up in design?

Elena:
Being an artistic person, I’ve always created beautiful spaces in my own home. Even as a starving actress in my first teeny little apartment in New York City, I managed to create a beautiful little retreat for myself with flea market finds and found objects (oh, the treasures people throw out in the city). As the years went on, I found myself in retail lighting and furnishing design, specializing in an ornate European country look. Recently however I decided it was time for me to break out on my own and pursue my own vision of home décor which has a lighter, cleaner look with good classic lines.






FT: How would you describe your style?

Elena:
I’ve always loved antiques, but I’ve developed a keen appreciation of classic contemporary and modern design, especially of mid century modern design. Trends are definitely moving toward the transitional and I’m moving right along with them. Transitional takes the classic design elements of traditional and cleans it up with simple lines and updated finishes. In the store I feature an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary pieces with a few modern ones to act as design counterpoints. I have a smattering of Asian and French pieces as well. I want to show my customers how an interesting mix can have a cohesive feel and that it’s okay to introduce an updated transitional element into a traditional home.




FT: What are your favorite items in the store right now?

Elena:
Boy, that’s hard to pin down. I love everything. But if I had to pick just of few to talk about I’d have to say I love my French inspired white lacquered bombe chest. It has such clean elegant lines and it's gorgeous in black too.

I have a couple of capiz [capiz shell] chandeliers right now but my favorite is a round pendant that's entirely made up of capiz lotus flowers. One of my customers says it throws the most beautiful pattern on the walls and ceiling in her bedroom. What’s so nice about this piece is how easily it can work in a bathroom, foyer, dining room or even a kitchen.

Now I have to talk about the corner chairs that are everybody’s favorite. They can be used separately, be put together as a loveseat, or as I have them, together facing opposite directions creating an intimate cozy spot to have a tête-à-tête or romantic tryst. They come in a lovely mocha chocolate velvet and rich ebony wood finish. They are so comfortable.

Also I’m excited about my beautiful new Chinese drum table that just came in this week. It’s an actual musical drum that I offer by itself or with a round beveled edge glass top that ranges in size from 24 to 60 inches. It’s perfect in the foyer or as a dining table and it makes for a strikingly beautiful piece.

I have assortment of small gift items but my favorite as well as many of my customers is the gorgeous colorful etched and blown glass vases I’ve discovered. I’ve always loved glass and these add such a lovely accent as well as being totally utilitarian.

But I’d be absolutely remiss if I didn’t mention Buel Ecker’s exquisite artwork that is gracing my walls for a short time this summer. Buel is a local artist from Long Valley, NJ who I am featuring currently. I have many pieces of her black and white series that shows her masterful Chinese brush work that is so evocative as well as some of her lovely watercolor pieces. One of her pieces speaks directly to my heart and I don’t want to let it go but I won’t mention which one because if I do, I’m afraid it really will disappear from my life forever. On July 19th I’ll be having an artist reception for her from 3pm to 7pm. I invite all who can make it to stop by and meet fabulous Buel. My grand opening will be held at the same time!






FT: Do you have a design philosophy, and if so what is it?

Elena:
Yes, I do! I believe that rooms should be comfortable and livable; have functionality as well as good design. It’s a mistake to sacrifice one for the other. Striking that perfect balance between style and comfort, form and function is what I strive for. I would always start with how people live in their rooms or how they want a room to function. Start with function. Then find beautiful pieces that can fulfill that function.






FT: Do you do design, decor, color and furnishings consultations, or home staging?

Elena:
I’d be happy to offer my services as a design consultant or assist with home staging. I have extensive knowledge of lighting design. My years as a textile artist have given me a fine sense of color and balance with an eye for detail.



============
Conclusion:

It is great to have incredibly talented people like Elena move to Frenchtown to start their businesses. We wish her all the prosperity and abundance in the universe. When you go in to see her, tell her Frenchtowner sent you!

John Stringfellow: Owner, Editor, Writer and Janitor @ Frenchtowner.com