One of my favorite ways to add interest to a space is by layering unusual or one-of-a-kind objects, including light fixtures, lamps, and shades. A beautiful lamp with a handmade or custom detailed shade can add so much depth to a vignette. And, I don’t think you can beat the soft glow of lamplight compared to overhead lighting. Many of my favorite lamps that I purchase for clients are made from special objects (ceramic vases, sculpture, metalwork, wood carvings, pottery, etc) that have been repurposed into lamps. And, more than any other shop I have encountered in my travels, Edgar Reeves specializes in these fabulous pieces. For those of you that did not catch her profile on 1st Dibs, I am happy to introduce you to my friend, Stephanie Reeves.
When I am shopping for special lighting, one of my first stops is Stephanie’s shop, Edgar Reeves in Atlanta. She and Emma, her loveable poodle, greet me at the door with gracious hospitality, offering refreshments, (and worthers candies) for the weary traveling designer! Stephanie and her lovely staff are always willing to help me find exactly what I am looking for, or are just happy to browse through the store with me. Once I have picked out something special, we select or design one of their custom shades to finish it off. Shading a lamp correctly is almost a science, (and come to think of it would be a great topic for a future post) and Stephanie and her staff have mastered it! Whether I am looking for lamps, sconces, chandeliers, or unusual antiques and accessories, Edgar- Reeves is always worth the visit. Stephanie has hand-selected every item in the shop, and her keen eye for detail, and refined style shine through. Below are some photos from her wonderful shop and some of the lamps we have placed in our interiors, enjoy!
Tell us a little bit about the history of the shop.
After 20 years of teaching elementary school, I realized that profession is for the very young, those with endless energy who never tire of repeating themselves. I was unbelievably fortunate to have what I call the most fabulous “apprenticeship” that one could have, learning the world of antiques. I worked at ADAC for 2 years for Tom Hayes and Toby West. They have magnificent taste and I loved being around their beautiful inventory. They included elegant English silk shades on their lamps, but did not sell them as separate items…and people were constantly requesting just shades for their own lamps. Tom and Toby encouraged me to go out on my own to sell shades separately. This I did, starting out with 50 shades and 10 lamps in a room I rented from Dotty Travis in her former antique shop. As they say, the rest is history.
What inspired you to enter the antiques business?
I grew up in south Florida in the fifties and sixties where all my friends had new furniture of that era. In my home we had “old stuff” which I later learned were antiques. For me the rugs, furniture and accessories always presented much more appeal than newer items.
Also, as I said above, Tom Hayes and Toby West gave me a wonderful introduction to the world of antiques.
What is your specialty?
I feel Edgar-Reeves has a double forte:
a- We take interesting found objects and with the best carvers and craftsmen available, make them into appealing and highly desirable decorative lamps, and
b- We try to find the most complementary shade in terms of fabric, size, configuration and construction for the room in which it will be placed.
What is one thing that would surprise others about you?
Probably that I taught school for 20 year to 4th and 5th graders. My favorite curriculum was T.S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, the poems that were the basis of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, CATS. The students spent the school year studying the poems, their vocabulary and meaning and then flew to NYC for the day to see the play. It was a public school, so any student who might have difficulty paying could be given a scholarship.
What are your favorite books right now?
Personally I love English mysteries, P.D. James and the like. Professionally my favorite book of the last decade is Bunny Williams’s AN AFFAIR WITH A HOUSE. It is so very evident that she loves every aspect of her house, especially entertaining in an artful, yet relaxed manner.
Do you have any travel tips for your favorite destinations?
When going to cities which are unbelievably rich in history, I think one of the smartest things one can do is to invest in the VERY BEST guide available. One of my favorite memories is going through Ephesus, with a private guide who had been the director of an archeological museum. I can’t imagine a better introduction to that area!
What do you want readers to know about your shop?
I’d like our readers to know that we have shades and lamps at all different price points. We have some really fabulous linens which we are making up in hard back as well as in pleats.
What are your favorite shops to visit?
The first place I love to go shopping is NYC. It really is “the big apple” and is unbelievably inspirational. It really gets the creative juices flowing. My second choice is Palm Beach, whether it is Worth Avenue or Dixie Highway; they have a little bit of everything.
Do you have a shop dog?
We now have our second standard poodle shop dog, Emma, a two and a half year old who is still exhibiting many puppy tendencies. For those who are unaware, some facts (from my soap box) about poodles need to be shared:
–the word poodle comes from the German “pudeln” which means “to slash in water”, not from any word French
–poodles have gotten a bad wrap because of their often bizarre clips; originally as sporting dogs tufts of hair were left to keep their joints warm as they chased birds in frigid waters
–a wonderful article in one of last year’s GARDEN AND GUN magazines showed an elegant poodle returning with a bird in its mouth during field trials in Thomasville, GA
How could a shop get any better than Edgar Reeves? And with a standard poodle “shop assistant” like Emma. I, too, have a very large blue standard, Jones, as my shop assistant and I’m sure that he would love to meet Emma. It is amazing how these large beasties negotiate their bodies through a filled antiques shop and welcome and remember all of the clients. I love all of Stephanie’s lamps and her entire space. Thanks for the inspiration!! Mary