One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Some very talented Adelaideans have the extraordinary ability to seek out unique and interesting pieces of furniture, and then return them to their former glory.
Phil and Tanya are two such people, launching a brand new furniture and homewares store, Eclectic Revival this month. Based in Stepney, this new vintage haven will house a range of mid-century furniture, particular teak veneer (Phil’s favourite), as well as a collection of glassware hailing from the 50s-70s.
“When COVID hit, Phil lost his job because of COVID so he was looking for projects to tied him over. I’ve always loved vintage furniture – it reminds me of my childhood. So I bought a piece for him to restore, and another and another!” said Tanya.
“He loved restoring it, and I loved buying it. We started selling a bit on marketplace and it was doing really well. He’s a great restorer, so we wanted to show that off with the new store!
“I used to go through my mums cupboards and find these magnificent red empoli genie glasses. I had them in my lounge room and my collection just started to grow. When we decided to open a shop, I decided to just keep buying beautiful glassware and feature them in the store.”
Saving furniture isn’t the only thing Phil and Tanya have enjoyed doing while establishing Eclectic Revival. The pair have extended their love for history to the restoration of their brand new shop site.
Open from 24 May (ideally), Phil and Tanya have removed all the modern changes to the shop and restored the location back to its former beauty. The space can now be shared with the public, offering workspaces for artists to finesse their crafts.
“We just love it. Finding something that’s old and neglected and was going to go to the tip and transforming it into something beautiful… there’s something special about that,” said Tanya.
Eclectic Revival also intends to hold regular workshops and events, so even the non-artsy can learn from the best and try something new.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have spaces to show their work that doesn’t cost them an arm and a leg,” said Tanya.
“We’ve got this space – so we thought ‘why not let people use it as well?’ We’re also going to be doing workshops in the next few months. Smaller artisans can hold workshops in the store and guests can learn how to make jewellery or candles or other new skills over a glass of wine.”
Find Eclectic Revival at 128a Payneham Road, Stepney, 5069.
Check out Eclectic Revival online, or on Facebook and Instagram.
