Callie Jenschke and Nicki Clendening know the thrill of discovering a gem in a heap of derelict vintage furnishings. In fact, they've made a career out of it: The duo behind New York City interior-decorating firm Scout Designs scours the globe for Persian rugs, African feather headdresses and other eclectic accents to spruce up their clients' homes.
Now the rest of us can get in on the worldly decorating action with their just-launched online boutique, Mercantile. The site sells a rotating selection of 25 pieces of furniture, antiques and artwork, which the ladies have carefully culled through their years of flea-market shopping.
When an item is sold, it's immediately replaced with another treasure. Currently up for grabs are a set of burnished Italian serving trays ($375), a massive African antelope mask ($425) and a geometric-patterned Turkish wool rug ($475).
Detailed info is given for each piece--for example, Berber women in northeast Morocco made a cream-colored carpet--and whenever possible, Jenschke and Clendening will refurbish pieces that have suffered wear and tear over the years.
Excellent news for anyone worried about the missing tusks on that otherwise perfect elephant-legged side table.
