Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Chandler.
Lori, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a San Diego native, have loved antiques & vintage since I was very young and I started selling vintage home & garden decor in various antique malls on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach over 25 years ago. It was inevitable that one day I would end up owning a vintage shop on that street & Vignettes was launched in 1995. On my very first trip to Paris, (to study when I was in high school) I became hooked on anything & everything a la Francais & the love of French design still runs thru everything I pursue & create.
To this day, my heart still skips a beat whenever I find fabulous weathered, decor, discover a magnificent architectural piece or stumble onto a worn, leather-bound French book. I love vintage & it is my life. Repurposing items, particularly flawed objects, brings me great joy & I love the idea & philosophy of finding the beauty in the imperfect. Flaws are beautiful – that is my mantra & the time-worn patina & faded elegance that comes from age is what gives an item its soulful allure & ultimately turns it into an objet d’art.
As the shop grew, I understood the importance of surrounding myself with the greatest talents & that has been a huge key to the success of the shop. We all rise up to a higher level of creativity by learning from & supporting each other. Our unrivaled inventory of curated, vintage items are made possible thru the shop’s exclusive group of talented designers, artisans, creators, and inventors – all here under one roof. We travel the world in search of unique, uncommon goods.
Vintage decor, faded objects, fascinating oddities and all that is timeworn is our world and what the shop is built around, accomplished by the most talented group of vendors in the business – Its a powerful combination!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not say ‘struggles,’ but rather real challenges to figure out & adapt to. Probably the biggest challenge was realizing very early on, that I would have to keep the shop evolving to keep it thriving in a fast-paced world of changing tastes & styles in the home decor world… 23 years later & we continue to evolve to stay relevant & on top of trends which is key.
The endless paperwork, high rent, soaring costs & dealing with a lot of personalities is just part & parcel of running a business. I’m very fortunate to have mentors that I turn to on a regular basis for guidance & to bounce ideas off of. That has been crucial for me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vignettes – what should we know?
For over 20 years, Vignettes has been known for its unique style & highly defined settings of vintage & antique home & garden decor. Through the years the shop has focused on tracking down the most one-of-a-kind, show-stopping finds and then merchandising these grand pieces of the past, into irresistible, must have displays.
From sophisticated to whimsy, small accents to grand statements, we seek to find the ultimate decor that will delight & amaze you. Whether you’re looking for industrial, French country, farmhouse, architectural, mid-century or bohemian decor – we travel the world to find those pieces, the designs, and the inspiration – that you won’t find anywhere else – to give your home that au courant edge.
Our belief is, when you surround yourself with vintage pieces and uncommon goods, ones that you feel a connection with, not only will you create your own signature look, but your home will always stand apart with unsurpassed style. In today’s cookie-cutter world, choosing vintage and antique over mass-produced assures unparalleled, one-of-a-kind decor that will put the soul into your interiors & turn the place you live into the home you love.
We work hard to provide the most unique items while understanding the importance of price points. In this day & age where value is the new chic, we strive to keep our margins low & price points fair which leads to extremely rapid turn-over of merchandise that keeps the shop constantly changing.
Beautifully layered, vintage home decor, clever staging & over the top merchandising has been our signature from day one & what has set us apart. The experience, every time you walk in, is intoxicating & why customers tell us every day, that we’re their favorite shop in San Diego.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Providing an experience, that is unforgettable. In French, the expression “Etonner et enchantera les” means “To astonish & delight them,” that – has always been my goal & what I’ve built the business around, as well as surrounding myself with the most talented designers & artisans in the business – it’s a powerful combination!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4828 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107
- Website: Vignettesdecor.com
- Phone: 619-222-9244
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @vignettesdecor
- Facebook: Vignettes
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
