Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole and Ryan Hobbs.
Nicole and Ryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We have always loved Mid Century Modern Furniture. Our first purchase was a danish modern teak table and it grew from there. After our son was born and we moved to San Diego, Nicole wanted to be able to work from home and do something she loved. We began tentatively, a wall unit here, a dresser there. As our confidence has grown, so has our passion for the era. We began by only buying what we could fit in our tiny house and so our main rule has always been: Only buy what we love and we would put in our home. Only buying what we think is beautiful and useful has served us well. To this day, if we look at a piece and we think I would not want that in my house we will not purchase it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a winding road being able to trust our own taste and intuition. Learning to refinish and making lots of horrible mistakes along the way. Bootstrapping a business with no investments or money and using our own personal money to build the business and buy inventory is a continuing challenge. We’re also always trying to learn new techniques to refinish wood beautifully.
Hobbs Modern – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a husband and wife team. Our 5-year-old is our muscle and color consultant. We specialize in Mid Century and Danish Modern Furniture and Decor. We buy and sell in San Diego and ship across the country. Our only hard and fast rule is we buy what we love. We are known for restoring pieces with incredible attention to detail and hunting down rare and one of a kind items. We believe that people are looking to mix styles. Mid Century and Scandinavian Modern fit into any design style seamlessly. We love the quiet confidence of the Mid Century Modern design.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To rescue something from the dump and to restore it to its original condition. To repurpose and recycle gorgeous pieces that are full of history. Often, we will carry incredible stories and details to the new owner. Some case pieces started life overseas just after the war or have traveled across the USA. Some bear the scars, scratches and marks of a well-loved life. When someone falls in love with a dresser, we have found and restored, it becomes part of their story. That’s a success for us.
We have had clients at times that have been looking five years for a rare set of dining chairs or that special dresser or perfect chair. Success is finding that piece and helping them complete their home. Knowing these pieces made in the ’50s or ’60s will live on for another 60 years fills us with joy. It’s also good for the environment too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hobbsmodern.com
- Phone: (818) 209-1367
- Email: hobbsmodern@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Hobbsmodern
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
