New store sells items to fit many ‘Lifestyles’

June 17, 2012

Lifestyles is Bremen’s newest upscale, resale, furniture and interior design affects store. Photo by Angel Perkins

BREMEN — The newest store in town sells products that will fit into anyone’s lifestyle and home decor. Lifestyles, the name chosen by Barb Stouder for her upscale, resale, furniture and interior design affects store, is housed in the building she previously ran Heart of the Garden from for 14 years.
She said she came (partially) out of retirement for what she calls a hobby — moving unused pieces of decor from one home to another.
Items for sale are always changing as things are sold and their spaces refilled. Currently there is everything from an elegant Depression Era vanity and a retro stereo tunable cabinet (that still plays records!) to wicker furniture and nautical indoor and outdoor design accents.
Regardless of a shopper’s home decor, they are sure to find something, a lamp, chair, table, couch, dresser, dining set ,vanity, picture, bed frame, quilt, novelty piece, or accent that will fit right in with what they already have. Smartly displayed, Stouder arranges the showroom with similarly-themed pieces amongst those from another era, so one might find a single item or perhaps like the meld enough to purchase the entire setting. And with the affordable prices, customers can do just that.
“The seller and I split it 50-50,” Stouder explained. “I choose a reasonable selling price because I can judge what something is worth and what someone would be willing to pay for it. This is a business but we’re not trying to get rich from it. These are things that are nice, not stained or worn, but the seller just doesn’t want them any more.”
She said she is always taking in items from new consigners and currently has 19 who bring their gently-used, clean, unused or unwanted furniture in, such as floral couches and living room sets to more unique items like the small pew seat or a “telephone bench” which are all awaiting a new home. At this time no electric pieces (other than lamps) are being accepted nor are appliances, and cash and local checks are accepted for payment.
Stouder explained that she will display items for 60 days and if the piece doesn’t sell, the consigner can choose to re-consign the item for another 60 days, or pick it up, or it will be donated.
Lifestyles also has Coca-Cola memorabilia for sale as well as decorative, one-of-a-kind glass, yard ornaments, “hobby art pieces” created by her husband Jay.
Lifestyles is located at 911 W. Plymouth St., Bremen, and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more, call 574-209-1075.