Meet Stylish Patina!
Six years ago the owner of this rad gift + furniture store, Kelly Millspaugh Thompson, made the leap from Corporate America to owning her own store! We are excited to have Stylish Patina give gifts to all of our guests at both our January 10th Vendor Social AND our March 9th Couples Social!
When did you decide you wanted to open your own company?
I was an Executive in Corporate America for almost 20 years then opened my own business consulting business firm and was designing and custom painting vintage furniture for fun. Eventually, it became so popular I decide why not try to make a go of it! That was in 2010!
How did you come up with the name of your business?
My husband and I have a 1976 green pick up truck we call Ira and we always said Ira had a lot of “Patina” (in other words he was well worn and a little beat up)! When it came to naming the business, we immediately thought Stylish Patina because I love taking vintage items – especially things that others think should be discarded – and giving them modern function with vintage soul.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about your business?
Stylish Patina offers unique and interesting vintage home furnishings as well as gifts + home decor accents at the shop in Falls Church City. We are the premier stockiest for Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan and Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. Once a month, we open our warehouse, Rough Luxe Market, which is filled with lighting, vintage furniture, custom farm tables, and much more.
Any info on your team you’d like to share?
Sarah Kaye is my manager and right-hand girl. Heather Hubert has been with me since the beginning and is my left-hand crafter and master of the power tools! Both of them are native to Northern Virginia and I couldn’t run the business without them. They help with the painting of the furniture for the shops and any custom work we do for clients. We are a rowdy but fun group! On Monday’s, we listen to music eat junk food and paint until we are covered from head-to-toe!
Is there anything you’d like our readers to know about you personally?
I am a Virginia Native, mom of 1 year-old twins + 3 dogs, Starbucks + Target addict, and I can’t stop finding vintage furniture and painting it!
What is your favorite part about what you do?
Helping to turn our customers houses into homes! Each piece has an impact their daily lives.
Do you have a favorite or most memorable story related to your business?
One day I was driving down the road and saw these two HUGE church benches – 10 feet each! – on the side of the road. I called my mom and we went to pick up Ira and headed over to the church that was getting rid of them. I have to say my mom and I had many a laugh over everything we went through to get those monsters in the truck! They were painted and found a loving home in Oakton, VA!
Do you have a favorite type of event or wedding?
I love beautifully simple events and weddings — pairing farm tables with ghost chairs, vintage china and glassware, tons of candle light, lots of greenery with little pops of color, accents of gold and brass. All under a white tent on a farm in the country. If I had to name the style I would call it Vintage Luxe.
Stylish Patina, Home + Gift Shop
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kelly@stylishpatina.com
