Grouse Studios, located in Frenchtown, sells art by local artists, antiques, and handpainted furniture. The store is located a few minutes from Bucks County and just down the road from Flemington and Lambertville New Jersey.

The following is an interview that first appeared on Frenchtowner.com and it tells the story of Grouse Antiques and it’s owner Julia Rose-Dick.

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FT: How did you end up in Frenchtown?

 
Julia:
I wanted my store to be located in an area where art is important and can be appreciated. I also wanted the store to be located in an area where shopping is still an event; a way to spend the day with your family or friends, have lunch, explore the shops, and enjoy the local area. Frenchtown is a natural choice.

FT: Are you an artist or an antique dealer?

Julia:
I am both. I see no contradiction in the two. I love both art and antiques.

FT: How did you end up being an artist and an antique dealer?

Julia:
Several years ago I began collecting furniture to recycle and reuse in a cabin that my husband and I were building in upstate New York. Coincidently, around that same time, my husband noticed an article in the newspaper about my high school art teacher and his wife (Bob and Jacki Jiorle) who had recently opened an antique shop. In the article it mentioned that he was offering art classes at the antique shop. I ventured over there to inquire about a course in silversmithing, but ended up taking a pottery class instead. I later took that silversmithing class and others. Before I knew it, I was renting a space from them to sell my wares, as well as working in the antique store. Bob and Jacki later asked me to teach a children’s pottery class.

Bob began giving me furniture that needed to be painted. He and Jacki were very helpful in offering me their critique when the piece would come back to the store for resale. He then began giving me things that needed to be fixed or refinished. As my skill level increased, so did the value of the pieces he was giving me. I later found myself doing custom refinishing for customers.

I really enjoy taking something old and extremely well made and giving it new life. I recycle whenever possible. If an item is wood and is in good condition structurally, I will restore the finish to its original form, as best I can. However, if the finish is destroyed and there are structural problems, I often choose to paint these items. And in the worse cases when there is way too much damage or too much of the original piece missing, then I salvage what I can for reuse on another item. This is where it becomes a creative art form. I have a problem throwing away anything which is handmade. I value the craftsmanship and the time involved in making something from scratch. Every item has a story and gives us back a piece of the past.

FT: How would you describe your style?

Julia:
My style is unique and eclectic. If you look at the interior of our home, and the interior of store you will find informal comfortable furniture, mixed with natural materials (wood, wicker, pottery, stone), but there is always a strong emphasis on nature. The nature theme is most prevalent in my work. I love trees, leaves, plants and animals. The bird theme is pretty apparent at the store; I have had several people ask me about birding.

FT: How would you describe your store?

Julia:
Its art gallery meets grandma’s house. There are pieces for every taste, age and style. It has a homey feel. I want people to feel relaxed when they shop here. I want them to ask questions or tell me about an item they remember from their childhood. I’m always learning from my customers.

FT: What are your favorite items in the store right now?

Julia:
My handmade pottery sinks and vanities are number one because they are entirely my vision. They are my signature pieces. They also surprise people when they see them. I adore Bob Jiorle’s hand cut stone and sterling silver jewelry; these are little pieces of sculptural art. I also love Margie Milne’s painting “Blue jay and Winter Berries”, this painting depicts a very realistic blue jay with a marvelous abstract background.

FT: Why should people come to see your store? What makes it unique?

Julia:

They should come to see my store because I think it is unique and they will be surprised. I think once they have visited the store they will remember it because it does not feel like a gallery or an antique store, yet the art is here and so are the antiques. I believe it is unique because allot of the items are one-of-a-kind. I am extremely proud of the quality and selection of items that I offer. These items come from artists that I know and whose work I admire. Their talent enhances my style.