Kent In Chappaqua Offers New And Vintage Home Goods

Michael Kalesti opened Kent in Chappaqua in April 2010. A trendy headquarters, showroom and showcase all in one, Kent offers furniture and home goods that are both vintage and brand new. 

"I consider it clean, modern-contemporary with a vintage feel," Kalesti said, sitting on a white 1960s couch he refurbished himself. "I don't do much restoration, I try to keep things in their most original state."

Kent is located on King Street in Chappaqua. It is a sunny store lined throughout with vintage lamps, chairs and sofas. There are shelves of fragrant candles in beautiful glass holders and a case of sparkling vintage jewlery. In the front there is a vintage iron cart with large skinny wheels holding colorful and unique drinking glasses. 

"It's a mixture of vintage and new things for the home," he said of his store. And while Kent offers mid-to-high range home decor items, there are also plenty of items under $50 for that "perfect" gift. These include candles, candleholders, trays, frames and table linens.  

Chappaqua resident Eliza Fitch stopped in Kent one day and was impressed with what she saw. 

"When you walk in there, you're so blown away," she said. "It's like this little secret. It's so nice to have a store like this in Chappaqua."

Soon, Fitch and Kalesti became friends. For his decorating advice, she in turn offered to help him with his company's website. She wanted others to learn about Chappaqua's newest interior decor store. 

"I dropped into the store when I heard he had opened and I just really loved his style," she said. "He is just wonderful, he's got a great eye and he sometimes will come over and I'll have him help with decorating." 

Kalesti has always loved beautiful things. Whether it was the twenty years he spent working in menswear for companies such as Calvin Klein, or his affinity for European travel, he has always had an eye out for the creative and the unique. 

"I find things at estate sales, tag sales, flea markets and through a network of dealers," he said. 

These items he nows displays at the King Street location, which he also uses as headquarters when he works with interior decorators, as well as a home base for e-commerce he hopes to do in the future. But it was this first step- to open the store itself, which Kalesti is most proud of. 

"I've been wanting to do this for a couple years and I'm pleased with the way the business is growing and the exposure," he said. "A lot of press is coming out recently, which is great." 

Some of the publicity Kent has recently received includes a nod from Elle Decor magazine, due to come out in October. The store will be featured on a "What's Hot" list. 

When asked himself what's "hot" for the home, Kasteli thinks a bit, and looks around his eclectic store. 

"I encourage people to mix contemporary and classic," he said, just as he had done in his store so successfully. To do this, he suggests mixing cool and unique lighting or side tables in classically-decorated home.

"Don't be afraid to try something different," he said.