Farmhouse Store Owners Meet Martha Stewart and HGTV Star

Ed Menapace and Bill Curtis, co-owners of the Farmhouse Store, met with Martha Stewart and HGTV star Genevieve Gorder at the recent High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina.

Stewart unveiled her new Martha Stewart Fine Furniture collection in the Miles Talbott showroom in High Point on Saturday, April 23rd. Menapace and Curtis and one of their in-house designers, Gail Marner, spoke with Stewart about her new line during a reception for the line launch.

"Martha is a complete pro," Curtis said. "I don't know how you deal with that level of fame.  Everyone in the room - about 150 people - wanted some of her time - a photo, a few words. She made time for everyone who wanted to meet her. I'm sure that happens daily for her. Must be exhausting."

Stewart spoke of her desire to offer "a sensible, considered approach to scale, proportion and function that ensure the furniture will merge seamlessly into day-to-day living."

"We saw the furniture before she actually did," Curtis added. "She had only seen it in sketch form. She saw the finished product for the first time when she came to the showroom. That was pretty interesting to me."

Menapace told Stewart that her early television programs spotlighting American crafters was one of his inspirations for opening the Farmhouse Store five years ago as a craft gallery. 

The original 1500-square-foot Farmhouse Store space has grown to over 10,000 square feet at 221 East Broad Street in Westfield and now encompasses an eclectic mix of furniture, rugs, lighting, craft, gifts, jewelry, and home accessories.

Menapace, Curtis and Marner met with designer and HGTV star Gorder the following day. Gorder is the host of 'Dear Genevieve,' a judge on 'HGTV Design Star' and a former designer for 'Trading Spaces and Town Haul.'

"Genevieve Gorder - an absolute delight," Curtis said. "Lovely person. Gorgeous.  Was completely hands-on in designing her line of rugs herself. She spent quite a bit of time with us and was just fun and real."

Gorder was in High Point launching her new line of woven area rugs for Capel Rugs. Gorder personally reviewed all of her new designs with the Farmhouse Store group and told them of her inspirations for each design. 

The Farmhouse Store will be carrying Gorder’s rugs. The group feels they will be a great complement to the line of Amish-built reclaimed barn wood dining tables and furniture carried by the Farmhouse Store.

The Farmhouse Store is located at 221 East Broad Street in Westfield. More information can be found on the web at www.thefarmhousestore.com or on Facebook.