The New Victorian Ruralist – Finderkeepers Market storefront
A POST BY GUEST CONTRIBUTOR and REPORTER: Courtney Fischer
The best decision James Snowden has ever made was to leave his job as public librarian. When he did, this happened. Finderskeepers Market is one of the best-kept secrets in Lexington, Kentucky design. It’s a world where farmhouse meets loft, modern meets rustic, rough meets soft. And I’m embarrassed to say, I was late to the party.
But now that I’ve entered this world, I’m not sure I want to leave.
Blame me? Snowden calls his style New Victorian Ruralist: a moody mix that plays with unexpected combinations. Dark woods with Lucite. Cold lamps and warm candlelight. Funky next to stuffy. It works. When Snowden decorates a room, he says he’s not only thinking about what’s easy to look at, he’s thinking: what’s easy to live with. The homeowner should continue falling in love with the room—continue discovering new moments, new functions for the room.
What I love about Finderskeepers are the unexpected moments happening throughout the store. Just two rooms make up the space, but it’s easy to spend hours absorbing Snowden’s world. Taking in what’s happening in every nook, noticing details you only see after stealing a second look.
Something as simple as ripping up paper tickets to nestle a favorite candle in a glass vase didn’t seem so obvious until today. How does he dream up this stuff? Snowden’s advice to any amateur decorator: there are no rules, and never forget a sense of play.
I’m not sure you could come up with a better example of that advice than a glowing squirrel. I’m now convinced I need to own this.
A theme I’ve noticed through the store: finding the masculine in hard shapes and stiff furniture, and softening it with plush fabrics, pillows, and lighting. Snowden says he’s seen a lot of design moving that way—clients are enjoying rooms (and asking him to design them) with cold, angular shapes, but at the same time wanting a cozy atmosphere for the family.
And don’t be afraid of color.
Snowden discovers a lot of these great finds in antique markets across the country. But so much of the look comes with finding the perfect corner—creating the perfect arrangement—to let the piece shine on it’s own. The collection of antique scissors pops when it’s put on the top of this glass shelf, filled with glass candleholders, vases, and juice glasses. A heavy object, floating in space.
Grabbed these last few photos from Snowden’s blog.
Snowden’s style shows when you have balance, you have strong design. His playful ideas bend the rules, making Finderskeepers Market an inspiring place to shop create. Thankful to have an eye like his in Lexington.
* Many thanks to Lexington, KY Reporter COURTNEY FISCHER for submitting this fabulous post! Find Courtney on Facebook and Twitter! And: James Snowden: The New Victorian Ruralist and Finderskeepers Market here.
