From their eclectic shop in the quaint village of Millerton, NY, Kent Hunter and Jonathan Bee curate a quirky and ever-changing collection of vintage and antique goods that cross myriad styles and periods of design. Hunter and Bee, a former creative director and multi-media installation artist respectively, have merged their creative beginnings with their passion for antiques, and have developed an eye that locals and those in the know have come to rely upon.
On any given day, visitors to Hunter Bee will find industrial objects, ceramics, glassware, marionettes and chairs to suit any style arranged into thoughtful vignettes designed to inspire. ASPIRE Metro spoke with Hunter about the business of antiquing and giving new life to previously loved goods.
• How did this become your business of choice?
It was an inevitable result from years of collecting and flea marketing. Our basement was finally impassable.
• What makes the antiques business exciting and challenging?
The “thrill of the hunt” is definitely the fun part. We’re always looking for the next great (old) thing. Then, bringing it into the shop and creating visual stories that excite our customers is the next step. The challenge is finding too many of that great thing. We try to sell items quickly so we can bring in more and keep the mix fresh.
• Do you have specific destinations you love for antiques?
We’re lucky to be in a part of the country known for estate sales and good auctions. Plus, after several years in business, people now come to us to offer family treasures they’re willing to part with.
• Do things like popular movies, TV shows, runway shows or politics spark trends in the antiques business?
Of course. We’re all surrounded by lifestyle images in the media that drive trends. Mixed styles is a definite trend, so vintage items work nicely with almost any interior. Midcentury American modern is still popular, but we’re excited about Italian and Brazilian designs from the ‘70s and even ‘80s.
• Have you noticed an increased interest in handmade and antique furnishings?
I think people do appreciate the art of handcrafted studio furniture and love owning something unique, plus supporting local artists. We’ve met wonderfully talented furniture makers and sold some beautiful pieces.
• How has the Internet changed the nature of your business?
It’s a wonderful way to research and learn about furniture and design history. It’s been a great tool for us in that way.
• How do you know if a piece will sell?
We’ve learned a lot about what works and doesn’t work for our customers, but we still try to mix in funky and unusual accent pieces to give a home personality.
• Can a client hire you to hunt down a specific type of piece for them?
We will gladly be on the lookout for special requests. One of our favorite customers wanted “instant ancestor” portraits for her mantel. I found a very serious looking man and woman that she loved.
• What advice would you give to a first-time seller of antiques?
Good question. We sort of just dove into the deep end of the pool and learned a lot by trial and error. That said, as a dealer and shopkeeper, you must have a passion for design and love sharing it with customers. We’ve gotten people started on collections and made great friends along the way.
• What changes do you expect to see in the antiques trade in the next 5 years?
I hope a new, younger generation discovers the fun and value of collecting vintage design.
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