Available Items is a design store and gallery situated in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley. Husband-and-wife design industry veterans Chad Phillips and Kristin Coleman created their space to include a curated mix of vintage and modern furniture, objects and art, as well as an extensive selection of books and magazines about architecture, design and the decorative arts.
When and how was Available Items founded?
Kristin Coleman: We opened Available Items in the summer of 2022. We had been living in the Hudson Valley for two years and wanted to put down deeper roots. After tossing around all kinds of business ideas and visiting commercial spaces to get a sense of the possibilities, our friends sent us the listing for a building on the main street of Tivoli (one of our favorite towns and a five-minute drive from where we live). It was a charming two-story house built around 1900 that was zoned for mixed use.
Chad Phillips: As a long-time retail person, I always wanted to open my own store and loved the idea of operating a retail space inside a house, where we could showcase contemporary design mixed with special vintage pieces we’d been collecting. And so we did!
What is your favorite part about working together?
KC: We both love to object hunt. Whether it’s rummaging through dusty old book barns, stumbling into vintage shops on our travels or finding that one special piece at a local estate sale.
CP: We’re also both drawn to things that are quirky, cheeky and surprising but well-crafted, so it’s nice to speak the same visual language.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
CP: Literally everywhere.
KC: Magazines, Instagram, traveling, staying in well-designed hotels, visiting artist and designer studios, friends’ houses and so many old books.
How does your work inform your personal and professional lives?
KC: The thing about running your own business (especially if it’s with your partner) is there’s very little separation.
CP: When we’re not open, we’re always doing something behind the scenes, whether it’s updating the website, visiting artist studios, drafting content for our next newsletter, photographing new products, schlepping furniture, painting. We’re never not painting!
This or That…
WALK OR RUN?
KC: Walk. Even though our life can be fast-paced at times, living in the Hudson Valley has taught us to slow down and enjoy the view.
SUNRISE OR SUNSET?
CP: Sunset. Only one of us is an early riser.
LIVE MUSIC OR LIVE THEATER?
CP: Live music. We’re both music junkies with eclectic tastes and bonded (ok, flirted) over Instagram while sharing Spotify playlists when we first met.
RAIN OR SNOW?
KC: Rain. We love the look of fresh snow and watching our dog roll in it, but we hate shoveling!
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