By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of High Street Market
Fly Like an Eagle
From Robson’s personal collection, an extra large 48" vintage cast metal wall eagle, $125
Interior designer Kelly Galvin Robson has a love of everything vintage. Her prolific Etsy site is brimming with irresistibly preppy, distinguished home accents-from an old set of German framed bird prints to cocktail glasses, Vera linens, milk glass, a vintage large brass horse head door knocker, McCoy pottery and more. If you are a fan of the AMC series Mad Men (the Golden-Globe winning series which depicts the lives of a group of Madison Avenue advertising executives in the ‘60s) then you will fall in love with High Street Market’s uber-chic retro collection. “I love the Philadelphia area, and I just love the creativity here among the design community. When I worked for a very high profile interior design firm in L.A., our clients always challenged us to find these amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces. They were not interested in hiring us for a living room that ended up filled with mass produced items. Every day there was the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of discovering special items for their home,” explained Robson.
But, Robson, an Orange County native, found the scarce amount of L.A. flea markets impossible to source regularly for those perfect vintage treasures. So when she and her husband moved to Bucks County a little over a year ago, she was thrilled. “I love how easily I can go to a bunch of flea markets and antique stores in one afternoon here. It was not that convenient in L.A., they were not that prolific and just working through the traffic was nuts! The Philadelphia suburbs are a treasure trove for me as a designer.”
Robson scours suburban Philadelphia flea markets regularly for great treasures for her booming Etsy shop.
Robson’s prices are also very competitive, substantially less than a local antique store. “Keeping my price (points) at a certain level has been the key. I could raise my prices but then I would be losing my customers and not offering the great value that High Street is known for,” explained Robson. And Robson’s taste has a charming country feel-in a mod Ralph Lauren way. She emphasizes that, in the current economy, clients don’t want to take risks with home design and prefer to keep it classic. “I know what I like and I have been in this business long enough to know what will stand the test of time for a home. I do like a little bit of an edge with my home accents—classic pieces with detail, interesting color palettes, something that makes a statement,” explained Robson.
One of the best parts of High Street Market’s line is her comprehensive collection of vintage Vera table linens (not to be confused with known designer Vera Bradley) which she will be circling back into her Etsy store come spring. Vera Neumann started designing linens during World War II—and is best known for her bold table linens and striking silk scarves. Neumann was an artist turned textile designer who created a booming business with her husband and who once employed designer Perry Ellis. “I adore Vera’s line-it is so timeless. She has these bright bold colors, geometric patterns and graphic images that are so appealing.”
Large sized pink depression glass square serving bowl on a pedestal, $56
Etsy Site: highstreetmarket.etsy.com
Started on Etsy: April 28, 2008
Price Range: $18 and up
Sales on Etsy: 1,942
Current Items for Sale: 134
Blog: www.highstreetmarket.blogspot.com
Email: highstreetmarket@gmail.com
Hometown: Orange County, Los Angeles
Current Residence: Bucks County
Age: 27
Occupation: Interior Designer
Undergrad: American History, University of San Diego
Graduate: Interior Design, UCLA
Freelance Interior Design Consulting Business: Kelly Robson Design
The Name: Robson and her husband lived on High Street in the Lehigh Valley for a few months when they first landed on the East Coast, thus the name inspired her Etsy shop, High Street Market.
Blog Love: If you want to find some amazing design inspiration, just take some time to visit Robson’s blog, highstreetmarket.blogspot.com. From a shout out to fellow Etsians who just landed commercial deals with a Robson retail favorite Urban Outfitters, to her personal win at landing a stunning Windsor Chair at a yard sale, Kelly has created a warm and welcoming space filled with constant inspiration, whimsy and breathtaking taste.
Vintage Frog Box, $34
Robson suggests this is perfect for keeping taller items together (like q-tips in the bathroom, or business cards in the office).
Thanks for the Memories: “When I was growing up, my grandparents entertained in such style. When we would go over to their house in Orange County at Christmas, and everything was meticulously set up-the ice bucket on the wet bar, the different dishes to hold the condiments. Everything was sterling or silver plated and everyone was allowed to use them, the children included. We have these amazing wine glasses in my family that were inherited from my great grandmother; they are stunning and a family heirloom, of course. But, we use them all the time. There is never a second thought about saving them for a ‘special occasion.’ It’s something I just believe in, making use of these wonderful objects.”
L.A. Confidential: Robson hails from Los Angeles, and brings a wealth of design experience as she worked for one of the premiere interior designers, who shall remain nameless, in the city of lights. She is still retained on a consulting basis with them.
Movie Buff: “When I watch a movie, I am obsessed with the set décor. I find myself not paying attention to the storyline sometimes because I’m too enamored with the vintage wall paper or the wicker furniture on the porch! I am always looking for inspiration and paying attention to details and design.”
Robson’s Etsy Favorites:
13 Bees (“This gal used to work for Gucci, now she sells vintage clothing on Etsy.”)
Virginia Geiger Jewels (“Perfect wedding accessories!”)
Alicia Bock (“I am a huge fan of her photography.”)
The Leather Store (“Handmade leather handbags…gorgeous!”)
Dog Art Studio (“Custom dog portraits…so darn cute!”)
Publisher’s Pick: Vintage black Halls ironstone ball jug pitcher, $48
Mad Taste: Robson’s taste, although classic, is also very en vogue at the moment as the popular AMC series Mad Men has inspired a resurgence of interest in all things ‘60s. Think Sinatra in his heyday and what Ol’ Blue Eyes would be reaching for at his living room bar…come happy hour.
Future Plans: “I love having my Etsy shop, but maybe a few years down the road I would love to develop my blog into my ‘virtual’ brick and mortar store. That is what everyone is doing in L.A.; they are always on the cutting edge of what is working in business. I have customers who come to me for freelance design consultation and then buy on my Etsy shop—and they are from all over the United States. That is the new wave of commerce and the way business is headed, especially in interior design. You can’t limit yourself to a geographic region and it’s just better business not to-my customers from Etsy have been from Austin, Texas, Australia, New York City, and San Francisco. Make the world your client base! That is the beauty of Etsy…and beyond.”
A full selection of Kelly Galvin Robson’s collection can be found on her Etsy store, highstreetmarket.etsy.com. Kelly’s decorating tips and trends are available on her blog: www.highstreetmarket.blogspot.com
Know a great Etsy vendor that’s based in the Delaware Valley? Send us their link for consideration for our Etsy Phavorites series. Contact: info@aroundmainline.com
