Explore The Special Finds Inside A New Connecticut Antique Shop

Giving new life to a past venture, antiques dealer Ali Mahon has opened The Barns on the property of her home in Riverside, Connecticut. Here, Mahon tells us all about this one-of-a-kind, expertly curated project.

How did you get started? I collected and sold early American painted furniture and folk art, but I also worked as a designer and quickly realized that it’s all about the mix. You can’t have a home full of the same thing. I started adding French and Swedish pieces and, 20 years later, I’ve acquired a lot of beautiful furniture, art, jewelry and textiles.

What do you collect? I love Nantucket Lightship baskets, and when I find a great one, I’m thrilled. I also love chairs—anything from a simple Windsor to a slipper chair covered in the fanciest fabric. You can almost never have too many.

What are you on the hunt for? I’m always on the lookout for midcentury oil paintings, because those pieces mix so well with many styles. I also love a wish list and searching for a specific piece for a client. It gives me focus!

What’s next? I’m trying to reach people who can’t easily get to Riverside. I’ve got The Barns e-commerce up and running, and I’m attending sale events in New York, like the recent Ticking Tent in Williamsburg, to be closer to people in the city.