Spring Inspiration: An Interview with Parris Flea Market
I recently sat down with my friends Jess Parris and Katherine Gould, the owners of Parris Flea Market to get to know them and the inspiration behind their joint venture as vintage collectors and curators!
What is your favorite heirloom piece in your home and why?
Jess: This a tricky one...but I would have to list a couple of items...the midcentury dresser from my paternal grandparents' home that is now enjoyed by another generation in their great grandson's room and a Franco Albini rattan ottoman that was my maternal grandmother's.
Katherine: I loved Heyward's (my husband) grandmother so much and she gave us our wedding silver that belonged to her parents. They were married in 1910, the same year the silver pattern was made. It has a "N" engraved on it, which stood for her mother's maiden name, Nelson.
What is your go to design book, dish to prepare, scented candle, hostess gift?
Jess:
design book: I am a bibliophine so it is really tough to choose just one...however my latest favorite is A Tale of Interiors by Pierce and Ward. They too are self taught and combine the whimsical, lived in, maximalist style that I am so drawn to.
dish: Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken in the Fall and anything with tomatoes and basil in the summer!
candle: British Expedition by Charles Farris London
go to hostess gift: A bottle of wine and irreverent cocktail napkins (A'mano carries some great ones) or flowers in a vintage vase
Katherine:
dish: I love making chicken pot pie. My family loves it and it's a great comfort food to give to friends. My hack is to make individual ones in muffin tins using biscuit dough. So easy to reheat for individual servings.
candle: I can't find the name of it, but whatever the Grand Bohemian in Mountain Brook burns in the lobby-makes me feel like I'm on vacation!
go to hostess gift: If I have time, I love to gift spiced pecans. A hostess always needs something to throw in a bowl for guests!
If you could have dinner with one historical figure and one celebrity, who would you choose?
Jess: Historical figure would be any of the Lost Generation artists living in Paris in the 20s; Celebrity would be Dan Levy. I adore everything he does!
Katherine: That's a tough one, but I think the suffragists. I admire brave women and can't imagine the courage that took. Celebrity- How about a young Pierce Brosnan-he's just fun to look at and I'd love to hear about his time as a carny!
How did your passion for vintage and antiques begin?
Jess: I have always loved art and design and while I was never formally trained in interior design, it is a passion for me. My mother and grandmother taught me to appreciate well-made, storied pieces over mass produced ones and as I grew older I learned to relish the backgrounds of the treasures that had been passed down from one family to the next. That coupled with my background in visual merchandising results in a constantly evolving look around our house...I'm always rearranging and shopping my own home or adding a newly found prize!
Katherine: When my sister first moved to NYC, she furnished her apartment with amazing vintage items found at estate sales and thrift stores. When most people go to NYC, they go to shows. I would go to thrifts!
What playlist/album is playing while you work?
Jess: I love a good mix...there really isn't a genre I don't enjoy, but Brandi Carlile is a go-to...if I'm cooking or entertaining I like to have Miles Davis or something cool and instrumental like Khruangbin on in the background.
Katherine: I'm currently loving Rising Appalachia-girl power! My all time favorite is Ben Harper.
If you weren't curating vintage treasures, what would you be doing?
Jess: Working in an Art Museum or owning a book shoppe.
Katherine: I'd be at my full time job organizing outreach efforts at church or selling treasures for charity!
Current and historical artists that you admire?
Jess: As far as painters, I really love Helen Frankenthaler's abstract pieces. We have a lovely one of hers at the BMA. I also really enjoy the works of David Hockney, Kehinde Wiley and I recently stumbled upon the works of Florine Stettheimer and love her use of color!
Katherine: I’m a Matisse fan and really love original pieces by so many undiscovered artists.
What is your dream for your business?
Jess: Katherine and I are having so much fun connecting a new generation of collectors to these special pieces. So that is definitely a dream come true. I dream of having a little shop somewhere that would ideally double as an indie book shop decorated with our vintage wares.
Katherine: I'd love to be able to store and ship larger finds and offer in person shopping!
What is your favorite vintage find to date? Is there a story tied to it?
Jess: My favorite vintage find to date would be an unfinished portrait of a woman by Arthur Bairnsfather that I scored at his family’s estate sale. He was an amazing portrait artist who moved to Birmingham after living and working in NYC and his portrait of George Washington Carver is in the BMA’s collection.
Katherine: I love finding art by a listed artist. I've found several and it's so fun to come home and start researching to discover the history.
Just for fun! A game of “either/or” with Jess and Katherine!
pie or cake?
Jess: Cake! The Essential's Carrot Cake is at the top of the list.
Katherine: Hershey bar pie!
snail mail or phone call?
Jess: Snail mail! In this day and age is there anything more delightful than receiving a handwritten letter?
Katherine: Snail mail for sure. I'm not one to enjoy talking on the phone and I appreciate the effort it takes to write a letter.
great outdoors or great museum?
Jess: I do love to be outside but a great museum is always going to pull me in.
Katherine: Outdoors for sure-especially near the sounds of a creek or the ocean!
tiny details or big statements?
Jess: Tiny details. Whether it's mixing textures and materials in your home, the piping on a pillow or the small souvenir from a favorite vacation sitting on your coffee table. They really elevate the overall design of a space and let your personality shine through even more. Kind of like the perfect pair of earrings with a dress.
Katherine: I can lose myself on the details. I think they make the big statement!
margarita or martini?
Jess: Margarita, on the rocks with salt!
Katherine: Can I choose Bubbly! when I hear a cork pop, I'm in!
Learn more about Jess and Katherine and Parris Flea Market on Instagram @parris.flea.market where you can find a sale every Tuesday night or on their website https://parrisfleamarket.com!
