And George
Discover why interior designer Austin Varner considers this shop, owned by the mother-daughter team of Jan Roden and Christy Ford, one of her favorite resources.
Editor’s Note: Today we welcome guest writer Austin Varner, a New York-based interior designer and native Memphian. She was also a recent StyleBlueprint Face of Memphis. From a NYC vantage point, Austin has an endless number of design sources. Today, she shares an interview with one of her favorite shop owners, Christy Ford of And George. Make this store a must-see place if you find yourself in Charlottesville, Virginia, or shop online with And George at Taigan.
Austin:
As an interior designer, it is invaluable to discover a source that you can always count on for having a unique, yet “livable” product. For me, And George is such a place. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, And George is owned by a mother-daughter team that shares a love for all things beautiful. Here’s what daughter Christy Ford had to say about the journey with her mother to find the perfect balance of their styles in one shop.
How did you and your mother decide to go into business together?
We never “planned” on opening a store together. It just happened. I was working as a photographer in New York and mom as a designer in DC. We had always travelled together and shopped, but that was the extent of it. Then one day, quite serendipitously, we fell in love with the space (now And George). It was too perfect to pass up. It had been newly renovated, already had the beautiful seagrass rugs. Within six weeks we moved to Virginia and opened the store.
I love the name of your shop. Who is George?
George was my English bulldog, who was always at the store, until he recently passed away. When we were trying to come up with a name for the shop, it was my husband who had the brilliant idea of naming it “And George,” since it was always the three of us (mom, myself, and George) at the store.
You always have such special pieces in the store. What key pieces do you look for on buying trips?
While my mother and I share a similar taste, I am more modern, while she is more traditional. This allows us to create a more diverse collection of products, which reaches more clients than a singular taste would. Our motto while buying for the store is to “buy what we love.” Our mindset is more personal than economic, leading us to buy for ourselves, rather than to just buy what will sell.
What trends/styles are you currently focusing on for both your store and your home?
I find that there are fewer and fewer antiques out there. It seems as if the same vendors are around and there aren’t a lot of new things to discover. This year, I am focusing on creating unique and comfortable spaces. Things are starting to look the same. And we at And George strive to keep it different. My goal is to focus on unique vendors. For my own home, I am really excited about art. I am looking for big, huge, abstract pieces. I prefer fewer, bigger pieces to make an impact.
Design tips?
(1) Start with a monochromatic base. Neutral slip covers and upholstery are nice, allowing you to have seasonal design with your accents. For instance, you can use mohair pillows in the winter and more linen and pattern in the summer. (2) The busier life gets, the simpler you want your surroundings to be.
Thank you to Christy, Jan and Austin!
To learn more about And George, visit them online at www.andgeorge.com or follow Christy in one of her newest ventures, thescoutguide.com, a network of city guides started by Christy and her longtime friend Susie Matheson.
Follow Austin online at varnerinteriors.com and on her blog, postomedia.com.
